worker safety News

Ford Halts Production at Southern India Plant as COVID-19 Cases Surge

CHENNAI – Ford Motor Co. said it will halt production at its car plant in India’s southern state of Tamil Nadu after workers staged a lunchtime sit-in protest on Thursday, demanding leave and health benefits, as the country battles the …

Ag Groups Upset with Washington Governor for Farm Worker Rules

Some top agriculture groups are upset with Washington Gov. Jay Inslee because farm workers were not covered in last week’s announcement that fully vaccinated employees do not have to wear a mask or socially distance at work. Inslee also recently …

Renault-Nissan Shuts South India Plant Until May 30 on COVID Safety Concerns

CHENNAI – Automaker Renault-Nissan will shut its plant in India’s southern Tamil Nadu state until May 30, according to an internal note and two sources familiar with the matter, a day after workers said they would strike over coronavirus-related safety …

Many Workers Begin to Return to Offices Transformed by COVID Safety Innovations

Masked, desk-bound and unable to recognize their colleagues in an elevator, people are starting to return to offices in cities around the world where the pandemic is receding. Many will find their offices transformed, too. In the challenge to make …

California Aiming to Ease Virus Rules for Workers in Mid-June

California workforce regulators will aim for a mid-June easing of workplace mask and social distancing requirements to conform with a broader state order, postponing a vote on whether to revise coronavirus safety rules for employees. Cal/OSHA’s staff said it would …

Renault-Nissan, Hyundai Face Factory Closures in India over Workers’ COVID-19 Fears

CHENNAI, India – Automakers Renault, its alliance partner Nissan Motor Co. and Hyundai Motor Co. face temporary factory closures in India due to growing unrest among workers concerned about rising COVID-19 infections. Workers at Renault-Nissan’s car plant in the southern …

Cal/OSHA Cites Foster Farms, Staffing Agencies for COVID-19 Violations

Cal/OSHA has cited Foster Poultry Farms Inc. in Livingston, Calif., and four staffing agencies for not protecting workers from COVID-19. Cal/OSHA opened its inspection after receiving notification that an employee had died from COVID-19 complications, and subsequently determined that Foster …

Washington Issues New Workplace Masking Guidelines

The Washington Department of Labor & Industries has updated state COVID-19 workplace safety and health guidance to help employers adapt masking policies to meet new CDC guidelines adopted by Gov. Jay Inslee. The updated guidance details steps employers must take …

Washington Creates New Farmworker Safety Team

The Washington state Department of Labor and Industries is creating a new team aimed at improving farmworker safety. When fully staffed, the agriculture compliance unit will create 16 new positions, the Yakima Herald reported. Thirteen of those posts will focus …

California Legislature Oks Bill Requiring Hospitality Businesses to Rehire Displaced Workers

Now that Gov. Gavin Newsom is letting more businesses reopen as coronavirus cases decline, the California Legislature on has passed a bill requiring some hotels, stadiums other hospitality companies to offer laid-off workers their jobs back. Hospitality companies were some …