No images? Click here OSHA Reverses Guidance on Recording Adverse Vaccine ReactionPreviously, OSHA issued guidance stating employers that require workers to receive Covid-19 vaccinations may need to record adverse reactions in the workplace illness logs they are required to share with the federal government. However, DOL and OSHA, as well as other federal agencies, are working diligently to encourage COVID-19 vaccinations. In response to that effort, OSHA did not wish to have any appearance of discouraging workers from receiving COVID-19 vaccination, and also did not wish to disincentivize employers’ vaccination efforts. As a result, OSHA will not enforce 29 CFR 1904’s recording requirements to require any employers to record worker side effects from COVID-19 vaccination through May 2022. OSHA has relayed they will reevaluate the agency’s position at that time to determine the best course of action moving forward. Read the new policy HERE. OSHA Proposes Updates to Clarify Handrail, Stair Rail System Requirements in General Industry Walking-Working Surfaces StandardOn Thursday, May 20, OSHA announced it is proposing updates in the handrail and stair rail system requirements for its general industry, Walking-Working Surfaces standard. OSHA published a final rule on walking-working surfaces and personal protective equipment in November 2016 that updated requirements for slip, trip and fall hazards. The agency has received numerous questions asking when handrails are required, and about the height requirements for handrails on stairs and stair rail systems. This proposed rule does not reopen for discussion any of the regulatory decisions made in the 2016 rulemaking. It focuses solely on clarifying some of the requirements for handrails and stair rail systems finalized in 2016, and on providing flexibility in the transition to OSHA’s newer requirements. Comments on these proposals are due by July 19, 2021. Critics of OSHA Virus Rule Urge White House to Ditch RulemakingRepublican lawmakers and business groups are increasing pressure on the Biden administration to abandon efforts to develop an emergency workplace safety rule for Covid-19, calling a nationwide rulemaking unjustified given the vaccination campaign’s steady progress. The latest resistance to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s emergency temporary standard (ETS) comes as the White House’s formal review of the rule is now in its fifth week, a far longer period of analysis than worker advocates had anticipated. The White House Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) has booked at least 43 meetings with interest groups, even though the emergency rulemaking process doesn’t require public outreach. Read more HERE. GCCA Joins Other Food and Agriculture Associations in Expressing Concerns With The Country of Origin Labeling Online Act (COOL Act) On Wednesday, May 26, 2021, GCCA joined other food and agriculture associations in sending a letter to Democratic leadership expressing concerns with the Country of Origin Labeling Online Act (COOL Act), an amendment in the U.S. Innovation and Competition Act, (S. 1260) that would require retailers and sellers to include country of origin information in product descriptions on their websites. As written, the COOL Act would be unworkable for food retailers, could trigger potential retaliatory tariffs on an array of products, and could expand the scope of origin labeling to products offered on the internet not subject to the mandatory COOL statute administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). As an alternative, the coalition letter expresses support for Senator Boozman’s (R-AR) amendment to the U.S. Innovation and Competition Act, which would exempt covered commodities and meat and poultry products from the online COOL mandate. Read more HERE. Register for GCCA's Advocacy Update - June 3 at 11 am ET. Join GCCA’s Cold Chain Essentials Digital Learning Series for our monthly update on Government and Industry Affairs. Each month, we’ll focus on the latest developments from Washington, D.C. impacting the cold chain, including congressional legislation and regulatory actions from federal agencies. We’ll also update you on GCCA advocacy initiatives that we’re undertaking on your behalf. Of course, there will be plenty of time for your questions. Register HERE. Call to Action: Nominate a Cold Chain Champion Do you have a colleague who you believe performs exceptional work and deserves special recognition? We are highlighting our members and their achievements on social media. Nominate yourself, your company, or your colleague for a chance to be spotlighted as a #ColdChainChampion! Submit nominations, a short explanation, and a photo to Rachael Oury at roury@gcca.org. |