Enforcement


Alabama Wool Plant Fined $182,500 for Repeat LOTO, Other Violations

"After agreeing to correct problems found during our previous inspection, management's admitted failure to make those changes seriously jeopardizes the safety and health of the people working in their plant," said Roberto Sanchez, OSHA's area director in Birmingham.

Liquid Propellant Plant Fined $424,000 for Process Management Deficiencies

Charges of six willful and 10 serious citations follow a March 2008 explosion that caused serious injuries to two employees at the facility in Spooner, Wis.

FDA Expands Enforcement Efforts Amid Latest Melamine Scare

FDA is advising consumers not to purchase infant formula manufactured in China from Internet sites or from other sources and said it will continue to check retail stores for food items imported from China that could contain a significant amount of milk or milk proteins.

Foulke Renews MACOSH Charter

Although it functions solely as an advisory body, the committee assists OSHA on matters relevant to the safety and health of employees in the maritime industry, including shipbuilding, ship-repair, shipbreaking, longshoring, and marine-terminal industries.

Central Ohio Builders Partner with OSHA, Agree to Share Best Practices

"If we can provide these employers and their employees with the knowledge and ability to anticipate, identify, and eliminate work-related hazards, we will get that much closer to eliminating job-related injuries," said Deborah Zubaty, OSHA's area director in Columbus.

Officially, Work from Home Could Count as 'Days Away'

According to OSHA, it all matters whether the employee's normal work schedule includes one or more work-from-home days.

OSHA, ConnOSHA Forge Alliances with Electrical, HVAC Groups

Specifically, the agencies signed partnerships with the Rocky Hill, Conn.-based Independent Electrical Contractors of New England Inc. (IECNE) and the Wethersfield-based Connecticut Office of Apprenticeship and Training (CTOAT).

Fall Hazards, Lack of PPE Lead to $108,000 in Fines for Truck Parts Distributor

The proposed total penalty includes $92,500 in fines for five repeat citations involving unguarded elevated work areas, untrained forklift operators, storing a forklift in front of a marked exit, exposed wiring in a heater and an electrical junction box, and not providing hazard communication training to new employees.



OSHA Sets Oct. 6 Hearing on Per-Employee Citation Rule

Contractors say the proposal, which OSHA issued to clarify that certain respiratory and training standards apply on a per-employee basis, is a threat. And the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's comments predict a court will strike it down.

NHTSA Says Seat Belt Use Hit Record Level In 2008

More Americans are buckling up than ever before, with 83 percent of vehicle occupants using seatbelts during daylight hours, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Mary E. Peters announced recently. In 2007, 82 percent used seat belts.

OSHA Appoints New Regional Administrator for New York

Licensed by the state of New Jersey as a health inspector, Robert D. Kulick joined OSHA in 1977 and worked for six years as an industrial hygiene field compliance officer before advancing to other agency positions.

Arizona City to Pay $240,000 for Asbestos Violations

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced Wednesday that an Arizona city will pay $240,000 to resolve a 2007 complaint against it for allegedly violating the asbestos provisions of the Clean Air Act.

FMCSA Explains Use of Crash Preventability in Hazmat Safety Ratings

If a motor carrier contests the denial of a safety permit, claiming crashes that caused its rate to be in the top 30 percent of the national average weren't preventable, the agency will consider it.

Darby Mine owners will pay more than $340,000 for fatal explosion

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration announced Thursday that the operator of the Darby Mine #1 in Harlan County, Ky., withdrew its challenge to citations issued following the May 2006 explosion that claimed five miners’ lives.

3 Contractors Connected with Fatal NY Crane Collapse Fined $313,500

"This case illustrates in stark terms that failure to follow required procedures can have wide-ranging and catastrophic consequences," said OSHA chief Edwin G. Foulke Jr.

Oregon OSHA Increases Tower Crane Inspections

The agency said it will evaluate the program's effectiveness and findings in July 2009.

Combustible Liquid Hazards Among Repeat Citations for Truck Service Garage

Over the past 10 years, the company, which operates 1,632 sites across the nation with approximately 11,900 employees, has been inspected 37 times by OSHA and cited for similar violations.

Peters Announces New Steps to Improve FAA’s Aviation Safety Program

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Mary E. Peters has directed the Federal Aviation Administration to implement 13 new safety recommendations from an independent review team tasked with reviewing the current U.S. aviation safety system.

$342,000 Penalty in Darby Mine Case to Be Paid in Full

The operator of Darby Mine #1 in Harlan County, Ky., agreed to drop its challenge to the MSHA citations and must pay the fines by Oct. 19.

DOL Settles Encore Management Co. Whistleblower Suit

The U.S. Department of Labor has entered into a settlement with Encore Management Co. in Arlington to resolve findings by OSHA that the company illegally terminated an employee because she complained about safety and health issues.

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