Enforcement


California's Home Sharps Law Starts Today

The state's residents generate an estimated 400 million used sharps each year, many of which are improperly--and as of today illegally--disposed of as household trash.

Engineer Convicted for Concealing Information from NRC

Andrew Siemaszko, a former reactor coolant system engineer at FirstEnergy Nuclear Operating Company (FENOC), was convicted on Aug. 26 by a federal jury in Toledo, Ohio, for concealing information from and making false statements to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), the Justice Department announced.

EEOC Q&A Guide Promotes Federal Hiring of Workers with Disabilities

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) recently issued a new question-and-answer guide aimed at promoting the hiring and advancement of individuals with disabilities in federal government employment.

FAA Investigates Port Authority's Proposed Auctioned Slot Flight Ban

The Federal Aviation Administration on Aug. 26 initiated an administrative proceeding, known as a notice of investigation, to determine whether the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey will violate federal regulations if it follows through with its proposal to bar airlines from using takeoff and landing slots at JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark Liberty International Airports if the slots are acquired by auction.

DUI Fatalities Down in 32 States, Advertising Blitz Underway

Despite the decrease, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Mary Peters says the department is investing $13 million in advertising efforts during this holiday weekend.

DOL Settlement Provides $5 Million in Restitution for Pa. Health Plan

The U.S. Department of Labor has obtained a consent judgment in which the Pennsylvania Builders Association (PBA), its wholly-owned subsidiary and its trustees agree to restore $5 million to the fund and pay a civil penalty of $500,000.

ACS: OSHA Limitations Undermine Worker Safety

The society's new report, "Prosecuting Worker Endangerment," says OSHA violators should face stronger criminal penalties.

Demand Letters Net $225,000 in Overdue MSHA Fines

Richard E. Stickler, acting assistant secretary of labor for mine safety and health, recently announced that three mine operators that were sent demand letters in May have since paid their delinquent debt.



Unused Trench Box Leads to 'Willful' Charge, $44,000 Propose Penalty

"There is no excuse for endangering employees and ignoring OSHA standards by having the proper safety equipment at the worksite but not using it," said Clyde Payne, OSHA's acting area director in Mobile, Ala.

ACCSH to Consider GHS Proposal for Classifying, Labeling Chemicals

The committee's two-day meeting in Washington, D.C., also will include a construction standards update from OSHA's directorate of construction.

BC Safety Authority Reports 19 Percent Incident Decrease for 2007

Safety Authority president and CEO Harry Diemer said the numbers show that industry in the province is taking public safety seriously, but he added there is always room for improvement.

EEOC: Workforce Complaints Down, Investigation Times Improved

In FY 2007, federal employees and applicants filed 16,363 complaints alleging employment discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, disability, or reprisal--down from 16,723 complaints in FY 2006 and 18,000 complaints in FY 2005.

BLS Data Shows Lowest Fatality Rate in OSHA History

"This is continued evidence that the initiatives and programs to protect workers' safety and health . . . are indeed working," said Labor Secretary Elaine L. Chao.

New Jersey PVC Manufacturer Agrees to Reduce Emissions, Pay $1.3 Million

"Given what we know about the dangers of these emissions, this settlement did not come a moment too soon for the people who live and work near this facility," said Lisa P. Jackson, commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.

OSHA Metal Industry Focus Leads to $114,000 in Fines for Ohio Foundry

The site was charged with one willful LOTO violation and 39 serious violations, including 23 safety and 16 health regulation issues.

California Issues Administrative Penalties to 18 Hospitals

Eighteen California hospitals have been assessed administrative penalties of $25,000 per incident from the state after a determination that the facilities' noncompliance with requirements of licensure has caused, or was likely to cause, serious injury or death to patients.

Releases, Injuries Prompt Review of Britain's Offshore Industry

The Health and Safety Executive warns that “basic safety systems are not being followed,” and minor problems can lead to major catastrophes.

OSHA Clarifying Per-Employee Duty in Standards

Today's proposed rule responds to OSHRC decisions and makes explicit employers' duty to train and provide respiratory protection in particular to each employee.

N.C. Law to Prevent Agriculture Pesticide Exposure

North Carolina Gov. Mike Easley on Aug. 13 signed into law Senate Bill 847, which protects agricultural workers and directs the Pesticide Board to adopt rules requiring a record of the specific time when pesticide applications are completed.

North Carolina Passes Pesticide Exposure Bill by a Landslide

"Requiring employers to keep more detailed records of pesticides being used and forbidding retaliation against those who might complain about exposure to these chemicals are important steps toward safety in agricultural workplaces," said Gov. Mike Easley, after signing the bill into law.

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