CURRENT OSHA NEWS
Region 5 News Release: 10-1469-CHI
Oct. 27, 2010
Contact: Rhonda Burke Scott Allen
Phone: 312-353-6976 312-353-4727
Email: burke.rhonda@dol.gov allen.scott@dol.gov
US Labor Department's OSHA fines Lake Villa employer $140,700
for failing to lock out machine energy sources and endangering workers
LAKE VILLA, Ill. — The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited C & F Packing Co. Inc. of Lake Villa with two alleged willful and 12 serious violations for failing to ensure lockout procedures and guarding devices were applied to machinery. Proposed fines total $140,700.
"C & F Packing has demonstrated a disregard for worker safety by placing workers at risk for serious injury from machine rotating parts," said OSHA Area Director Diane M. Turek in Des Plaines, Ill. "That is not acceptable, and we are committed to seeing that the workers at this facility are provided a safe and healthy workplace."
OSHA initiated its inspection in April. As a result, the company was cited for two willful citations with proposed fines of $112,000 for failing to ensure lockout devices were applied to machinery when workers were performing tasks where lockout was required and for failing to ensure rotating parts on machinery were properly guarded. A willful violation is one committed with intentional, knowing or voluntary disregard for the law's requirements, or plain indifference to employee safety and health.
The serious violations with proposed penalties of $28,700 were cited for failing to provide standard railings on open-sided platforms, require protective eye and face wear for employees working with corrosive chemicals, conduct required periodic inspections of energy control procedures, provide training on lockout/tagout procedures and ensure guards were affixed to machinery to cover dangerous areas. A serious citation is issued when there is substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result from a hazard about which the employer knew or should have known.
The company, which manufactures sausages, meats and frozen meat toppings, has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA's area director or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. Employers and employees with questions regarding workplace safety and health standards can call OSHA's Chicago Regional Office at 312-353-2220. To report workplace injuries, fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to workers, call OSHA's toll-free hotline at 800-321-OSHA (6742).
Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA's role is to assure these conditions for America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov.
Region 3 News Release: 10-1468-PHI (osha 10-208)
Oct. 25, 2010
Contact: Leni Fortson
Phone: 215-861-5102
E-mail: uddyback-fortson.lenore@dol.gov
US Labor Department's OSHA cites Aliquippa, Pa., landscaping
company for safety violations following worker electrocution
ALIQUIPPA, Pa. -- The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Richard Kaposy, doing business as Treeman Landscaping, for safety violations following a fatal worker electrocution at a Bethel Park, Pa., work site.
OSHA initiated an investigation on April 21 when a worker made contact with a high-voltage power line while tree cutting. As a result of the investigation, the company was cited for two willful, seven serious and three other-than-serious violations.
"This company did not take the proper precautions to protect workers faced with potential electrical hazards," said Robert Szymanski, director of OSHA's Pittsburgh's Area Office. "These violations must be abated immediately to prevent another fatality."
The willful violations were for failing to provide personal protective equipment for workers cutting in and below trees, and for ensuring that an unqualified worker did not work in proximity to an energized electrical line. A willful violation is one committed with intentional knowing or voluntary disregard for the law's requirements, or with plain indifference to worker safety and health.
The serious violations include failing to conduct a hazard assessment, provide personal protective equipment training and provide first aid supplies. A serious citation is issued when there is substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result from a hazard about which the employer knew or should have known.
The company received other-than-serious violations for failing to develop, implement and maintain a hazard communication program, maintain material safety data sheets for hazardous chemicals used by employees on site, and provide information and training to employees on the hazardous chemicals in their work area. An other-than-serious violation is one that has a direct relationship to job safety and health, but probably would not cause death or serious physical harm.
The proposed OSHA penalties total $119,700. The company has 15 business days from receipt of the citations to comply, ask for an informal conference with OSHA's area director or contest the citations and proposed penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. The investigation was conducted by OSHA's Pittsburgh Area Office; telephone 412-395-4903. To report workplace accidents, fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to workers, call OSHA's toll-free hotline at 800-321-OSHA (6742).
Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA's role is to assure these conditions for America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov.
OSHA Quick Takes -
March 15, 2010
"OSHA Listens" reflects Obama's Open Government initiative; attracts 5,000 viewers
OSHA hosted an "OSHA Listens" public meeting March 4 in Washington, D.C., to solicit comments and suggestions from OSHA stakeholders on key issues facing the agency. The event, reflecting President Obama's Open Government initiative on inclusiveness and transparency, was broadcast live on the Internet, where it attracted more than 5,000 viewers, and public comments were posted online. The meeting provided an opportunity for the public to communicate with its government, and it is just the beginning of OSHA's commitment to engaging the public in its decision making. "I made a commitment to listen to OSHA's stakeholders, and to present opportunities for them to engage with OSHA to provide suggestions and comments on the best ways for the agency to address major safety and health concerns in workplaces across our nation," said Dr. David Michaels, assistant secretary of labor for OSHA. A panel consisting of Michaels, Chief of Staff Debbie Berkowitz, Enforcement Director Rich Fairfax, and Standards Director Dorothy Dougherty listened to family members describing the deaths of relatives at worksites, and industry, labor, academic and professional representatives commenting on the importance of safety and health programs, compliance assistance, and updating permissible exposure limits, among other topics. All written comments, a meeting transcript, and the archived Webcast will be available online at www.osha.gov by the end of this month.
OSHA fines BP-Husky $3 million for failing to protect workers
OSHA proposed more than $3 million in fines against BP North America Inc. and BP-Husky Refining LLC's refinery in Oregon, Ohio. The company was cited for exposing workers to serious hazards such as not providing adequate pressure relief for process units, failing to prevent the hazardous accumulation of fuel in process heaters, and exposing workers to potential injury and death from explosion-related building collapses of the nine buildings in the refinery. "OSHA has found that BP often ignored or severely delayed fixing known hazards in its refineries," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "There is no excuse for taking chances with people's lives. BP must fix the hazards now." BP's failure to correct potential hazards faced by workers at its Texas City, Texas, refinery resulted in a proposed penalty of more than $87 million in 2009. That fine was the largest ever proposed by OSHA, surpassing the $21 million fine levied against BP in 2005 for safety violations at the same plant that resulted in a massive explosion killing 15 people and injuring 170 others. For more information and citation summary, read the news release.
Enhancing Latino worker safety and health is focus of OSHA safety fair
Increasing awareness about workplace safety and health among Latino workers and their families is the focus of the "We Can Help" Safety Fair April 17 in Houston. This event, sponsored by OSHA and the U.S. Wage and Hour Division, will offer worker training on identifying and avoiding construction hazards such as falls, electrocutions, caught in and struck by. The safety fair is a continuation of the OSHA National Action Summit for Latino Worker Health and Safety April 14-15 that focuses on reducing injuries and illnesses and enhancing knowledge about workplace rights. Visit the safety fair Web page for more information.
Agency orders employer to pay worker back wages and $600,000 in damages
Following a whistleblower investigation, OSHA ordered e-Smart Technologies to pay a worker back wages and $600,000 in compensatory damages. The worker was fired after raising concerns about misinformation in a Securities and Exchange Commission filing. For more details, read the news release. Visit OSHA's Web site to learn more about whistleblower protection for workers.
OSHA schedules public hearing in Pittsburgh on hazard communication rule
OSHA will host an informal public hearing March 31 at the Marriott Pittsburgh, Pa., City Center on the proposal to align the agency's hazard communication standard with the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals. The proposed rule will improve the consistency and effectiveness of chemical hazard communication and reduce workers' chemical-related injuries, illnesses and fatalities. The first hearing was held March 2-5 in Washington, D.C. The April 13 hearing in Los Angeles has been cancelled. For details on the public hearings, read the Federal Register notice.
Fraudulent safety trainer added to OSHA's "Watch List"
OSHA added another trainer to its "Outreach Trainer Watch List" after an investigation showed the trainer failed to comply with program guidelines. The list comprises individuals whose training authorization status has been revoked or suspended because of fraudulent activity. OSHA's investigation of Tyrone Nichols revealed he failed to collect and retain course records and falsified information on OSHA-issued student course completion cards for an OSHA 10-hour construction safety course. Nichols' training authorization was revoked. OSHA's voluntary Outreach Training Program features a national network of more than 16,000 independent trainers. The agency continues to strengthen the program's integrity by stopping frau dulent trainers from conducting courses.
Agency extends comment period on change to injury and illness data collection
OSHA is extending the comment period on the proposal to revise its Occupational Injury and Illness Recording and Reporting regulation to March 30 because of weather-related federal government closures in February and to correct the comment period stated in the proposed rule. The proposal focuses on restoring a column on the OSHA Form 300 to better identify work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). The rule does not change existing requirements for when and under what circumstances employers must record MSDs on their injury and illness logs. Read the news release for more information.
OSHA forum focuses on green jobs safety
It's not too late to save the date for OSHA's April 1 "Green Jobs" forum to help workers and small business employers understand hazards related to green jobs in construction, energy, and waste management and recycling. The event, scheduled from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. EDT at the Labor Department in Washington, D.C., is part of a series of forums that foster collaboration between the small business community and federal government on safety and health management issues. To register, contact Mandi Garner at Garner.Mandi@dol.gov or 202-693-2234. Visit OSHA's Web site for more information on how OSHA assists small business employers in providing a safe and healthful workplace for their workers.
New safety bulletins on electrical hazards and amputations in the workplace
OSHA has produced two new Safety and Health Information Bulletins (SHIBs) to help protect workers from electrical hazards and amputations in the workplace. The "Certification of Workplace Products by Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratories" SHIB helps workers and employers understand and prevent electrical hazards, such as fire, arc flash, explosions, electric shock and electrocution, caused by the installation and use of products or equipment not tested or certified by a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory. The "Hazards Associated with the 'Unintended (Double) Cycling' of Mechanical Power Presses" SHIB stresses how amputations can be prevented by ensuring the proper installation and function of safety devices that stop a mec hanical power press from operating when a worker's hand is placed at the point of operation.
OSHA putting more inspectors on construction sites in TexasAustin Business Journal - by Casey Wooten Contributing Writer
Friday, August 21, 2009
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has increased the number of inspectors in Texas in an effort to bolster construction site safety compliance. To do so, the organization has brought in inspectors from outside Texas, although it has declined to say how many.
In a May announcement, the Department of Labor, which OSHA is under, said it is focusing on Texas because the state has the highest rate of construction site fatalities in the country. In 2008, there were 67 work site fatalities in Texas. So far this year, there have been 33, according to the organization, including a handful in Austin.
“OSHA is conducting this initiative to raise awareness,” Elizabeth Todd, an OSHA representative based in its regional office in Dallas, said in an email.
The increase in unannounced inspections is part of a broader push by the Labor Department. Since the appointment of Labor Secretary Hilda Solis, the department has announced it will ramp up enforcement efforts. The organization will replace its Enhanced Enforcement Program, which identifies repeat offenders and targets them for closer inspection, with something called the Severe Violators Inspection Program, which will focus more on large companies than small businesses.
OSHA launches Texas construction safety initiative
Texas experiences more construction industry fatalities than any other state, so OSHA launched a new construction safety initiative throughout Texas. A team of OSHA compliance safety and health officers from around the country will inspect Texas construction sites to help keep Texas construction workers alive and healthy.
Construction is at its peak during the summer, so OSHA is reminding employers and workers about the potential hazards they can face on the job. OSHA's Preventing Fatal Falls in Construction and Construction Safety and Health Topics Web pages are resources to help employers and workers identify hazards and possible solutions to those hazards. Visit OSHA's Web site and publications page for more information on how to protect workers and prevent workplace injuries and fatalities.
Quick action by OSHA inspector helps avert employee injuries in trench collapse
When a compliance safety and health officer from OSHA's Chicago North Area Office arrived at a jobsite in April to conduct a trench inspection, he observed an employee working in an unprotected 8-foot-6-inch deep trench. The employee had exited the trench and was preparing to re-enter when the compliance officer identified himself. The employee then voluntarily agreed to not re-enter the trench until adequate cave-in protection was provided. The CSHO began identifying signs of cracks and fissures to the employer as indicators of a potential collapse and explaining the dangers of working in such conditions. Within minutes, the wall collapsed in the area where the employee had been working. Detailed information on excavation safety is available on OSHA's trenching and excavation Safety and Health Topics Web page.
Three more OSHA standards added to revised shipyard industry document
Fire Protection in Shipyard Employment, contamination issues related to Hexavalent Chromium and Employer Payment for Personal Protective Equipment are three additions to OSHA's "Shipyard Industry Standards" guidance document. This new resource revises the existing "Shipyard Industry Digest" and incorporates new shipyard employment requirements that have been finalized since the booklet was last published.
Alliance with Mexican Consulate aids New York and New Jersey workers
OSHA's Region II renewed an alliance with the Consulate General of Mexico in New York City. The alliance will focus on reducing non-English and limited English-speaking workers' exposure to fall, electrical, amputation and other construction hazards through safety training programs.
OSHA strengthens integrity of Outreach Training Program
OSHA is strengthening the integrity of its 36-year-old Outreach Training Program by improving how trainers become authorized to teach and ensuring these trainers are in compliance with OSHA program guidelines. Visit OSHA's Directorate of Training and Education Web page for more information about the program.
OSHA plays role in strengthening ties with Hispanic community to help improve job safety and health
OSHA's Buffalo, N.Y., Area Office and local health, fire, rescue and emergency medical services organizations teamed to sponsor the June 2009 Buffalo Hispanic Family Health and Safety Fair. This event attracted more than 60 exhibitors promoting health and safety to individuals in western New York's Hispanic community. OSHA staff conducted safety training sessions in Spanish for approximately 1,800 people. Topics included electrical safety, trenching and excavations, and fall hazards. For more information and future fair plans, contact the Buffalo office at 716-551-3053.
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