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OSHA Guidance and
Emphasis Programs for General 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.
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.
December
14 2011
OSHA publishes Direct Final Rule on Acetylene Standard.
Direct final rule will become effective
on March 5, 2012 unless OSHA receives significant adverse comment by
January 4, 2012.
November
30 2011
New tire charts will help workers safely service single-piece and
multi-piece rim wheels.
November
9 2011
US Labor Department's OSHA encourages major retailers to provide crowd
management measures to protect workers during major sales events.
November
9 2011
OSHA Fact Sheet for Crowd Management Safety Guidelines for Retailers.
November
9 2011
Statement from Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA on increase of
nonfatal occupational injuries among health care workers.
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.
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, slings, 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
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 16 2010
OSHA
schedules combustible dust stakeholder meetings in Chicago to address
workplace hazards.
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 25 2010
OSHA
invites interested parties to participate in meetings on combustible
dust workplace hazards
January 13 2010
OSHA
booklet outlines hexavalent chromium standards
January 8 2010
New
OSHA videos provide respirator and facemask safety guidance
January 7 2010
OSHA
announces informal public hearing on hazard communication rule
November
23 2009
OSHA
focuses local emphasis program on general industry establishments with
noise, respiratory hazards.
October 21 2009
OSHA
issues proposed rule for combustible dust.
October 1 2009
OSHA
issues proposed rule to adopt the Globally Harmonized Hazard
Communication System.
September 30 2009
Notice
of Injury and Illness Recordkeeping National Emphasis Program
September 15 2009
OSHA
document describes silica control.
September 9 2009
OSHA
issues final rule updating personal protective equipment standards.
April 29 2009
OSHA
announces rulemaking on combustible dust hazards.
November 8 2008
Hazards
of Transporting, Unloading, Storing and Handling Granite, Marble and Stone
Slabs.
February 1 2008
OSHA
establishes national emphasis program on Silica
Recent General Industry OSHA Citations
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 18 2012
US
Department of Labor's OSHA cites American Railcar Industries for safety
violations following electrocution of worker near Marmaduke, Ark.
OSHA's investigation found that workers were being exposed to electrical
shocks from welding equipment. The violations include failing to provide
personal protection for employees conducting cutting and welding
operations; properly mark the power supply and control boxes for
voltage, current and wattage; use fixed wiring instead of flexible cords
and protect the wiring from possible damage; remove defective electrical
equipment from service; and inspect and mark web slings...
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 tile 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
Georgia
plastics manufacturer cited by US Department of Labor's OSHA for
exposing workers to falls, shocks, combustible dust and other hazards; proposed
penalties total $55,755.
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 Newton, NJ, manufacturer for workplace
safety and health violations, proposes nearly $49,000 in fines.
Violations involve obstructed exit routes; lack of proper machine
guarding; failing to implement a hearing conservation program that
includes noise monitoring, audiometric testing and training; properly
mount and identify portable fire extinguishers; provide powered
industrial truck training; implement a hazard communication program that
includes training; ensure proper use and listing of electrical
equipment; failing to record workplace injuries and illnesses on the
OSHA 300 log...
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 28 2011
US
Department of Labor's OSHA proposes more than $1 million in fines to
Houston, Texas, employer for safety violations. A
worker at Piping Technology contacted OSHA earlier this year, alleging a
lack of brakes on overhead cranes and unguarded presses at the company's
facility on Holmes Road. This complaint triggered an investigation by
OSHA's Houston South Area Office which found that workers were exposed
to amputations and other serious injuries from dangerous machinery, as
well as other hazards...
December 22 2011
Tennessee
manufacturer cited by US Labor Department's OSHA for safety and health
violations following worker fatality. OSHA opened an
inspection following a July incident in which one worker died and
another was severely burned when a spark from a light ignited paint
vapors inside the compartment of a pontoon dredge, which was being
painted to reduce corrosion...
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; ensure the use of seatbelts while operating a forklift;
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 20 2011
Warren
Fabricating and Machining faces $47,000 in fines for lack of machine
guarding, lockout/tagout and other safety violations.
The violations include failing to develop machine-specific procedures
to control energy sources and appropriate methods for securing machinery
or equipment; conduct periodic inspections of energy control procedures;
provide training to workers on lockout/tagout procedures; misuse of
powered industrial trucks, commonly know as fork trucks, including
failing to inspect trucks prior to placing them in service; ensure that
employees received powered industrial truck training; and remove
defective trucks from service; failing to provide machine guarding,
improper use of compressed air used for cleaning purposes...
December 20 2011
US
Labor Department's OSHA cites Colfor Manufacturing for exposing workers
to hazardous energy sources during machine servicing. Proposed fines
for Malvern, Ohio-based automotive parts manufacturer total $51,000.
December 12 2011
US
Labor Department's OSHA cites Mississippi's Howard Industries for safety
violations at Laurel radiator plant; proposes $59,000 in penalties.
Violations have been cited for failing to use lockout/tagout devices
for the energy sources of equipment to prevent accidental start ups
during servicing; permitting employees to operate equipment without an
electrical ground; slip and fall hazards; allowing employees to stand on
a wood pallet attached to a forklift without guardrails; failing to
provide employees with an apron and face shield when handling chemicals;
not conducting a hazard assessment to identify personal protective
equipment for workers handling chemicals; failing to evaluate the
hazards associated with confined spaces...
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 12 2011
US
Department of Labor's OSHA cites Resource Management Cos. for safety
violations after worker fatality at Earth City, Mo., recycling plant; proposed
penalties total $195,930. An inspection
was opened after a worker died from injuries sustained when he entered a
baling machine to clear a jam and it became energized. Violations were
cited for failing to lock out and tag out the energy sources of
equipment, install adequate machine guarding, hazards related to fall
protection, exits, flammable liquids, fire extinguishers, powered
industrial trucks, welding and electrical equipment, inadequate
housekeeping, excessive noise, improper personal protective equipment,
permit required space program, bloodborne pathogens hazards...
December 9 2011
US
Department of Labor's OSHA cites Colorado Blue Ribbon Foods in Rocky
Ford, Colo., for respiratory protection, material storage, powered
industrial trucks and machine guarding hazards; penalties total more
than $116,000.
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 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; inadequate training of powered industrial truck
operators; and 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...
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 22 2011
US
Department of Labor's OSHA cites Brooklyn, NY, supermarket for
locking in night shift employees, other violations; proposes more than
$62,000 in fines. Workers unable to exit swiftly in event of
emergency. An inspection found
that night shift employees were locked in and not allowed to leave the
building without the employer's permission. OSHA standards require that
employees be able to open an exit route door from inside at all times,
without keys, tools or special knowledge. A device such as a panic bar
that locks only from the outside is permitted on exit doors. Additional
violations involve obstructed exit routes as well as electrical and
tripping hazards...
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 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, not providing proper railings, failing to mark passageways to
indicate path of travel...
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 26 2011
US
Labor Department's OSHA cites AMF Bowling in Addison, Texas, following
worker fatality. a A worker was fatally
injured from being caught in a pinsetter machine while clearing a jam at
AMF Bowling Centers Inc. The company was cited for failing to conduct
periodic inspections of energy control procedures; ensure fixed stairs
were provided for access from one structural level to another; and
ensure employees were protected from falling into the pinsetter machines
by providing a guardrail system around the machines or a personal fall
arrest system. Additional violations involve failing to provide machine
guarding; provide guards for pulleys that were 7 feet or less from the
floor; and ensure that flexible cords were connected to devices and
fittings so tension would not be transmitted to the joints or terminal
screws...
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 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 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; address electrical hazards;
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; train employees on fire extinguishers;
deficiencies with OSHA Form 300, the Log of Work-Related Injuries and
Illnesses...
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 10 2011
US
Labor Department's OSHA cites Alpharetta, Ga., sign manufacturer for
workplace hazards, proposes $89,000 in fines. The
company was cited for exposing workers to fire hazards by permitting
spray painting to be performed near welding operations; for allowing
flammable material to be stored near an emergency exit; failing to
regularly inspect fire extinguishers; failing to implement a fire
extinguisher training program; failing to separate the storage of oxygen
and acetylene in a production area; failing to maintain information
sheets for chemicals employees used in the production area and failing
to develop a hazard communications program. The company also was cited
for a number of electrical violations, such as permitting the use of
extension cords with visible defects, not marking electrical panels,
blocking electrical panels and disconnects with stored materials, and
allowing electrical panels with missing breakers. Another citation was
issued for failing to implement a respiratory protection program for
employees wearing tight-fitting respirators...
May 10 2011
Minnesota-based
Best Buy cited by US Department of Labor's OSHA for safety violations
following worker injury at store in Duluth, Ga.
Penalties total $76,000 for the Best Buy Co. Inc. store on Pleasant Hill
Road in Duluth after a worker suffered severe head injuries from a fall.
The employee was stacking televisions on a storage rack while standing
on an elevated powered industrial truck's platform when it suddenly
tilted and caused the employee to fall approximately 12 feet. Violations
include failing to provide personal protective equipment that fit the
employee and guardrails for a 12-foot fall hazard; allowing
modifications to a powered industrial truck without manufacturer
approval by taping shut the drive limit switch; failing to properly fill
out the OSHA 300 log of workplace-related injuries and illnesses in
2008; and failing to certify the log in 2008 and 2009...
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...
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 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...
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 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 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 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 28 2010
U.S.
Labor Department's OSHA cites Atlanta paper recycler 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 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 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 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 for 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; and a damaged fall
protection lanyard not taken out of service. The company was also
cited for 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 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...
February 4 2010
OSHA
proposes more than$59,000 in penalties against C&W Industries for
safety and health violations. OSHA's inspection
was initiated after receiving a complaint about a number of deficiencies
at the plant, including unguarded machinery that exposed workers to
amputation hazards, insufficient training and certification for forklift
operators, and deficiencies in the plant's fire prevention system.
Additionally, the employer failed to implement lockout/tagout...
January 26 2010
OSHA
proposes $71,000 in fines against Schweizer Aircraft Corp. for hazards
at Horseheads, NY, plant. OSHA found workers
were exposed to electrocution hazards for the company's failure to first
de-energize live electrical parts before having employees work on
them. The inspection also identified several other hazards,
including misused extension cords...
January 26 2010
OSHA
proposes $90,500 in fines against Fibrelite for fire and explosion
hazards at Pawcatuck, Conn., plant. OSHA's
inspection found that combustible dust generated during trimming and
repair operations was not properly managed and was exposed to several
ignition sources, including an LP gas-powered industrial truck, exposed
wiring and a spark producing tool...
January 25 2010
OSHA
cites Mueller Industries subsidiaries in Fulton, Miss., for safety and
health violations, proposing $683,000 in penalties. OSHA
began its investigation after a maintenance worker was killed and two
other workers were injured...
January 22 2010
OSHA
proposes $97,500 in fines against C&S Wholesale Grocers Inc. for
recurring electrical and crushing hazards. OSHA has
proposed $97,500 in fines against C&S Wholesale Grocers for alleged
repeat and serious violations of safety standards following inspections
of company warehouses...
January 12 2010
OSHA
cites two employers following confined-space deaths at Queens, NY,
recycling facility. OSHA has completed
inspections prompted by a June 29, 2009, triple fatality at a Jamaica,
N.Y., recycling facility...
January 11 2010
OSHA
fines Camden chocolate processing plant following worker fatality.
OSHA has cited Lyons & Sons Inc. with seven serious citations
and Cocoa Services LP with five serious citations for workplace safety
and health violations following the death of a worker. Lack of
railing on floor openings or working platforms, exposure to falls,
failure to post warning signs to indicate confined space, failure to
provide fire extinguisher training...
January 5 2010
OSHA
proposes 41 safety and health violations totalling $274,500 in citations
against Georgia peanut processor. Investigations
reveal combustible dust, noise, and lack of machine guards and
guardrails....
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