Reopening the economy, keeping workers safe, meat processing worker safety, online dialogue to share your ideas, and more

U.S. Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia joined President Trump and Vice President Pence at the White House yesterday to discuss the Department’s important role in keeping workers safe while reopening the American economy.

OSHA and the CDC released interim guidance for meatpacking and meat processing workers and employers, recommending actions employers can take to reduce the risk of exposure to COVID-19. The Department also released a statement of enforcement policy regarding workplace safety at meat and poultry processing facilities.

All 50 states and the District of Columbia are paying Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation benefits, which provide an additional $600 weekly payment to eligible recipients.

The Department issued guidance on how much paid leave covered employees can take under the Families First Coronavirus Relief Act.

A short video from the Department has guidance on avoiding scammers and fraud related to COVID-19 and unemployment insurance.

The Department launched an online dialogue and is accepting comments through May 7 on safely reopening American workplaces to position the economy for a strong rebound.

• Release: OSHA interim enforcement guidance on reusing disposable N95 filtering face piece respirators that have been decontaminated
• Release: Tri-agency notice providing deadline relief and other guidance for employee benefit plan participants, employers, and others
• Fact Sheet: Answers to common questions about unemployment benefits for student veterans, generally and related to COVID-19
• Video: OSHA guidance on discouraging workers from sharing tools, workspaces, and equipment
• Video: Tips for creating a workplace that supports workers’ mental health
• Video: OSHA guidance on drive-thrus and curbside pickup
• Video: Guidance on eligibility for paid leave related to COVID-19
• Blog: Eight ways to protect meat processing workers from COVID-19

The Department has awarded an additional $30.2 million in dislocated worker grants in response to the coronavirus public health emergency.

A California tire company must pay $2,606 in back wages for refusing to provide paid sick leave to an employee whose healthcare provider advised him to quarantine while awaiting a COVID-19 diagnosis.

A Delaware-based bank and trust company will pay $80 million to 21 employee stock ownership plans and $8 million to the government after investigators found it had caused losses to those plans.

The Department awarded an additional $3.3 million in disaster recovery funds to assist Florida in its response to Hurricane Michael.

The Department awarded 12 recipients for developing innovative proposals to help young people receiving Supplemental Security Income succeed in the workforce.

Two fiduciaries were removed from an Ohio retirement plan after a Department investigation found they broke the law by withholding employee contributions from the plan.

The Department selected five organizations to participate in an initiative to increase competitive integrated employment for people with disabilities.

The Office of Labor-Management Standards is notifying labor organizations about their upcoming Form T-1 reporting obligation, beginning June 4, to help ensure timely filing of annual financial reports.

On Workers’ Memorial Day, Secretary Scalia and OSHA’s Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Loren Sweatt issued a statement reaffirming the Department’s commitment to worker safety and health.

Download OSHA’s coronavirus safety poster listing 10 steps to reduce the risk of workplace exposure to COVID-19 in 12 languages for free.