News
Beaches Close in Maryland, Delaware and Virginia as Needles Wash Ashore
September 16, 2024
Beachgoers were urged to stay out of the water after dozens of hypodermic needles,
as well as tampon applicators and other medical waste, were found on beaches
over the weekend.
Fact Sheet 42 CFR
Part 2 Final Rule
February 8, 2024
On February 8, 2024, the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the Office for Civil Rights announced a final rule modifying the Confidentiality of Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Patient Records regulations at 42 CFR part 2 (“Part 2”). With this final rule, HHS is implementing the confidentiality provisions of section 3221 of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act - PDF (enacted March 27, 2020), which require the Department to align certain aspects of Part 2 with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) Rules and the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act (HITECH).
Department of Labor announces final rule updating the Hazard Communication Standard to better protect workers, first responders
May 20, 2024
The Department of Labor today announced a final rule from its Occupational Safety and Health Administration that will update the current Hazard Communication Standard to better protect workers by improving the amount and quality of information on labels and safety data sheets and allow workers
and first responders to react more quickly in an emergency. The updates take effect on July 19, 2024.
OSHA civil penalty amounts adjusted for 2024
January 11, 2024
The U.S. Department of Labor announced changes to Occupational Safety and Health Administration civil penalty amounts based on cost-of-living adjustments for 2024.
OSHA Forms Alliances with Organizations to Improve Workplace Safety and Health in Healthcare
February 7, 2024
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has announced that five organizations and businesses nationwide have signed or renewed alliance agreements with OSHA to provide workers with access to accurate and up-to-date information on their legal and fundamental rights, and guidance and training resources on workplace safety and health.
US Department of Labor issues final rule to clarify rights to employee representation during OSHA inspections.
March 29, 2024
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today published a final rule clarifying the rights of employees to authorize a representative to accompany an Occupational Safety and Health Administration compliance officer during an inspection of their workplace.
​Spurgin & Associates expands services and offerings to customers of all sizes.
July 7, 2020
​Spurgin & Associates expands services and offerings to customers of all sizes. Check out my website! You'll find information on services from permitting to engineering to compliance to equipment. There's a News You Can Use section with short articles and videos on a range of topics. Help for your company whether you're in the Fortune 500 or Fortunate Small Businesses that drive our economy. You're neither too big nor too small to help you navigate the world of waste. Check it out and get in touch!
CDC Reports Case Based Mortality Figures for Covid19.
July 10, 2020
CDC Reports Case Based Mortality Figures for Covid19. Note the excerpt below and the full article that follows. Have questions? Let me know!
Case-based surveillance
Demographic and clinical data about COVID-19 cases are reported to CDC from 50 states, the District of Columbia, New York City, and U.S. territories using a standardized case-report form (case-based surveillance) or in aggregate. Data on 52,166 deaths from 47 jurisdictions among persons with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 were reported individually to CDC via case-based surveillance during February 12–May 18, 2020. Among the 52,166 decedents, 55.4% were male, 79.6% were aged ≥65 years, 13.8% were Hispanic/Latino (Hispanic), 21.0% were black, 40.3% were white, 3.9% were Asian, 0.3% were American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN), 0.1% were Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander (NHPI), 2.6% were multiracial or other race, and race/ethnicity was unknown for 18.0%. Median decedent age was 78 years (interquartile range (IQR) = 67–87 years). ... information about underlying medical conditions was missing for the majority of these decedents (30,725; 58.9%), data regarding medical conditions were not analyzed further..
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How COVID19 is transmitted
June 18, 2020
How COVID19 is transmitted. CDC Update June 16. Let me know if you have questions or need assistance!
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