OSHA to states: Protect workers from COVID or forfeit authority

Modernhealthcare ^ | 10/22/21

[Libloather]

In a rare move, federal labor officials have threatened to take over three states’ workplace safety programs because they failed to adopt emergency COVID-19 rules to protect healthcare workers.

That admonition, labor advocates say, also serves as a thinly veiled warning that resisting the forthcoming federal vaccine mandate for most healthcare workers and employees at large companies likewise could cost states their regulatory power over workplace safety.

“This is definitely an effort to send a message that [the Occupational Safety and Health Administration] is going to take any defiance of the next standard very seriously,” said Jordan Barab, who served as OSHA’s deputy assistant secretary of labor during the Obama administration and now writes a blog about workplace safety issues.

Earlier this month, OSHA sent the White House a proposed rule that would require companies with 100 or more employees to mandate vaccination or regular testing. President Joe Biden has called for an expedited rulemaking process, and some labor experts think the agency could publish the new rule any day. The mandate would take effect immediately.

OSHA’s crackdown on Arizona, South Carolina and Utah is based on the agency’s June emergency standard for healthcare workers that included requirements for physical distancing, cleaning, physical barriers, personal protective equipment, ventilation and other protections. Most states fell under that emergency rule automatically, but 21 states maintain their own workplace safety agencies for private sector employers. Those states must meet or exceed OSHA standards.

The feds say Arizona, South Carolina and Utah have failed the “at least as effective” test by refusing to match their standards to the new federal rule.

**SNIP**

“But their continued refusal is a failure to maintain their state plan commitment to thousands of workers in their state.”

[cuz1961]

emergency COVID-19 rules

/\

What emergency?

Covid survival rate is north of 99 %

What ‘ rules’

OSHA just recently submitted their

SUGGESTIONS

for review .

Weasels.

[meatloaf]

West Virginia, a non-OSHA state, isn’t one of the three. Hmmm?

[sarge83]

Exactly arrest them and any federal law enforcement and tell the feds if you want a Constitutional crisis you are about to get one of your own making. If a federal judge gets involved take the Andrew Jackson approach, you made your decision, enforce it, if they live in the state arrest them for abuse of power. The states are reaching a tipping point, either be states or royal estates for Washington DC elite to be looted, plundered and stomped on at their leisure.

The federal government is crazy out of control, eventually when dealing with a mentally disturbed person you have to tell them no for your safety and their own and control their lunacy or they will destroy you and themselves.

[exnavy]

Yes, well said. And i am in position to do so, i just retired from my production job, i am considering going into law enforcement. Qualifications, i am a very good shot with my revolver and rifle.