Enforcement


Firm Fined $214,550 for Excessive Noise Levels, Lead Exposure

OSHA initiated an inspection of the facility in August 2010 in response to a complaint and alleges three willful, 18 serious, and two other-than-serious violations of health and safety standards.

Electrical, Repeat Hazards Lead to Mass. Hospital's $63,000 Fine

OSHA found that some hospital employees were exposed to potential electric shock, burns, arc flash incidents, and electrocution while changing circuit breakers on live electrical panels.

Dorel Recalling Nearly 800,000 Child Safety Seats for Safety Harness Issue

A button that is not in the locked position can allow the harness adjustment strap to slip back through the adjuster as a child moves around in the seat and results in a loose harness, increasing the risk of being injured a crash.

DOL Sues Kinder Morgan for Failing to Pay Overtime to 4,500 Workers

DOL claims the company failed to pay more than $1 million in overtime compensation to approximately 4,500 current and former workers. "We will vigorously defend our pay practices in court and expect to be vindicated," the company responded.

Employer payment is required for chemical-resistant gloves, aprons, and clothing when it is used to comply with an OSHA standard.

OSHA Updates Enforcement Guidance for PPE

The new document is sure to help employers because it lists and links to the standards that require them to provide PPE and links to a list of relevant OSHA interpretation letters.

Brice Hortefeux, French interior minister

French Government Adding a Thousand Speed Cameras

The January 2011 toll of traffic fatalities, 331, was 21.2 percent above the total in January 2010.

U.S. Labor Secretary Hilda Solis

FY2012 Budget Request: $583 Million for OSHA, $384 Million for MSHA

Ahead of hearings this week by the U.S. House Education & the Workforce Committee, Labor Department leaders explained the details of the administration's request.

USPS Posts $329 Million Loss, Receives $70,000 OSHA Fine

Both were announced Feb. 9. USPS is trying to cut $2 billion in operating costs this fiscal year by cutting 40 million work hours. Since the end of 2007, total employee headcount is down 15.1 percent.



Combustible Dust Exposure Leads to Georgia Company's $55,250 Fine

Serious citations were issued for violations that included exposing workers to explosion hazards resulting from inadequate dust control, exposing workers to dust without respiratory protection, and failing to clean up thick dust accumulations.

MSHA Settles Discrimination Suit against Puerto Rico Mine Operator

In the settlement, the company agreed to permanently reinstate the worker to his job at the mine and to pay the full $6,000 in back wages, as well as the full $15,000 penalty.

Building Contractor Fined $235,500 for Fall, Scaffold Hazards

OSHA's inspection found NER employees exposed to falls of up to 17 feet due to a lack of fall protection while power washing the side of a building and while dismantling scaffolding.

DOT Converts Hazmat Transportation Permits into Federal Regulations

“This rulemaking is another step in incorporating tested transportation technologies and operations from longstanding special permits into the regulations, promoting safety and streamlining our processes,” said PHMSA Administrator Cynthia Quarterman.

Wisconsin Electrical Company Cited in Worker's Fatal Electrocution

North Central Power Co. Inc. faces fines of $199,800 as a result of the investigation, which meets the requirements of OSHA's Severe Violator Enforcement Program.

$390,000 Settlement in Broken Office Chairs Case

Raynor Marketing, Ltd. has agreed to pay the civil penalty in a settlement with the Consumer Product Safety Commission while denying any violation or that the chairs are contain a hazardous defect.

DOL Settles Whistleblower Suit against Navy Contractor

The employee had complained to company management for being required to climb microwave towers, work in manholes, and enter asbestos-filled buildings without safety training or equipment while working at several San Diego military installations.

CPSC Extends Stay of Enforcement for Lead Content Testing, Certification in Children’s Products

The Consumer Product Safety Commission voted 4-1 on Jan. 31, 2011 to extend the stay of enforcement for testing and certification of lead content in children’s products (except for metal components of children’s metal jewelry) until Dec. 31, 2011.

FMCSA Publishes Electronic On-Board Recorder Rule

Motor carriers required to maintain Records of Duty Status for Hours of Service recordkeeping would have to use EOBRs to monitor their drivers’ compliance.

Illinois Roofing Firm Fined $102,000 for Fall Protection Hazards

The company's willful and repeat safety violations put McEntire's Roofing in OSHA's Severe Violator Enforcement Program.

IIHS Study Shows Red-Light Cameras Save Lives

"The cities that have the courage to use red light cameras despite the political backlash are saving lives," the institute's president, Adrian Lund, said Monday.

BP CEO Bob Dudley

Another Safety Sea Change: BP Selling Texas City Refinery

If Massey Energy was Job #1 for MSHA in the past year, this BP refinery was its equivalent for OSHA since 2005.

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