US Labor Department warns 3 GOP states over COVID rules

[Eugene]

Source: Associated Press

PHOENIX (AP) — The Biden administration threatened Tuesday to revoke the authority for three Republican-controlled states to handle their own workplace safety enforcement because they have refused to adopt rules to protect health care workers from COVID-19.

The threats were sent to Arizona, South Carolina and Utah as the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration prepares to adopt much more far-reaching vaccination and testing rules affecting 80 million Americans. In nearly half the states, it will have to rely on state labor regulators for enforcement.

OSHA officials say Arizona, South Carolina and Utah are not complying with their promises to enforce labor standards that are at least as good as those adopted by the federal government.

At issue is a rule requiring personal protective equipment, social distancing and other safety measures for workers at health care facilities that care for people with COVID-19. It also requires paid sick time for employees who contract COVID-19, need to get vaccinated or are dealing with vaccine side effects.

-snip-

By JONATHAN J. COOPER
an hour ago


Read more: https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-business-arizona-south-carolina-utah-bfdeb60f777646bbe665a9f92f371699

[elleng]

1. because they have refused to adopt rules to protect health care workers from COVID-19.

[ChazInAz]

2. What do you expect from Arizona?

Employers blissfully ignore all OSHA regulations.
I was injured enough times by workplace violations to know that they don't worry about them.
"Right To Work" state, y'know.