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Find the latest information on the Coronavirus outbreak in Utah, including public health measures, contact information, news updates, and more.

Utah receives a warning for not complying with federal OSHA standards

Mier Chen
/
Unsplash

Utah is one of three states to receive a warning from the U.S. Labor Department regarding their failure to comply with COVID-19 rules.

The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) said Utah is not adopting and enforcing the standards outlined by the federal agency to protect health care workers. These standards include safety requirements such as personal protective equipment and social distancing when working with COVID-19 patients, as well as paid sick leave for employees who contract COVID-19 or who need to get the vaccine.

In response, Governor Cox released a statement asserting that Utah’s plan is as effective as the federal program without placing an unfair burden on the healthcare industry to pay employees’ sick leave. He requested the opportunity to discuss and negotiate federal expectations.

Caroline Long is a science reporter at UPR. She is curious about the natural world and passionate about communicating her findings with others. As a PhD student in Biology at Utah State University, she spends most of her time in the lab or at the coyote facility, studying social behavior. In her free time, she enjoys making art, listening to music, and hiking.