Cleaning man pulled into sausage-making machine
Here’s a reminder for maintenance and cleaning workers: It’s crucial that machines are locked and tagged out while they’re working on them.
Signs
Companies challenging OSHA fines for heat-related deaths
For the second time in recent weeks, a company says it will contest OSHA fines in connection with the death of an employee due to heat stress.
Company fined $1.3M, named Severe Violator for variety of willful, serious violations
OSHA fined an Ohio metal heat treatment company more than $1 million for a variety of willful and serious violations and placed it in the Severe Violator Enforcement Program.
Company ordered to pay $615K in whistleblower investigation
An OSHA investigation has found that Union Pacific Railroad retaliated against three employees for reporting safety issues and injuries. Now the railroad will have to pay a price.
Company settles whistleblower case with OSHA, changes policies
BNSF Railway Co. has signed an agreement with OSHA to address alleged violations of the whistleblower provisions of the Federal Railroad Safety Act (FRSA). As a result, the railroad will change several safety and personnel policies.
Construction worker dies from heat stroke
A lot of attention has been paid lately to the plight of farm workers who labor in extreme heat in California. But heat stress dangers aren’t limited to the agriculture industry.
Costumed amusement park employees suffer heat-related illness: OSHA fine
OSHA says more than one employee at Dorney Park and Wildwater Kingdom near Allentown, PA, suffered heat-related illnesses while performing in encapsulated costumes last summer. Now the park’s parent company faces fines.
Court throws out Wal-Mart fine, but upholds OSHA regulation: Here’s why
Wal-Mart is off the hook but other companies may not be when it comes to an OSHA regulation regarding hazard assessments. OSHA’s Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) plays a part in a federal court’s decision in this case.
Court: Employee was worked to death, widow gets comp
A maintenance worker put in 14+ hours one day at work, which included using a jackhammer for hours. He died on the job of a heart attack. His widow wants workers’ comp death benefits. His employer denied her claim. Why did a court conclude his death was compensable?
Did foot blister lead to costly workers’ comp case?
Probably most of us have had a foot blister due to a pair of shoes that didn’t fit quite right. This employee says his steel-toed boots, required at work, led to a costly medical problem. Did he get workers’ comp for the injury?
Difficult message: When not to rescue a hurt co-worker
Some employees may not understand at first why you’d tell them not to rescue a co-worker who has collapsed. But this case provides a good reminder of the potential consequences.
Do workers get used to extreme heat over time?
A common belief says workers get used to extreme heat with the passage of time. Now a new study reveals whether that’s really true and what that means to employees and employers.
Does .05 blood alcohol content disqualify employee from workers’ comp?
A company tried to deny workers’ comp benefits to an injured employee, saying he was intoxicated when he was injured. Just what counts as “intoxicated” when it comes to workers’ comp?
Does bad economy create more workplace violence?
Reports say the shooter who killed three others and himself at ABB Group in St. Louis was a retiree who was part of a lawsuit against the company, and he apparently had a gripe against his former employer.
Driver walks off job over truck’s safety: Can company fire him?
A driver raises safety questions about the truck his employer assigns him to drive. The company fires him when he refuses to drive the truck because it was leaking coolant. Does the driver get whistleblower protection?
Employee crushed to death in garbage compactor
Cal/OSHA is investigating how a grocery store employee was crushed to death in a garbage compactor.
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