OSHA Updated Guidance for COVID-19 Prevention in the Workplace

At the same time that OSHA released an emergency temporary standard (ETS) to protect healthcare workers from COVID-19; it also released updated guidance for general industries, entitled “Protecting Workers: Guidance on Mitigating and Preventing the Spread of COVID-19 in the Workplace.” This guidance aligns with current Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines and scientific research. It recommends that employers encourage COVID-19 vaccinations, provide ...

OSHA Issues COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standard for Healthcare: Long-Term Care Facilities Must Comply

On June 10, 2021, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued the COVID-19 Healthcare Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS), contained in 29 C.F.R. Part 1910, Subpart U, solely for healthcare employers. Therefore, beginning July 6, 2021, long-term care facilities, including skilled nursing and assisted living facilities, will need to comply with most ETS requirements. The standard addresses workplace COVID-19 hazards not covered by the General Duty Clause or ...

Industry Update: DOEE Mold License Renewal Clarification For Mold Assessment and Remediation Professionals in the District of Columbia (D.C.)

Per the Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE) and in accordance with section 3208.5 of the D.C. Mold Regulation, licensees are required to complete four (4) hours of refresher training no more than two (2) years prior to submission of the application: licensees seeking to renew a District indoor mold assessment or remediation professional license that either have not allowed their license

EPA Announces Strengthened Dust-Lead Hazard Standards To Protect Children from Exposure to Lead-Contaminated Dust

On June 21, 2019, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Andrew Wheeler, along with Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson, announced new, tighter standards for lead in dust on floors and window sills to protect children from the harmful effects of lead exposure. The rule will become effective 180 days after publication in the Federal Register. “EPA is delivering

EPA releases status report of its actions to reduce childhood lead exposures and associated health impacts

In December 2018, EPA Administrator, Andrew Wheeler, made a commitment to develop an EPA implementation plan to enable EPA to track its progress and update the public on its work to carry out the Lead Action Plan. Yesterday, April 1st, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released the Implementation Status Report in carrying out the Lead Action Plan. The Status Report describes EPA’s activities

Trump Administration Unveils Federal Action Plan to Reduce Childhood Lead Exposure

On December 19, 2018, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Acting Administrator Andrew Wheeler, U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Ben Carson, and U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Deputy Secretary Eric Hargan unveiled the Trump Administration’s Federal Lead Action Plan to Reduce Childhood Lead Exposures and Associated Health Impacts (Lead Action Plan). The Action Plan is a blueprint for reducing lead

Industry Updates: Recent DOEE Mold Forum Highlights

On December 10, 2018, the Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE) held its 2nd mold forum for all licensed Mold Assessment and Remediation Professional, as well as training providers. The intention was to address the proposed amendments published by DOEE on September 25, click here, as well as an educational discussion on how to notify DOEE about scheduled mold jobs and the

EPA Enforcement Actions Help Protect Vulnerable Communities from Lead-Based Paint Health Hazards

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today announced 140 federal enforcement actions completed over the last year to ensure that entities like renovation contractors, landlords, property managers, realtors, and others comply with rules that protect the public from exposure to lead from lead-based paint. Exposure to lead dust, chips or debris from lead-based paint can pose serious risks to human health,

Industry Update: DOEE Announces Proposed Amendments to D.C. Mold Regulation

On September 25, the Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE) sent a letter to all licensed Mold Assessment and Remediation professionals notifying them of the proposed amendments to the District of Columbia Mold Assessment and Remediation Regulation. This proposed rulemaking, which was published in the D.C. Register on September 21, “amends the Mold Assessment and Remediation Licensure Regulations in Chapter

District of Columbia Now Accepting Mold Professional Licensing Applications

On April 22 of this year, the Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE) published a final rulemaking of its licensure/certification regulations for mold assessment and mold remediation professionals. These new District of Columbia Mold Assessment and Remediation Regulations specify requirements for when mold in indoor rental properties must be addressed, as well as how to do so. The regulations also