Failed to protect workers from dust and noise: $758K fine
Even without a combustible dust standard, OSHA can fine companies for failing to provide appropriate fire and explosion protection from combustible dust.
Combustible Dust
Failure to correct previous violations leads to 293K OSHA fine
When companies fail to correct violations found during inspections, they can expect OSHA to hit them with heavy fines after a re-inspection.
Fatal sugar explosion caused by poor maintenance, housekeeping
A government agency says the February 2008 explosion and fire at the Imperial Sugar plant in Port Wentworth, GA, that killed 14 workers and injured 36 others, was caused by poor equipment design, maintenance and housekeeping.
Fine shows OSHA is serious about combustible dust crackdown
An Alabama company faces one willful violation from OSHA for allowing explosive dust to accumulate on machinery and the shop floor.
Flash fire shoots flames 40 feet high: 1 killed, 1 injured
OSHA is investigating just what caused a flash fire that killed one worker and injured another at a manufacturer of wood molding and doors in Kansas.
Half-million in OSHA fines – violations include combustible dust problems
OSHA has issued $477,900 in fines to Alfa Laval Inc. for 50 violations at its Broken Arrow, OK, plant. OSHA says the company has failed “to make needed changes to its safety program.”
Inspected due to high injury rate: $175K in OSHA fines
This company got snared in OSHA’s Site-Specific Targeting (SST) program which focuses on employers with injury rates that are higher than their industry’s national average.
No criminal charges in Imperial Sugar explosion that killed 14 workers
A U.S. Attorney has said there’s insufficient evidence to seek criminal charges against Imperial Sugar or its executives in connection with the 2008 explosion that killed 14 workers and hospitalized 40 more. The case shows just how difficult it is to bring these sort of charges under current U.S. laws.
Not reporting injuries could bring an OSHA inspector to your door
Questions have arisen about whether the Trump administration has weakened the OSHA electronic injury reporting rule because there appear to be few (if any) penalties tied to not reporting. That’s changed.
Notre-Dame architect acknowledges mistakes were made in fire protection plan
One of the more difficult tasks in protecting buildings from fire is bringing old structures up to modern fire codes. So the challenge of protecting centuries-old Notre-Dame was daunting. Now, an official says they underestimated the challenge.
OSHA General Duty Clause
In cases in which a particular hazard isn’t addressed by any OSHA standard, the General Duty Clause, Section 5(a)(1), may be cited. The GDC says: Each employer shall furnish to each of his employees employment and a place of employment which are free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death […]
OSHA inspections decline slightly, some categories see increases
OSHA’s inspection summary for fiscal year 2018 shows the agency conducted fewer inspections than the previous fiscal year, but certain types of inspections were up.
OSHA isn’t budging on 8.8 mil fine
It’s been a little over a year since the feds announced the third-largest penalty in OSHA history.
OSHA moves forward on food flavoring and combustible dust regulations
Companies face two new workplace health and safety rules: one on food flavorings, another on combustible dust.
OSHA: The next four years under President Obama
The election has produced status quo in Washington DC: President Obama re-elected, Democrats control the Senate, Republicans control the House. However, don’t expect the status quo at OSHA in the next four years.
OSHA’s new budget shows its upcoming priorities
Will OSHA conduct more inspections in federal Fiscal Year 2013 (FY 2013)? Will there be new regulations? And how does the agency plan to fund compliance assistance to companies? President Obama’s budget proposal shows what’s ahead.
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