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OSHA Guidance and Emphasis
Programs for the Cleaning and Facilities Maintenance Industry
February
2012
OSHA reminds employers to post injury/illness summaries beginning Feb. 1.
Employers must post OSHA's Form 300A from Feb. 1 to April 30 in
a common area wherever notices to workers are usually posted. The
summary must list the total numbers of job-related injuries and illnesses
that occurred in 2011. Copies of the OSHA Forms are available for download
from OSHA's Recordkeeping webpage...
January
31 2012
New short videos from OSHA provide training to help inform workers on
the proper use of respirators. The Occupational Safety and
Health Administration has posted a series of 17 videos to help workers
learn about the proper use of respirators on the job. These short
videos, nine in English and eight in Spanish, provide valuable
information to workers in general industry and construction. Topics
include OSHA's Respiratory Standard, respirator use, training,
fit-testing and detecting counterfeit respirators...
January
2012
OSHA publishes Illness and Injury Prevention Programs White Paper
January
2012
OSHA posts Summary Report of Stakeholder Meeting on Preventing
Occupational Hearing Loss
January
2012
OSHA Web page offers information to protect workers during winter storm
response and recovery operations
December
21 2011
OSHA aims to protect workers during winter storms.
October
20 2011
Statement from Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis on reported decline in
workplace injuries and illnesses.
October
17 2011
New small businesses document explains OSHA's respiratory protection
standard.
October
6 2011
OSHA invites interested parties to participate in an informal stakeholder
meeting on preventing occupational hearing loss.
October
6 2011
OSHA to host conversation with stakeholders on occupational hearing loss.
September
15 2011
OSHA launches new Workplace Violence Web Page.
September
9 2011
OSHA issues 2011 annual inspection plan for protecting workers in
high-hazard workplaces.
September
8 2011
OSHA issues compliance directive to address workplace violence.
August
23 2011
US Department of Labor improves enforcement database.
August 2011
New comprehensive OSHA Web page on preventing work-related hearing loss
contains a wealth of information to help businesses and workers.
August 2011
NIOSH STOP STICKS campaign aims to reduce exposures to bloodborne
pathogens.
August
11 2011
US Department of Labor's OSHA releases mobile app to help protect
workers from heat-related illnesses.
As part of continuing educational efforts by the U.S. Department of
Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration about the dangers
of extreme heat, Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today announced a
free application for mobile devices that will enable workers and
supervisors to monitor the heat index at their work sites in order to
prevent heat-related illnesses. The app, available in English and
Spanish, combines heat index data from the U.S. National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration with the user’s location to determine
necessary protective measures...
July
20 2011
Statement by Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis on continued heat waves
sweeping the country.
July
15 2011
Water, rest and shade: Protecting workers from heat-related illness.
July
5 2011
OSHA schedules stakeholder meetings to discuss
occupational exposure to infectious diseases.
June
28 2011
OSHA launches interactive Web site to help employers
better comply with its recordkeeping rule.
June
22 2011
OSHA seeks comments on proposed updates, revisions to the
occupational injury and illness tracking and reporting requirements.
June
16 2011
OSHA releases bookmark explaining young workers' rights.
June
16 2011
Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis and ambassadors of Guatemala and
Nicaragua sign declarations protecting migrant workers' rights.
May
26 2011
US Department of Labor's OSHA announces final rule affecting respiratory
protection, exposure and medical records, and other standards.
May
23 2011
US Department of Labor's OSHA launches national survey on employers'
safety and health practices to help guide future rules, compliance,
outreach
May
16 2011
US Labor Department's OSHA reopens public record on proposed
record-keeping rule to add work-related musculoskeletal disorders
OSHA estimates that 1.505 million recordable MSDs are expected to occur
annually among 1.542 million affected establishments and that the
annualized costs of the proposed rule would be $1.7 million per year for
all affected establishments combined. The U.S. Department of Labor's
Occupational Safety and Health Administration tomorrow will reopen the
public record on a proposed rule to revise the Occupational Injury and
Illness Recording and Reporting Requirements regulation on May 17.
"OSHA is eager to hear from the public on this, and every, proposed
rule," said Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety
and Health Dr. David Michaels." The more feedback the agency
receives from small businesses on this topic, the better informed we
will be in crafting a proposed regulation that protects workers without
overburdening employers..."
May 2011
New Injury and Illness Prevention Programs Web page now online
OSHA has a new Injury
and Illness Prevention Programs Web page to provide easy to use,
informative and useful guidance on how to implement an effective system
for finding and fixing workplace safety and health hazards. Injury and
illness prevention programs, known by a variety of names, are universal
interventions that can substantially reduce the number and severity of
workplace injuries and alleviate the associated financial burdens on U.S.
workplaces. Many states have requirements or voluntary guidelines for
workplace injury and illness prevention programs. Also, numerous employers
in the United States already manage safety using injury and illness
prevention programs and OSHA believes that all employers can and should do
the same. As OSHA Assistant Secretary David Michaels put it, "Injury
and illness prevention programs are good for workers, good for business
and good for America."
April
28 2011
OSHA will hold expert forum to identify regulatory options for
protecting workers from combustible dust hazards.
April
2011
Employers: Be sure to post injury and illness summaries now until April
30, 2011
(Form 300A PDF
382kb)
April
26 2011
US Labor Department launches national outreach campaign to protect workers
from heat-related illnesses.
March
23 2011
US Labor Department's OSHA to hold teleconferences for small businesses
to provide input on proposed column for employer injury and illness
logs. Small businesses from around the country are
encouraged to participate in a series of three teleconferences to
provide input on OSHA's proposal to add a column for work-related
musculoskeletal disorders on employer injury and illness logs.
February
15 2011
Statement from assistant secretary of labor for OSHA supporting promotion
of job creation
Agency doing everything possible to support good, safe jobs
February
15 2011
OSHA issues enforcement guidance on personal protective equipment to
protect general industry workers' safety, health. The
Occupational Safety and Health Administration today issued the Enforcement
Guidance for Personal Protective Equipment in General Industry*, a
directive that provides enforcement personnel with instructions for
determining whether employers have complied with OSHA personal
protective equipment (PPE) standards. The directive was effective Feb.
10. Changes in this directive include clarifying what type of PPE
employers must provide at no cost to workers and when employers are
required and not required to pay for PPE.
January
25 2011
US Labor Department's OSHA temporarily withdraws proposed column for
work-related musculoskeletal disorders, reaches out to small businesses.
"Work-related musculoskeletal disorders remain the leading cause of
workplace injury and illness in this country, and this proposal is an
effort to assist employers and OSHA in better identifying problems in
workplaces," said Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational
Safety and Health Dr. David Michaels. "However, it is clear that
the proposal has raised concern among small businesses, so OSHA is
facilitating an active dialogue between the agency and the small
business community."
January
19 2011
40th Anniversary Speakers Series: Granting Basic Rights to American
Workers.
January
19 2011
US Department of Labor's OSHA withdraws proposed interpretation on
occupational noise
Agency examines other approaches to prevent work-related hearing loss.
December
29 2010
US Labor Department's OSHA reminds employers of hazards associated with
snow cleanup, urges proper worker safeguards. In light of the
recent blizzard and in anticipation of more winter storms, the U.S.
Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration
wants to remind workers, employers and the general public of the hazards
associated with snow removal and recovery work. "Cleaning up
after a storm encompasses a variety of tasks, each of which can carry
risks if performed incorrectly or without proper safeguards," said
Robert Kulick, OSHA's regional administrator in New York. "We want
people to know what those risks are and what steps they can take to
protect themselves against these hazards." Common hazards can
include:..
November
30 2010
Michaels informs national conference of public health professionals about
OSHA's efforts to update chemical exposure limits.
OSHA Assistant Secretary David Michaels participated in a panel discussion
Nov. 8 in Denver at the American Public Health Association's annual
meeting. He shared with the audience OSHA's efforts to address the
agency's outdated workplace chemicals Permissible Exposure Limits (PELs).
Most of OSHA's PELs
were adopted when the agency was first created and have remained unchanged
even though health data indicates many chemicals pose hazards to workers
at levels below those permitted by many of OSHA's PELs. OSHA held a web
forum in August to solicit nominations on the top chemicals of concern and
received more than 130
nominations for OSHA to focus its initial efforts...
October
22 2010
OSHA targets high-hazard worksites for inspection.
Establishments are randomly selected for inspection from an initial list
of 4,100 manufacturing, non-manufacturing, and nursing and personal care
facilities...
October
21 2010
Statement of Labor Secretary Hilda L. Solis on reported decline in
workplace injuries and illnesses. "While the reported decline in workplace injuries and
illnesses is encouraging, 3.3 million workplace injuries and illnesses are
3.3 million too many. No worker should fear being injured or made sick for
a paycheck...
October
19 2010
OSHA's Official Interpretation of Provisions for Feasible Administrative
or Engineering Controls of Occupational Noise.
OSHA is proposing to amend its current enforcement policy to reflect the
interpretation of the term "feasible administrative or engineering
controls" as used in the current occupational noise exposure
standards....
October
19 2010
OSHA seeks comments on its official interpretation of workplace noise
exposure controls. Comments on the
interpretation must be submitted on or before Dec. 20, 2010....
October
15 2010
Michaels shares vision for transforming OSHA to meet future challenges.
OSHA Assistant Secretary sent a letter Oct. 15 outlining the progress
being made in transforming the way the agency addresses workplace
hazards...
October
15 2010
Tom Galassi, head of OSHA's Directorate of Enforcement programs, shares
the top 10 most frequently cited standards.
October
15 2010
OSHA rolls out presidential initiative to improve federal worker safety.
October
15 2010
OSHA adjusts focus of accurate recordkeeping emphasis program.
OSHA adjusted the targeting criteria for new inspections under its ongoing
National Recordkeeping Emphasis Program. The NEP is scheduled to run
through February 2010...
October
15 2010
OSHA increases enforcement against serious safety and health violators.
The increase in significant and
egregious cases demonstrates OSHA's commitment to aggressively enforcing
its standards...
October
15 2010
Michaels shares goals for protecting workers at national safety
conference. OSHA
Assistant Secretary David Michaels shared the Obama Administration's
vision for government agencies at the National Safety Council's 2010
Congress & Expos. Michaels told the audience of about 10,000
safety and health professionals and industrial hygienists that OSHA and
NIOSH believe the key to worker safety and health is focusing on
prevention and shifting the burden of worker protection to employers...
October
15 2010
Michaels tells steelworkers OSHA is committed to creating and enforcing
standards that will save lives. OSHA Assistant Secretary David
Michaels told the audience at a United Steelworkers Health, Safety and
Environment Conference in Pittsburgh that OSHA is returning to basics to
protect the safety and health of workers on the job. He stressed the need
to expand OSHA's enforcement powers and penalty amounts through
legislative reform such as the Protecting America's Workers Act...
October
4 2010
U.S. Labor Department's reaches out to prevent distracted driving.
Agency launches online resource for Drive Safely to Work Week.
September
21 2010
OSHA announces partnership with Department of Transportation to combat
distracted driving. Employers who organize work so that
texting is a practical necessity, even if not a formal requirement,
violate the OSH Act.
August
2010
OSHA issues annual inspection plan under the Site-Specific Targeting 2010
program to help the agency direct enforcement resources.
Establishments are randomly selected from a list of manufacturing,
non-manufacturing, and nursing and personal care facilities.
July
19 2010
Obama issues memorandum on Presidential POWER Initiative: Protecting Our
Workers and Ensuring Reemployment
July
7 2010
Whistleblowers.gov offers quick access to whistleblower protection
information
June
21 2010
OSHA to hold additional stakeholder meeting on worker injury and illness
prevention rule
June
18 2010
OSHA's severe violator enforcement directive effective June 18
June
11 2010
New OSHA training emphasizes workers rights
Training
Requirements in OSHA Standards and Training Guidelines
May 24 2010
OSHA
publishes proposed rulemaking to prevent injuries from slips, trips and
falls on walking-working surfaces
May 4 2010
US
Department of Labor's OSHA holds series of stakeholder meeting on worker
Injury and Illness Prevention Programs
April 29 2010
Statement
of US Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis on Protecting America's Workers
Act
April 27 2010
US
assistant secretary of labor for OSHA to testify today on strengthening
enforcement and ensuring safe workplaces for every American worker
April 22 2010
US
Department of Labor's OSHA takes action to protect America's workers
with severe violator program and increased penalties
April 14 2010
Secretary
of Labor Hilda L. Solis convenes 1st every national action summit on
health and safety of Latino workers
March 18 2010
US
Department of Labor's OSHA announces informal public hearing on hazard
communication in Pittsburgh on March 31
March 17 2010
US
Assistance Secretary of labor for OSHA testifies on proposed Protecting
America's Workers Act (PAWA) before House subcommittee.
PAWA
would raise penalties, strengthen workers' voices in the workplace,
expand the rights of victims and their families, and provide other new
rules that would grant greater power to OSHA.
March 9 2010
OSHA
notifies 15,000 workplaces of high injury and illness rates
January 28 2010
OSHA
proposes revised Recordkeeping regulation to better identify
work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSD's)
January 27 2010
OSHA
withdraws proposed rule for additional quantitative fit-testing
protocols for the Respiratory Protection Standard
January 27 2010
OSHA
releases workplace injury and illness information representing
administration's "Open Government" policy
January 8 2010
New
OSHA videos provide respirator and facemask safety guidance
January 7 2010
OSHA
announces informal public hearing on hazard communication rule
October 1 2009
OSHA
issues proposed rule to adopt the Globally Harmonized Hazard Communication
System. A proposed rule to align the Occupational
Safety and Health Administration's Hazard Communication Standard (HCS)
with provisions of the United Nations Globally Harmonized System of
Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GCS) ...
September 30 2009
Notice
of Injury and Illness Recordkeeping National Emphasis Program
September 9 2009
OSHA
issues final rule updating personal protective equipment standards.
The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (OSHA) today published in the Federal Register a final rule
revising the personal protective equipment (PPE) sections of standards
concerning requirements for eye- and face- protective devices, and head
and foot protection ...
Recent OSHA Citations related
to Cleaning and Facilities Maintenance
January 18 2012
US
Department of Labor's OSHA cites Curt Manufacturing in Eau Claire, Wis.,
after worker's thumb crushed by unguarded machine; $105,000 in fines
proposed for multiple violations.
January 18 2012
US
Labor Department files complaint to require DeMoulas Super Markets to
address hazards at Market Basket stores in Massachusetts and New
Hampshire. The complaint alleges that employees at
multiple Market Basket stores were exposed or likely to be exposed to
fall hazards from unguarded, open-sided work and storage areas,
including storage lofts and atop produce coolers and freezers. The
complaint also alleges that the grocery chain failed to protect
employees in produce, deli and bakery departments against laceration
hazards from knives and cutting instruments by not conducting job hazard
analyses that would have identified the need for hand protection, and by
not providing such hand protection to workers...
January 13 2012
US
Department of Labor's OSHA cites American Marazzi Tile for exposing
workers to excessive noise levels, lack of machine guarding and other
hazards. Sunnyvale, Texas-based manufacturer faces proposed fines of
$318,000.
January 12 2012
US
Department of Labor's OSHA cites Newnan, Ga., manufacturer for
combustible dust, PPE and other safety and health violations; proposes
more than $55,000 in penalties.
January 11 2012
US
Labor Department's OSHA proposes $70,000 in fines against Everett,
Mass., recycling company after workers injured by rotating equipment.
OSHA's inspection identified several serious deficiencies in the
facility's hazardous energy control procedures, which should ensure
machines are deactivated and their power sources locked out before
employees perform maintenance work. In this case, the procedures were
incomplete and not clearly communicated, training was inadequate, and
the procedures were not reviewed to ensure that they were effective and
understood by the employees...
January 10 2012
US
Labor Department's OSHA proposes more than $125,000 in fines to Palmyra,
NJ, linen rental company for workplace safety and health hazards.
Violations involve failing to provide protection from electrical
hazards; develop and implement written respiratory protection, hazard
communication and confined space entry programs; provide machine
guarding; provide guardrails for stairways and working platforms;
conduct a personal protective equipment hazard assessment; ensure the
safe use of ladders and forklifts; provide lockout/tagout, respirator,
hazard communication and fire extinguisher training; provide an eyewash
station; provide mounted fire extinguishers; ensure aisles and
passageways were clear; various electrical hazards; incomplete record
keeping for the OSHA 300 injury and illness logs...
January 10 2012
US
Labor Department's OSHA cites New Windsor, NY, felt manufacturer for
repeat and serious safety hazards; more than $146,000 proposed in
penalties. Inspections identified numerous safety
and health hazards, including exposing employees to possible
electrocution, crushing and struck-by injuries, being caught in moving
machine parts, hearing loss, falls, eye and hand injuries, asbestos and
lead...
January 4 2012
US
Labor Department's OSHA cites Conway Stores Inc. for locked emergency
exits and other hazards at its East Fordham Rd. store in the Bronx. Proposed
fines total $90,000. OSHA's inspection revealed
several instances where emergency exit doors in the store were padlocked
during work hours and emergency exit routes were obstructed by racks of
clothing and boxes of stock, conditions that would have prevented or
impeded employees' swift exit of the workplace in the event of a fire or
other emergency. In addition, a cardboard baler was operated with its
door open exposing employees to crushing hazards; an unsecured
compressed gas cylinder was exposed to damage; and the store lacked a
continuing and effective extermination program for rats and vermin...
December 21 2011
US
Department of Labor's OSHA proposes $144,760 in penalties to Houston,
Texas, recycling plant for exposing workers to multiple safety and
health hazards. Petag was cited for failing to
provide personal protective equipment; provide hazard communication
training; provide sanitary washing facilities as well as access to
eyewash and shower stations; provide fall protection; provide required
information for voluntary respirator use; injury and illness
record-keeping deficiencies...
December 21 2011
US
Department of Labor's OSHA cites rubber parts fabricator Acme Machell
Co. in Waukesha, Wis., for safety and health violations; proposed
penalties total $77,600. OSHA opened inspections
after receiving complaints alleging burn hazards and poor housekeeping
throughout the plant. Violations include failing to implement a hazard
communication plan, train first-aid responders on an exposure control
plan to protect against exposure to bloodborne pathogens and diseases,
offer hepatitis B vaccines to designated first-aid responders, review or
update the exposure control plan, maintain a list of chemicals being
used in the facility along with relevant material data safety sheets;
failing to properly maintain fire extinguishers; failing to maintain
adequate air pressure in air nozzles used for cleaning; electrical
deficiencies, failing to evaluate and audit energy control procedures
annually; failing to adequately train workers on hazardous energy
control procedures...
December 12 2011
US
Labor Department's OSHA cites Little River, SC, painting contractor for
hazards at Elmsford, NY, work site; DR Moore Co. faces more than
$58,000 in fines. The company faces citations
for fall hazards while employees were power washing, painting and
caulking the exterior of an extended stay hotel. Specifically, D.R.
Moore has been cited for allowing employees to work from a ladder in the
elevated basket and not ensuring that they wore a body belt and/or
lanyard while working from the basket...
December 5 2011
Miami,
Fla., contractor cited by US Department of Labor's OSHA for willful and
serious violations following carbon monoxide incident. Trans
Florida Development Corp. faces proposed penalties of $66,990 following
an incident that occurred in June at a work site. Citations were issued
for failing to evaluate the job site and implement procedures to ensure
workers were not exposed to toxic substances while working in a confined
space...
December 1 2011
Waymar
Construction Co. in Shelby, Ohio faces $30,500 for child labor and
safety violations after 16-year-old injured on job site.
The U.S. Department of Labor has cited Waymar Construction LLC in
Shelby for child labor and safety violations after a 16-year-old worker
suffered cranial trauma and fractures from falling off a scissor lift.
The division found that Waymar Construction violated the FLSA's child
labor standards by employing a worker less than 18 years old to perform
hazardous jobs prohibited by the act. Waymar Construction also was found
to be in violation of the overtime provisions of the FLSA, for paying
workers "straight time" wages for hours worked over 40 in a
week...
December 1 2011
US
Labor Department's OSHA proposes $72,900 in fines for East Boston,
Mass., painting contractor for violations after employee overcome by
paint vapors inside confined space.
November 21 2011
US
Department of Labor's OSHA fines Paterson, NJ, company $126,000 for
failing to guard machines and exposing workers to fall and electrical
hazards. Violations include failing to keep work
areas and passageways free of litter; provide guardrail protection,
guard machines and electrical boxes; provide an eyewash station; provide
personal protective equipment for workers handling chemicals; provide
industrial truck and hazard communication training; ensure exit routes
were unobstructed and visibly marked; make sure exit doors could open
properly; properly use flexible cords; develop a written hazardous
communication program; record-keeping violations...
November 21 2011
Odom
Industries in Milford, Ohio, faces $90,760 in OSHA fines for altering
injury and illness logs and other violations. OSHA
initiated an inspection of the fabrication plant after receiving a
complaint alleging that injured workers, who were unable to perform
their normal jobs, were moved to other jobs to avoid recordable injuries
on the OSHA 300 logs. Additionally, violations were cited for failing to
inspect and train employees in the use of personal protective gear,
misuse of metal ladders, failure to conduct annual audiograms for
employees exposed to noise hazards, failing to provide welding shields
and screens, and failing to conduct hexavalent chromium training,
failing to document inspections of crane hooks and chains, failing to
establish a respiratory program including fit-testing...
November 3 2011
US
Labor Department's OSHA proposes more than $62,000 in fines to
commercial laundry for inadequate hazard energy control and other
hazards; proposed penalties total $62,400.
Uwanta Linen Supply, a commercial laundry that employs about
16 workers, faces citations that include failing to evaluate the
facility to determine if any areas were permit-required confined spaces;
properly guard floor holes; develop written energy control procedures
for machines with multiple energy sources; mount portable fire
extinguishers, perform annual maintenance checks on them and train
employees on their use; examine forklifts before placing them in
service; conduct an exposure determination for workers with exposure to
bloodborne pathogens; provide fall protection for employees working on
an elevated platform using forklifts; provide personal protective
equipment; provide a suitable facility for quick drenching or flushing
of the eyes and/or body for workers exposed to injurious corrosive
materials; provide a hand-washing facility readily accessible to
employees; provide appropriate safety and machine guarding; provide
hepatitis B vaccines to employees potentially exposed to bloodborne
pathogens; ensure that all work areas were clean and in an orderly and
sanitary condition; ensure that an emergency exit door was unlocked and
unimpeded; ensure that electrical equipment was free from recognized
hazards; keep the area around a circuit breaker panel free from
materials; attach grounded conductors to terminals or leads so as to
reverse polarity; effectively close knockouts; properly illuminate work
areas for employees; properly illuminate each exit sign; establish a
written exposure control plan to eliminate or minimize employee exposure
to bloodborne pathogens; and institute an effective hearing conservation
program; failing to properly record work-related injuries and illnesses
on OSHA's 300A log; failing to train employees on the hazardous
chemicals in their work areas...
November 2 2011
US
Department of Labor's OSHA cites Neman Painting & Sandblasting in
Waukesha, Wis., respirator hazards and other safety violations. Proposed
penalties total $50,140.
November 2 2011
US
Department of Labor's OSHA cites Illinois pet food production and
packaging company for exposing employees to dust and noise hazards; fines
exceed $750,000.
November 1 2011
US
Department of Labor's OSHA cites Gardner Equipment Co. in Columbus and
Juneau, Wis., for PPE and other safety and health violations. Proposed fines total
$125,900. Violations include failing to ensure that
workers at the Columbus facility wore protective clothing while using
powdered paint containing skin irritants and sensitizers, failing to
train workers on the use of personal protective equipment and failure to
establish an adequate hazard communication program and do the required
employee training...
October 28 2011
US
Department of Labor's OSHA cites Dallas facility of California-based
Bridgford Foods for exposing workers to noise, energized machine hazards
Employer faces $422,600 in proposed fines.
The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and
Health Administration has cited Anaheim, Calif.-based Bridgford Foods
Corp. for 27 safety and health violations at its food manufacturing
facility in Dallas, with proposed penalties totaling $422,600. The
violations include, among others, failing to establish and maintain a
hearing conservation program for workers exposed to noise hazards beyond
the permissible exposure limit, and failing to establish a
lockout/tagout program for energy sources to protect workers from
machines starting up unexpectedly...
October 26 2011
North
Georgia sewing contractor cited by US Department of Labor's OSHA for
serious safety violations; nearly $47,000 proposed in penalties.
Dacorp Inc. has been cited by the U.S. Department of Labor's
Occupational Safety and Health Administration for safety violations at
its sewing plant in Morganton after an inspection identified a number of
deficiencies, including obstructed exit routes and electrical hazards.
Additional violations included an insufficient number of exit routes, a
number of potential fire hazards; not training employees in the proper
use of powered industrial trucks; an exhaust fan that lacked safeguards;
not providing employees with effective information and training on
hazardous chemicals in their work areas; and the lack of material safety
data sheets for all chemicals found at the plant; no assessment to
determine the need for personal protective equipment; and not supplying
workers with eye protection...
October 25 2011
US
Department of Labor's OSHA cites Wegmans Food Market for
inadequate safeguards and other hazards at corporate bakery and
distribution center in Rochester, NY. More than $195,000 proposed in
fines. The retail grocery chain
faces a total of $195,200 in proposed fines, chiefly for inadequate
safeguards, to prevent the unintended startup of machinery during
maintenance. OSHA's hazardous energy control, or lockout/tagout,
standard mandates that machines be shut down and the power sources
locked out before workers perform maintenance. The standard also
requires proper procedures, training and equipment to ensure that
machines cannot be unintentionally activated and seriously injure
workers performing maintenance on machines...
October 20 2011
US
Department of Labor's OSHA cites Texas-based operator of Jiffy Lube in
Arlington Heights, Ill., for slip and fall hazards, other violations.
Proposed penalties total $52,700 for failing to maintain dry
floors and allowing floors to be slick from oil and water accumulation,
which created slip and fall hazards; failing to evaluate the workplace
for hazards that necessitated the use of personal protective equipment;
provide a written hazard communication program; list and label
containers of hazardous chemicals; train workers on hazards and safety
precautions; improper record keeping...
October 18 2011
US
Department of Labor's OSHA proposes more than $589,000 in fines to
Tewksbury, Mass.-based DeMoulas Supermarkets for hazards at New
Hampshire stores. An inspection of the store
began after an employee sustained broken bones and head trauma when he
fell 11 feet to a concrete floor from an inadequately guarded storage
mezzanine. OSHA found that employees were exposed
to falls while working on top of produce coolers, freezers and storage
lofts that lacked adequate guardrails. Employees also were exposed to
laceration hazards from knives due to the grocery chain's failure to
conduct a hazard assessment and provide hand protection. DeMoulas
Supermarkets has also been issued citations for amputation hazards
stemming from a lack of procedures, training and equipment to ensure
that a meat saw and seafood cooler would not be activated while
employees were cleaning them, as well as hazards from exposed portions
of the saw's blade; a lack of bloodborne pathogen training for an
employee required to clean equipment and work areas contaminated with
human blood. Additional violations involve obstructed exit routes; a
lack of eye and hand protection and an emergency eyewash for employees
working with or near battery acid; a lack of chemical hazard
communication training for workers; and other hazards related to
electrical equipment, machine guarding and bloodborne pathogens...
October 10 2011
US
Labor Department's OSHA proposes $96,000 in fines for continued
workplace safety and health violations at 3 Lowe's stores in
Pennsylvania. The Carlisle store was cited for
permitting employees to use hazardous liquid chemicals without the use
of personal protective equipment, improperly modifying powered
industrial trucks, using flexible cords and cables as a substitute for
fixed wiring, and failing to properly label hazardous chemical
containers. The Hanover store was cited for violations involving several
electrical hazards, including failing to properly use listed or labeled
electrical equipment, using a flexible cord as a substitute for fixed
wiring and running a flexible cord through a hole in the wall. The store
also was cited for having an obstructed fire alarm pull station, which
previously was cited at other stores. The Palmyra store was cited for
failing to provide personal protective equipment to employees exposed to
hazardous liquid chemicals...
September 29 2011
Sears,
Roebuck and Co. in Huntsville, Ala., cited by US Department of Labor's
OSHA for safety violations; $128,000 proposed in fines. Violations
found during an inspection of the company's department store in
Huntsville include exposing workers to blocked exits, failing to post
signs along exit routes, failing to repair damaged racks that caused
stored merchandise to be unstable, failing to provide an adequate number
of exits in a stockroom, properly mark a door with a "not an
exit" sign, dispose promptly of flammable waste and failing to
provide a list of hazardous materials for its hazard communication
program...
September 6 2011
US
Department of Labor's OSHA proposes more than $121,000 in fines
to Rite Aid of New York for hazards at Brooklyn store. The
inspection identified several hazardous conditions including an
emergency exit blocked by garbage and debris, merchandise stacked in an
unsafe manner, electrical panels blocked by cardboard and totes
containing merchandise, an ungrounded electric power strip and employees
exposed to an electrical hazard while stacking stock. Additional
violations include a stairway to the basement storage room that was too
steep, too narrow and lacked slip resistant treads; an 8-foot fall
hazard for employees standing on the top of a ladder to store stock;
boxes of merchandise used to prop open an emergency exit door; the
absence of portable fire extinguishers in a basement storage room; and
the lack of a working interlock to prevent a box crusher from operating
while its door was open. "One might not think of a store as a
hazardous workplace, but the fact is that these conditions expose
workers to potentially deadly falls, crushing injuries, burns and
electrocution, as well as the inability of workers and customers to exit
swiftly in the event of a fire or other emergency," said Kay Gee,
OSHA's Manhattan area director...
August 17 2011
US
Labor Department's OSHA cites Swedesboro, NJ, company for exposing
employees to safety hazards.
Proposed penalties total $51,000 following OSHA's March 10 inspection.
Citations were issued for the company's failure to ensure workers were
wearing safety glasses and ensure the proper level of compressed air was
used for cleaning. Additional penalties were issued for electrical
hazards...
August 8 2011
US
Department of Labor's OSHA cites Englewood, Colo.-based Meadow Gold
Dairies and subcontractor for hazardous chemicals, PPE and other
violations; penalties total $326,300. An
inspection of the facility was conducted under OSHA's Site-Specific
Targeting program for high-hazard work sites as well as its national
emphasis program on facilities with hazardous chemicals...
August 8 2011
US
Department of Labor's OSHA cites Dick's Sporting Goods for safety
hazards at Queensbury, NY, location Pennsylvania-based retailer
faces $57,300 in fines, urged to examine safety at other stores. OSHA
inspectors found that workers at the Queensbury store were periodically
required to enter a trash compactor that had not first been de-energized
in order to remove cardboard blockages. Additionally, the store lacked
the means and procedures for employees to enter and work safely in such
a confined space, and training was not provided on the hazards and
safeguards associated with work in a confined space. Additionally,
access to fire extinguishers was blocked and employees were not trained
in how to use fire extinguishers in the event of a fire. "Even in a
retail outlet, employees can be exposed to deadly or disabling hazards
if the proper safeguards and training are absent, as they were
here..."
August 2 2011
US
Labor Department's OSHA cites Birmingham, Ala., manufacturer for
flexible cord and other violations; proposes more than $56,000 in
penalties. Homeland Vinyl Products faces proposed
penalties of $56,400 involving using flexible cords that had been
spliced, not properly labeling and not
attaching warning labels to other chemical containers...
August 1 2011
US
Labor Department's OSHA cites Georgia-based contractor for health and
safety violations following employee death due to chemical overexposure. The
U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration
has cited Stockbridge-based Creative Multicare Inc. with five serious,
two willful and one other-than-serious violation following the February
death of a worker who was exposed to excessive amounts of methylene
chloride while using the chemical to remove paint from a bathtub
surface. The employee, who was working in a small bathroom at the
Lakeshore Apartments in Clarkston, was found dead on the floor...
July 27 2011
US
Labor Department's OSHA cites 2 companies at Hamilton, Ala., plant for
failing to label hazardous chemical containers and other hazards;
proposes more than $112,000 in fines.
Additional violations included not requiring employees working with
corrosive chemicals to wear eye, face, hand or body protection; failing
to have an eyewash station or other means available for drenching; an electrical
disconnect switch that was not readily accessible; inadequate hearing
protection program...
July 11 2011
Georgia
manufacturer agrees to pay employee more than $176,000 to settle
whistleblower case brought by US Department of Laborn. The
case allegedly began when Blue Bird required the employee to use a
bucket lift truck to install Christmas wreaths for the company. The
employee requested training in the operation of the equipment, resulting
in a disagreement with management over whether the employee was trained.
That disagreement led to the employee's termination. An OSHA
whistleblower investigation found that the employee was illegally
terminated for refusing to work under unsafe conditions...
July 5 2011
Mississippi's
Howard Industries cited by US Department of Labor's OSHA for safety
violations following fatal worker electrocution. The
U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration
has cited Howard Industries Inc. in Ellisville following the January
death of a worker. Violations related to the fatality include not
requiring employees to use work safety practices when dealing with live
electrical circuits, and failing to use locks and tags when
de-energizing test equipment. Additional violations include failing to
develop specific lockout/tagout procedures, failing to conduct a
personal protective equipment hazard assessment...
June 28 2011
US
Labor Department's OSHA cites Somerville, Mass., commercial laundry for
safety hazards following worker injury. Royal
Institutional Services Inc., faces a total of $49,935 in proposed fines
after la mechanic sustained a crushing hand injury while lubricating the
chain of an ironer machine that was running. OSHA's inspection found that
the machine had not first been de-energized and had its power source
locked out before maintenance was performed, as required by the agency's
hazardous energy control or "lockout/tagout" standard. In
addition, employees authorized to perform maintenance were not effectively
trained to safely perform such activities, and were not evaluated to
ensure that they used and understood adequate energy control procedures.
OSHA cited Royal Institutional Services for for the lack of energy control
procedures; lack of effective training and evaluation; and lack of
documented lockout procedures for a machine...
June 28 2011
US
Labor Department's OSHA cites Interfaith Medical Center in Brooklyn, NY,
for asbestos, chemical and other hazards; $48,000 in fines proposed. The
hospital faces a total $48,000 in proposed fines after OSHA's inspection
found that the hospital failed to provide adequate asbestos training for
environmental staff and employees in the engineering department who
perform demolition and renovation. Nor did it inform outside contractors
of the presence of potentially asbestos-containing material in and around
their work area. It also failed to properly label asbestos-containing
insulation and floor tile, and allowed disposal of asbestos-containing
material in the hospital dumpster. Additionally, the hospital failed to
train trade employees on the hazards; provide them with material data
safety sheets; and develop a written hazard communication program for
cleaners, lubricants, acetylene, naptha and other hazardous chemicals.
Furthermore, the inspection found improper storage of compressed gas
cylinders and electric shock hazards from exposed and improperly spliced
wiring. Four other violations were cited for incomplete OSHA 300 illness
and injury logs...
June 28 2011
Lumber
company cited by US Department of Labor's OSHA for safety and health
violations following fatal electrocution. Proposed
penalties total $41,310 following the death of a worker who was
electrocuted at the company's Fulton facility while troubleshooting a
malfunctioning starter. Violations include failing to train employees on
work safety practices and allowing unqualified employees to work on
energized equipment; inadequate guarding of energized parts; having a
damaged electrical cord on a footswitch; not properly grounding a floor
fan; failing to adequately protect electrical cables; failing to post and
provide employees with a copy of the noise standard, and to include the
chemical inventory in the company's hazard communication program...
June 24 2011
US
Labor Department's OSHA cites Waco, Texas, manufacturing company with 29
serious workplace violations. OSHA initiated an inspection
in response to a complaint alleging unsafe working conditions resulting in
proposed penalties totaling $161,100. Violations cited include failing to
develop and implement a respiratory program; provide an area for employees
to wash their eyes; provide hazard communication training to employees
working with hazardous and toxic chemicals; and provide covers on
junction, outlet and transformer boxes....
June 22 2011
US
Department of Labor's OSHA cites El Paso, Texas, facility for exposing
workers to safety and health hazards. Proposed penalties
total $96,000 for violations that include failing to maintain a
workplace in a clean and orderly manner; maintain an effective hearing
conservation program; provide eye protection for employees; address
electrical hazards; develop and document procedures for an energy
control program and certify annual injury and illness logs...
June 21 2011
US
Department of Labor's OSHA cites MedPlast for workplace safety
and health hazards at West Berlin, NJ, facility. Proposed
penalties total $72,000 for violations including the company's failure
to ensure exits were unblocked; provide eye protection approved by the
American National Standards Institute; train employees on fire
extinguishers; conduct noise monitoring; provide audiometric testing for
employees overexposed to noise; and provide noise training. Additional
violations relate to the company's deficiencies with OSHA Form 300, the
Log of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses; failure to properly mark
plastic spray containers containing liquids with their contents...
June 20 2011
US
Department of Labor's OSHA cites Houston-based Schumacher Co. for
exposing workers to hazardous chemicals; fines total $166,500.
In response to a referral, OSHA initiated a safety and health inspection
and found multiple violations include failing to require employees to
wear appropriate personal protective equipment...
June 20 2011
US
Department of Labor's OSHA proposes $59,400 in penalties to San Antonio
company for hearing conservation and other hazards.
June 9 2011
US
Department of Labor's OSHA cites Cinnaminson, NJ, company for worker
exposure to chemical, other hazards.
The company faces proposed penalties of $49,000 for employee exposure to
airborne concentrations of methylene chloride above the permissible
exposure limit; employee use of compressed air set at 120 pounds per
square inch to clean off work surfaces and their bodies; failure to
provide appropriate respiratory protection; require employees to use
appropriate hand protection when working with chemicals; provide body
and face protection; provide training to employees regarding chemical
hazards...
June 7 2011
US
Department of Labor's OSHA fines AK Steel Corp. $206,000 for
record-keeping violations at Butler, Pa., facility. Company failed
to record outcomes indicating hearing hazards for workers.
The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health
Administration has cited AK Steel Corp. for record-keeping violations
related to potential hearing hazards at its Butler Works facility. OSHA
initiated an inspection in response to a complaint alleging
under-recording of injuries. The violations address the company's
failure to record standard threshold shifts on the OSHA 300 Log when
employees' hearing tests revealed that they experienced a work-related
STS and the employees' total hearing level was 25 decibels or more above
audiometric zero. Additional violations were cited for the company's
failure to properly record other work-related injuries and illnesses...
May 26 2011
Administrative
law judge upholds OSHA citation affirming that musculoskeletal disorder
should be recorded on OSHA 300 Injury and Illness Log.
May 26 2011
US
Department of Labor's OSHA cites facility for improper use of step
ladders, slip hazards, and an inadequate Emergency Response Plan.
Proposed penalties total $61,000...
May 25 2011
US
Department of Labor's OSHA fines employer more than $1.2 million
for exposing workers to asbestos hazards. OSHA
investigators found that AMD Industries had commissioned a safety audit
of its Cicero facility in 2002, which uncovered the presence of
asbestos-containing materials on boilers, heating units and connected
piping...
May 23 2011
US
Department of Labor's OSHA cites Rite Aid Pharmacy for blocked emergency
exits at Brooklyn, NY, store; proposes $60,500 fine.
May 16 2011
US
Labor Department's OSHA cites Capital Construction for exposing workers to
fall, other hazards on Cleveland job site; fines total $102,000.
OSHA inspectors observed employees working without fall protection at
heights greater than 20 feet. Violations include failing to provide
protective eyewear, head protection, fall training and instruction in
the avoidance of unsafe working conditions, as well as failing to
maintain safety programs...
April 19 2011
US
Labor Department's OSHA cites Brooklyn, NY, property management company
for violations at Flatbush Gardens apartment complex. Maintenance
workers exposed to sewage, lead, asbestos and electrical hazards. The
property management company faces a total of $51,100 in proposed fines
following OSHA inspections conducted in response to employee complaints.
OSHA found that Renaissance Equity Holdings failed to keep basements
clear of raw sewage; provide protective equipment such as waders to
employees required to enter those basements; determine the presence of
and inform employees about asbestos contained in pipe insulation;
provide employees with asbestos awareness training; conduct an exposure
assessment for lead; train workers involved in stripping paint and
replacing drywall about lead hazards; guard basement windows to prevent
the entry of rodents and vermin; and have a hazard communication program
and training to inform employees about the hazardous chemicals with
which they work. Additional violations included a broken stepladder,
uncovered floor holes and several electrical hazards. The company also
was issued additional citations for failing to accurately record all
on-the-job injuries and illnesses...
April 15 2011
US
Labor Department's OSHA cites Lowe's Home Centers for 13 violations
following inspection at Castle Rock, Colo., store Proposed penalties
total $82,700. Seven violations were cited for
numerous inaccuracies in required injury and illness record keeping, and
with electrical safety issues involving access to equipment and damage
to wire insulation. Additional violations were related to issues with
emergency exits, installation of proper electrical receptacles, failure
to perform a personal protective equipment assessment, failure to
properly label hazardous chemicals and lack of detail on required record
keeping...
March 24 2011
Judge
upholds OSHA citations with penalties issued to Ohio-based ALL Erection
& Crane Rental for health and safety violations. The
company was assessed penalties totaling $10,850 after a worker was struck
in the head by debris during the cleanup of a 600,000-square-foot factory
building in Cleveland owned by ALL Erection & Crane. The company
employed subcontractor Labor Ready to remove debris, including pigeon
waste, from the building, which was in disrepair. The inspection revealed
that several employees were exhibiting symptoms of histoplasmosis, a
potentially fatal respiratory disease, as a result of inhaling dust
created by sweeping and shoveling the bird waste. ALL Erection & Crane
was issued citations for failing to provide guarding for a fifth floor
elevator shaft; provide personal protective equipment, provide compliant
respirators, provide medical personnel for advice and consultation, and
train employees on hazardous chemicals in the workplace. An additional
serious citation issued by OSHA for failing to provide a lead assessment
was dismissed by the administrative law judge. OSHA issued another
citation, which was upheld by the judge, for failing to determine the
presence, quantity and location of asbestos-containing material or
presumed asbestos-containing materials at the worksite....
February 28 2011
US
Department of Labor's OSHA cites St. Louis contractor for repeatedly
exposing workers to fall hazards and other safety violations.
OSHA's inspection resulted in proposed penalties totaling $68,720. Citations
allege a lack of eye protection, scaffold fall and tripping hazards, and
inadequate scaffold use training. Other alleged hazards include those
associated with falls from a roof, improper ladder use and personnel point
of access, and jobsite inspection deficiencies...
February 14 2011
US
Department of Labor's OSHA cites Northeast Hospital Corp. for failing to
protect workers against electrical hazards at Beverly, Mass., facility Hospital
faces $63,000 in proposed fines. Northeast Hospital
Corp. faces a total of $63,000 in proposed fines following an OSHA
inspection prompted by a worker complaint. OSHA found that some hospital
employees were exposed to potential electric shock, burns, arc flash
incidents and electrocution while changing circuit breakers on live
electrical panels. Specifically, the employees lacked or did not use
personal protective equipment while working with energized electrical
equipment; electrical protective equipment was not periodically tested;
electrical safety related work practices were not used; and specific
procedures were not developed for the control of hazardous energy while
replacing electrical breakers. The hospital also was issued a citation for
failing to ensure that unused openings in electrical panels and cabinet
motor control centers were effectively closed...
February 9 2011
US
Department of Labor's OSHA proposes $337,500 in fines to Louisiana company
for recordkeeping violations. OSHA's Baton Rouge office
initiated its investigation on Aug. 10, 2010, after receiving a complaint
alleging that employees' work-related injuries and illnesses were not
being recorded in the OSHA 300 log. Employers are required to record
fatalities as well as all significant injuries and illnesses, including
the number of days away from work, the days of job transfer or any
restriction that results from the injury or illness...
January 20 2011
US
Department of Labor's OSHA cites Amesbury, Mass., manufacturer for
emergency response, respirator, chemical, electrical and other hazards Durasol
Corp. faces $43,800 in proposed fines.
January 19 2011
US
Department of Labor's OSHA fines recycler Greenstar for potentially
exposing workers to bloodborne pathogens. Proposed
penalties total $53,000 for alleged failure to provide puncture-resistant
gloves for handling trash, provide a tie-off point to prevent employees
from falling, use lockout/tagout procedures on machinery, provide a fire
alarm system, ensure a fire evacuation plan was followed and ensure
workers facing exposure to hepatitis B are vaccinated. Other citations
allege failure to record injuries within a seven-day period, record
restricted days, record days when workers were absent and complete logs
with detailed information...
January 13 2011
US
Department of Labor's OSHA cites US Steel Corp. and Power Piping Co. with
$175,000 in fines for energy control hazards. Safety
citations were issued for having an inadequate lockout/tagout to prevent
the inadvertent release of energy, a deficient process safety management
program, and failure to implement an emergency response plan, evaluate
respiratory hazards, use flame retardant gloves and use approved
electrical equipment...
January 13 2011
US
Department of Labor's OSHA cites El Paso, Texas, plastering company for
exposing workers to fall hazards. Proposed penalties
total $99,000 for failing to provide base plates and mud sills to prevent
scaffolds from becoming unstable, a ladder for safe access to all working
levels of the scaffold, training for employees who perform scaffolding
work, and fall protection systems such as guardrails and/or personal fall
arrest systems such as harnesses to employees working from a scaffold...
January 11 2011
US
Department of Labor's OSHA cites chemical plant in Plaquemine, La., with
14 workplace safety and health violations. Proposed
penalties total $55,000 for failing to illuminate exit routes, train
workers performing preventive maintenance on safety critical instruments,
and ensure eyewashes had adequate flow and capped nozzles...
January 11 2011
US
Department of Labor's OSHA fines Bridgford Foods Processing $212,000 for
lockout/tagout and other violations. The company has been
cited for failing to implement and provide training for workers on
lockout/tagout procedures, thereby exposing them to energized equipment.
The company allegedly allowed workers to remove a shovel stuck in an auger
screw conveyor without locking or tagging out the auger, placing employees
in danger of the machine operating while they worked to remove the shovel.
Bridgford Foods Processing also has been issued citations for having
locked exit doors, failing to provide lockout/tagout or electrical safety
training, failing to provide a load backrest extension on a powered
industrial truck to minimize the hazard of material falling, failing to
perform periodic energy control inspections and to maintain unobstructed
exit routes, failing to properly illuminate exit signs...
January 10 2011
US
Labor Department's OSHA cites Rochelle Park, NJ, stucco contractor for
fall hazards at Somerville, NJ, worksite. Company added to Severe
Violator Enforcement Program. Proposed penalties
total $69,300 after OSHA initiated an inspection as part of a local
emphasis program focused on fall hazards in construction. Violations
include the company's failure to fully plank scaffold platforms, erect
scaffolds on a firm foundation, provide a fall protection system and
properly brace scaffolds with cross braces. The company has also been
cited with a serious violation for failing to conduct frequent and regular
inspections of the jobsite...
January 5 2011
US
Labor Department's OSHA fines Newark, NJ, construction company $58,000 for
not protecting workers against falls. OSHA initiated an
inspection as part of its local emphasis program on fall hazards in
construction. As a result of the inspection, the company was cited for
failure to provide fall protection to employees working on roofs
approximately 11 feet above ground level, to extend two ladders 3 feet
above the work area and to protect employees from eye injuries while using
pneumatic nail guns. The company was also cited for failure to conduct
frequent and regular inspections of the jobsite, and to maintain contact
with a ladder when accessing the roof while carrying equipment...
December 29 2010
US
Department of Labor's OSHA cites US Postal Service in Duluth, Ga., with
repeat and serious safety violations, $80,000 in penalties.
Violations include deficiencies involving lockout/tagout to prevent
accidental start-up of machinery; permitting material to be stored in
front of the electrical and circuit breaker panel; having unused openings
on electrical, fire and receptacle boxes; using flexible cords instead of
fixed wiring; and missing the electrical strain prevention clamp on the
dock lights. The Postal Service is also being cited for failing to mark
exits visibly and having broken dock lights that exposed electrical
wiring...
December 29 2010
US
Department of Labor's OSHA proposes $238,000 in fines against US Postal
Service for electrical hazards at Shrewsbury, Mass., mail processing
facility. OSHA's inspection, which began June 29 in
response to a worker complaint, found that unqualified employees at the
Shrewsbury location were allowed to work on and test energized electrical
circuits and equipment. In addition, electrical equipment had not been
de-energized prior to maintenance being performed, and employees were not
supplied with insulated tools and equipment. OSHA also issued the
Postal Service for lack of employee training in safety-related electrical
work practices, lack of personal protective equipment, inadequate voltage
meters and failing to perform periodic inspections of the Shrewsbury
facility's energy control procedures...
December 10 2010
US
Department of Labor's OSHA fines Texas Linen in Austin, Texas more than
$126,000 for multiple hazards. OSHA began an inspection
June 10 at the company's worksite on Smith Road and found multiple
hazards, including wet floors in passageways, aisles and work
areas. OSHA issued citations that included failure to ensure a
fiberglass ladder was set up and used correctly; failure to keep
flooring dry; failure to provide working and easily accessible portable
fire extinguishers...
December 1 2010
US
Labor Department's OSHA proposes $51,000 in fines against David H. Koch
Theater in New York for asbestos, fall and crushing hazards.
OSHA's inspection found that employees of the theater and of outside
contractors had not been informed of the presence of asbestos-containing
and potentially asbestos-containing materials in the theater's promenade
area and in nearby electrical closets. The materials had not been
labeled and asbestos warning signs had not been posted. In
addition, an exit door was stuck and unable to be used, and a portable
fire extinguisher was not mounted...
December 1 2010
US
Department of Labor's OSHA cites Next Step Burwell LLC in Burwell, Neb.,
for exposing workers to serious electrical hazards. $75,600 in penalties
proposed following investigation of fatality. OSHA
cited the company following an investigation of an incident in which two
workers were subjected to electric shock. A Next Step employee was
shocked after being instructed to clean out a charged electrical wiring
cable tray in which a combination of rain water and corn stalk dust had
been allowed to accumulate. Subsequently, a subcontracted employee was
fatally electrocuted after being asked to check the cable tray...
December 1 2010
US
Labor Department's OSHA cites Huntsman Petrochemical of Houston, Texas,
for deficient lockout/tagout procedures. The company's
facility on Jefferson Chemical Road in Conroe, Texas faces proposed
penalties of $75,600 for an inadequate process safety management program
and deficient lockout/tagout procedures to prevent the accidental
start-up of machinery...
December 1 2010
US
Labor Department's OSHA cites Home Depot in San Antonio for lack of
worker protective equipment, improper recordkeeping.
Home Depot U.S.A. Inc. at 9115 North Loop 1604 in San Antonio faces
proposed penalties of $70,500 for lacking adequate personal protective
equipment and deficient injury recordkeeping. OSHA began its
inspection on July 30, which found that an employee had sustained
chemical burns due to lack of appropriate personal protective equipment
and training for protective equipment...
November 29 2010
US
Labor Department's OSHA fines Michigan-based Cedar Creek Carpentry
$56,000 for exposing workers to fall hazards.
Proposed penalties total $56,000 for Cedar Creek Carpentry Inc., a
carpentry contractor headquartered in New Baltimore, for exposing
workers to fall hazards while performing carpentry at a worksite in New
Lenox, Ill. As part of a local emphasis program on fall
protection, OSHA began its inspection in August...
November 29 2010
US
Labor Department's OSHA cites foam manufacturer Styro-Tech LLC Safety
program for using flammable material found lacking at Denver facility.
The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health
Administration has issued Styro-Tech LLC in Denver with $66,400 in
proposed penalties for lacking a comprehensive safety program covering
the use of flammable material. OSHA's inspection found that the employer
was not implementing a comprehensive process safety management program
for handling large quantities of flammable material. OSHA also cited the
company for failure to follow energy control procedures; lack of proper
guarding for open-sided floors; improperly fixed ladders; lack of
machine guarding; and using improper electrical equipment...
November 17 2010
US
Labor Department's OSHA fines Macon, Ga., plating company more than
$300,000 for exposing workers to hazardous chemicals.
Aerospace/Defense Coatings of Georgia Inc. in Macon has been cited for
19 health violations following a complaint concerning personal
protective equipment and the handling, storing and disposing of
chemicals. Violations include personal protective equipment amongst others...
November 17 2010
US
Labor Department's OSHA proposes $287,000 in fines against US Postal
Service in Bluefield, W.Va., for exposing workers to electrical hazards.
The violations cite the facility's failure to label electrical cabinets,
properly train employees, use safety-related work practices when exposed
to energized electrical parts and provide proper electrical protective
equipment. A citation was also issued for allowing an unauthorized
employee to perform inspections...
November 16 2010
US
Labor Department's OSHA fines Precision Production Inc. more than
$149,000 for lack of hazardous energy procedures, not training workers.
Precision Production Inc., a manufacturer of fabricated components in
Cleveland, faces penalties totaling $149,250 for failing to establish
lockout/tagout procedures of energy sources, train workers on
recognizing hazardous energy sources and control methods, and require
workers to lock out machinery when performing maintenance and have
machine guards in place. Other alleged violations include failing to
develop training programs for working with hazardous chemicals, develop
and implement a workplace hazard assessment, train workers in the use
and wear of personal protective equipment...
November 16 2010
Two
New Hampshire contractors cited by US Labor Department's OSHA after
worker suffers fall injury at Nashua worksite. North
Ridge Contracting of Deerfield, N.H., faces a total of $44,000 in
proposed fines, following an incident in which a worker tripped and fell
14 feet during the dismantling of a stairway at the Benchmark
Electronics building. OSHA's inspection found that North Ridge
workers lacked fall protection while dismantling the stairway, that they
did not receive fall protection training, that workers were exposed to a
tripping hazard and that North Ridge failed to provide a competent
person to inspect the work area in order to identify and correct such
hazards...
November 10 2010
Judge
upholds citations issued to Missouri company by US Labor Department's
OSHA following investigation of fatal falls. Penalties total
$871,500. In its decision, the Occupational Safety and
Health Review Commission affirmed a total of six serious and 12 willful
violations, with an assessed penalty of $871,500. Of significance was
the judge's affirmation of OSHA's egregious or
violation–by–violation penalty policy, where eight willful
violations were issued to the company accounting for each employee
exposed to the same fall hazard. "Companies that willfully
and intentionally violate the Occupational Safety and Health Act will be
prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law," said Charles E.
Adkins, OSHA's regional administrator in Kansas City, Mo.
"Employers must fulfill their responsibility to keep employees
safe, or face the consequences when they fail to do so."
November 9 2010
Contractor
faces $70,000 fine from US Labor Department's OSHA after worker falls
from ladder. The company was cited for an alleged
willful violation of safety standards after a worker was injured when he
fell 15 feet from a ladder at a Portsmouth, R.I., jobsite and faces the
maximum proposed fine of $70,000 for failing to provide fall protection
. "We found employees working without any form of fall protection
at heights up to 15 feet, even though this employer well knows the
requirement for fall protection whenever employees work at heights of 6
feet or above," said Patrick Griffin, OSHA's area director for
Rhode Island...
November 3 2010
US
Labor Department's OSHA fines Lowe's Rockford Distribution Center
$182,000 for recordkeeping violations. OSHA has cited
the Lowe's Home Centers Inc. regional distribution center in Rockford
with proposed penalties of $182,000 for alleged continuous failure to
correctly classify injuries or illnesses and not correctly recording the
number of days a worker was away from work due to injury or illness in
the OSHA 300 log. "Accurate injury and illness records are vital to
protecting workers' health and safety," said OSHA Area Director
Kathy Webb in North Aurora, Ill. "Accurate records are an important
tool that employers and workers can use to identify hazards in the
workplace, and they also enable OSHA to better target its
resources"...
October 19 2010
US
Labor Department's OSHA fines Columbus, Ohio, US Postal Service
processing center $210,000 for electrical and equipment hazards.
The Postal Service failed to provide adequate electrical safety
training, ensure that workers followed safety-related work practices
while working on electrical equipment and provide workers with
appropriate personal protective equipment while working on energized
electrical equipment...
September 29 2010
U.S.
Labor Department's OSHA fines Heartland Refinery in Columbus, Ohio,
$68,000 for exposing workers to fire hazards.
September 28 2010
U.S.
Labor Department's OSHA cites Atlanta company with $48,000 in proposed
fines for lack of written PPE hazard assessment and hazard communication
program deficiencies.
September 7 2010
U.S.
Labor Department's OSHA proposes $89,000 in fines to CVS Pharmacy for
exit, storage and other hazards at Orange, Conn., store. OSHA
found that employees working in the store's stockroom were not provided
with unobstructed and effective emergency exit routes due to containers
and pallets blocking the routes...
September 7 2010
U.S.
Labor Department fines Watchung, NJ, Dollar Tree Stores more than
$50,000 for exposing workers to workplace safety hazards. Violations
include failing to properly stack, block, interlock or limit the height
of stored materials, to cover exposed electrical outlets, and to keep
storage areas free of tripping and fire hazards...
September 1 2010
U.S.
Department of Labor cites Houston manufacturing company for hiding
work-related injuries and illnesses; fines exceed $1.2 million.
August 31 2010
U.S.
Department of Labor fines Wisconsin company $369,500 in proposed
penalties for inadequate hearing conservation program, recordkeeping and
other violations.
August 23 2010
OSHA
fines Karl's Event Rental $85,000 for combustible dust, electrical and
other hazards.
August 20 2010
U.S.
Department of Labor proposes $350,000 in fines against US Postal Service
for electrical hazards at Portsmouth, NH, mail processing facility.
August 12 2010
U.S.
Department of Labor cites AmeriCold Logistics with $189,000 in fines for
serious safety violations at Burley, Idaho, facility. Many
of the alleged violations cited were for deficiencies in Americold
Logistics' process safety management program, which helps to ensure that
operations involving hazardous chemicals are performed in a safe
manner...
August 9 2010
U.S.
Department of Labor's OSHA proposes $357,000 in fines against US Postal
Service for electrical hazards at Boston mail processing facility.
July 29 2010
U.S.
Labor
Department's OSHA proposes $420,000 in fines against US Postal Service
for electrical hazards at Vermont mail processing facility.
July 29 2010
Noise
exposure complaint leads to proposed OSHA fines of $73,500 at Marcum
Transport of Verdunville, W.Va.
July 20 2010
U.S.
Department of Labor proposes $112,000 in fines against Home Depot USA
for chemical hazards and inadequate safety training.
July 12 2010
U.S.
Department of Labor cites Krestmark Industries in Dallas for allegedly
lacking hearing conservation program and other safety and health
violations. A willful violation has been issued for
the company's failure to institute...
July 6 2010
U.S.
Department of Labor files worker safety complaint against USPS.
Complaint requests enterprise-wide remedy, a 1st...
July 12 2010
OSHA
proposes $272,000 in fines against US Postal Service for exposing workers
to electrical hazards at Capitol Heights, Md., facility. "These
citations and sizable fines reflect the Postal Service's failure to equip
its workers with the necessary knowledge and skills to safely
work"...
June 28 2010
OSHA
proposes $430,000 in fines against US Postal Service for electrical
hazards at Scarborough, Maine mail processing facility.
"The Postal Service knew that proper and effective training
was needed for the safety of its workers but did not provide it."...
June 15 2010
Employer
ordered by US Department of Labor to make amends to employee censured
for reporting work-related injury.
June 8 2010
OSHA
fines US Postal Service nearly $500,000 for exposing workers to
electrical hazards at two Philadelphia facilities. OSHA's
inspections found inadequately trained employees performing work without
the proper personal protective equipment while being exposed to live
parts...
June 1 2010
OSHA
cites Linden, NJ, manufacturer for exposing employees to chemical
hazards. OSHA has proposed penalties
totaling $88,500 for hazards found in an inspection initiated upon
receiving a complaint related to a chlorine release at the
facility. Among the hazards observed by OSHA inspectors was the
company's failure to establish and implement written procedures required
to manage any changes to technology, facilities, equipment and
procedures that can potentially impact a chemical process...
May 26 2010
OSHA
orders United Parcel Service to compensate driver terminated for
refusing to drive due to safety concerns. OSHA
investigated the employee's allegation that UPS terminated his
employment in retaliation for his refusal to drive after raising safety
concerns and has ordered UPS to pay $111,008...
May 20 2010
OSHA
cites former North Brunswick, NJ, manufacturer for exposing workers to
risks involving hazardous chemicals. Church &
Dwight Co. Inc. has been cited fro 14 serious violations involving
employee exposure to chemical hazards. Proposed penalties total
$55,125...
May 20 2010
OSHA
finds CSX Transportation Inc. retaliated against dispatcher who reported
safety concerns. The rail carrier was ordered to
rescind discipline and pay worker $5,000 in punitive damages...
May 13 2010
OSHA
proposes $51,750 in penalties to Parsippany, NJ, clothing companies for
workplace safety and health violations. The
U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration
has cited Salonika Associates LLC and Alfred Dunner Inc. for a variety
of hazards, including an inadequate lockout tagout program, employee
exposure to live energy sources, a lack of machine guarding, a deficient
hazard communication program, an inadequate respiratory protection
program, along with other health violations involving bloodborne
pathogens...
May 10 2010
OSHA
finds Port Authority Trans-Hudson Corp. violated whistleblower law.
A whistleblower investigation by the U.S.
Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration
found that the company violated an employee's rights when he was absent
from work while recovering from an injury...
May 10 2010
US
Department of Labor's OSHA fines US Postal Service processing center
$210,000 for safety violations. OSHA's
inspection found that the postal service failed to provide required
electrical safety training for its workers; to ensure workers used
safety-related work practices while working on electrical equipment; and
to provide workers with appropriate personal protective equipment while
working on energized equipment...
May 10 2010
US
Department of Labor's OSHA proposes $217,000 in fines against US Postal
Service for electrical hazards at Denver mail processing facility.
OSHA's inspection found that employees were
performing testing on live electrical equipment and doing so without
adequate training, personal protective equipment and safety-related work
practices...
April 28 2010
US
Department of Labor's OSHA fines Lowe's Home Center $110,000 for
recordkeeping violations at Cincinnati and Dayton stores. OSHA
requires employers to record and maintain occupational injuries and
illnesses on the OSHA 300 log. "Accurate records are an
important tool that employers and workers can use to identify hazards in
the workplace, and they also enable OSHA to better target its
resources."...
April 14 2010
US
Department of Labor's OSHA proposes $61,500 in penalties against
Fleetpride Inc. for safety violations. An
OSHA inspection alleges that the company had damaged, inoperable
emergency lighting; exit signs not illuminated; improper personal protective equipment, no hazard assessment
certification, no personal protective equipment training certification
and no cover on an electrical box...
March 26 2010
OSHA
cites Fort Worth, Texas-based FWT Inc. for alleged workplace safety and
health violations. Proposed penalties total
$239,400 for OSHA citations that include failure to conduct noise
monitoring, to identify and evaluate respiratory hazards...
March 18 2010
OSHA
proposes $55,000 in penalties against American Warming and Ventilating,
Inc. for
safety violations. OSHA opened an inspection at
American Warming and Ventilating Inc. as part of its site-specific
targeting program. As a result of this inspection, OSHA has issued
violations for lack of proper fall protection, improper lockout and
tagout procedures, lack of proper machine guarding, lack of proper
training...
March 17 2010
OSHA
fines Allentown, Pa., company $101,700 for failing to abate workplace
safety and health hazards. OSHA has cited
COMPUSPAR USA Inc. for failing to abate previously cited workplace
safety and health violations, including failure to maintain OSHA 300
logs; to develop and implement a hazard communication program; to train
employees on hazardous chemicals...
March 2 2010
OSHA
proposes nearly $59,000 in fines against Cheshire, Conn., food
distribution warehouse. Citations address a
cross section of mechanical, electrical and exit access hazards that
exposed workers to the dangers of electric shock or unable to swiftly
exit the workplace in the event of a fire or other emergency...
February 18 2010
OSHA
cites Cranesville Block Co. for safety and health hazards at Kingston,
NY, plant. OSHA has proposed $45,500 in fines
for alleged violations of health and safety standards after an
inspection prompted by employee complaints. Specific hazards
included blocked exits, workers lacking safety glasses and gloves when
working with acid, unlabeled containers of hazardous chemicals, unmarked
electrical equipment, exposed live electrical parts and moisture in
electrical equipment...
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