Safety/Health

Hear me now? OSHA slams firm for noise hazards–again

04/30/2012

Apparently, Piping Technology & Products (PTP) is a noisy place—so noisy that management failed to hear OSHA the first time it cited the company a year ago. Now it must pay OSHA fines totaling $118,000 after inspectors discovered conditions leading to one willful and nine serious health and safety violations.

Worker gas deaths lead to hefty fines from Cal/OSHA

04/19/2012

Cal/OSHA has cited Lamont-based Community Recycling and Resources Recovery for 16 workplace safety violations after two brothers died from hydrogen sulfide gas exposure while working in a storm drain.

Safety trumps bias claim in case of ‘no skirts’ rule

04/16/2012

One of the few times you can overrule an employee’s religious accommodation requests is when safety is involved, as the following case shows.

OSHA publishes new hazard communication standards

04/12/2012

OSHA has updated its hazard communication standard to harmonize it with international standards. Companies that manufacture, transport or have chemicals in the workplace must begin complying with the new standard by June 26.

Troy manufacturer charged with 55 safety violations

04/09/2012

OSHA has cited Troy-based welding equipment manufacturer Hobart Brothers Co. with 55 safety violations totaling $174,600 in fines.

11 guidelines for preventing and addressing workplace violence

04/03/2012

Nearly 2 million U.S. workers are victims of workplace violence each year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Last year, 506 employees were slain at work.Don’t let your organization add to those sobering statistics. To reduce the chance of workplace violence—or your liability if it does happen—follow these 11 guidelines:

‘Walking the corn’ deaths lead to fines

03/22/2012

Mount Carroll-based Haasbach LLC has resolved 25 OSHA citations stemming from the deaths of two young workers at its grain bin facility.

OSHA finds violations at St. Cloud veterans facility

03/14/2012

St. Cloud Veterans Affairs Health Care System facility faces 19 health and safety violations after OSHA inspectors found eight repeat safety violations for such hazards as inadequate guardrails, blocked exit routes and failure to protect workers against electrical shocks.

OSHA: Euless printer clueless about safety

03/08/2012

Printing company SpeQtrum Prepress Production Services faces 14 serious safety and health violations and one other-than-serious violation following an OSHA inspection of its facility in Euless. Proposed penalties add up to $44,800.

OSHA to AirTran: Pay whistle-blower, let him fly