‘Worksite of horrors’ exposed workers to asbestos, lead: $700K fine
Renovations at a former New York psychiatric center exposed workers to lead and asbestos hazards, leading to a huge OSHA settlement for this real estate development company.
Standards
$1.3M in fines for 3 grain elevator deaths, including 2 teens
Calling the fatalities “unconscionable,” Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis has announced more than $1.3 million in fines against two companies for three employee deaths in grain elevators.
$2.38 million safety fine, and it didn’t come from the feds
In a recent report, some state safety agencies came under criticism for issuing lower fines than federal OSHA. However, that’s not the case everywhere, as a $2.38 million fine against a Washington company shows.
$274K OSHA fine for trench collapse death, part of disturbing trend
A worker who was killed while helping to install a sewer line had escaped trench collapses twice within a month of his death.
1 killed, 1 injured in trench collapse; $160K OSHA fine
A contracting company faces $159,600 in OSHA fines following the death of one employee and the hospitalization of another.
12 common mistakes in slip, trip and fall prevention
Slips, trips and falls are routinely one of the top causes of injuries in workplaces. They also subtract from a company’s bottom line due to medical and workers’ comp insurance, lost productivity and retraining costs.
12 ways to reform OSHA
The current regulatory approach toward safety and health in the workplace needs improvement, according to the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE).
15-year-old drowns clearing brush along river; employer pays $58K fine
A mowing contractor has agreed to pay $58,383 in fines for violating child labor laws in connection to the death of a 15-year-old.
17-year-old killed in forklift accident
OSHA is investigating an incident in Omaha, NE, in which a 17-year-old boy died after a forklift he was operating fell on top of him.
18-year-old killed on job just months after graduating high school; $105K fine
“This young man was fresh out of high school with a lifetime ahead of him,” said Mark Hysell, OSHA’s area director in Eau Claire, WI. This tragedy means a six-figure fine and placement in an OSHA special-focus program for the company that employed the teen.
2 dead, 17 injured in building collapse and fire
A fatal building collapse and fire in Omaha, NE, poses a safety question: What would your workers do during an emergency if the lights went out, sending them into pitch darkness? Would they be able to escape?
2 Hershey contractors fined $288K by OSHA
Two companies involved in packaging Hershey’s chocolates face $288,000 in OSHA fines in connection with violations regarding foreign exchange students. On top of the OSHA violations, an organization representing guest workers calls the situation one that “kills decent U.S. jobs.”
3 construction workers hospitalized after they’re overcome by heat
This summer’s heat continues to take a toll on workers across the country. In this case, four workers at one work-site needed treatment for heat exposure.
3 current OSHA enforcement areas and what they have in common
The head of OSHA’s Directorate of Enforcement Programs recently laid out three areas which the agency is currently focusing on. At first glance, they may not seem to have much in common, but they share one detail regarding OSHA enforcement.
4 new/revised OSHA regs in first 4 months of 2016?
Time is running out for OSHA under the Obama administration to complete some of its regulatory priorities. If OSHA stays on track, some new and revised regs could debut early in 2016.
5 OSHA proposals that business groups fear most
The U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform has issued a report on regulatory impediments to job creation. The report lists five OSHA proposals that business groups say would inhibit job growth.
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