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OSHA Guidance and
Emphasis Programs for Restaurant Owners
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
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.
November
1 2011
New OSHA Alliance focuses on workers’ safety and health in restaurant
industry.
October
20 2011
Statement from Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis on reported decline in
workplace injuries and illnesses.
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
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 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:..
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
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
Updated
OSHA guidance helps protect late-night retail workers from workplace
violence
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 Restaurants
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 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 a written hazard communication program;
conduct a personal protective equipment hazard assessment; 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; properly mount and identify
portable fire extinguishers; 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 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 hazard communication training; provide sanitary washing
facilities as well as access to eyewash and shower stations; provide
personal protective equipment; 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.
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...
December 5 2011
Miami,
Fla., contractor cited by US Department of Labor's OSHA for willful and
serious violations following carbon monoxide incident.
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.
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...
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; 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 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, 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..."
July 28 2011
US
Labor Department's OSHA cites Decatur, Ga., bakery after worker suffers
finger laceration from bread slicer. Proposed penalties total $51,800. Violations
include inadequate machine guarding and failure to conduct periodic
inspections of energy control procedures. Additional citations were
issued for not completing the OSHA 300A and 301 logs for recording
injuries and illnesses...
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 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 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 and other hazardous
chemicals. Four other violations were cited for incomplete OSHA 300
illness and injury logs...
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; 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...
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 23 2011
US
Department of Labor's OSHA cites Rite Aid Pharmacy for blocked emergency
exits at Brooklyn, NY, store; proposes $60,500 fine.
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, 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...
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 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 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...
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
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 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; had improper personal protective equipment, no hazard assessment
certification, no personal protective equipment training certification
and no cover on an electrical box...
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 18 2010
OSHA
cites Cranesville Block Co. for safety and health hazards in Kingston,
NY. 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, unlabeled containers of hazardous chemicals, unmarked
electrical equipment, exposed live electrical parts and moisture in
electrical equipment...
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