"These citations address a variety of hazards which, left uncorrected, expose employees to potential falls, fire, crushing injuries, lacerations, amputations, being caught in the unexpected startup of machinery or not being able to exit the workplace swiftly in the event of an emergency," said Christopher Adams, OSHA's area director in Syracuse, N.Y.
Developed by the National Fire Data Center, the U.S. Fire Administration has issued a report titled Residential Structure and Building Fires that examines the causes and characteristics of fires occurring in residential structures and buildings.
The agency detailed 12 inspectors to conduct 96 safety inspections at 46 construction sites throughout the city from June 23 to July 3. Citations were issued to 60 contractors for 129 violations with a total of $247,400 in proposed fines during the period.
The U.S. Department of Labor yesterday recognized eight winners of the 7th annual New Freedom Initiative Award for their outstanding efforts to improve employment opportunities for people with disabilities.
"The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that there are more than 21.2 million people who have mobility impairments and by understanding their special evacuation needs, safety can be improved in the workplace and home," said Paul Tobin, president of The United Spinal Association.
"Today we recognize the joint commitment of more than 400 employees and management here in Norwalk who continually and effectively go beyond the status quo in providing and maintaining a safe and healthful workplace," said Marthe Kent, OSHA's regional administrator for New England, at the VPP flag-raising ceremony on Monday at the manufacturing plant in Norwalk.
The company was cited for failing to document and implement provisions of OSHA's PSM standard concerning equipment deficiencies, operator training, and safe working practices, among other things, following an explosion in April resulting from the release of flammable liquid and vapor from an open piping system during preparation for maintenance.
In separate ceremonies, the facilities were presented with a VPP star flag in recognition of their excellent workplace safety and health records, maintaining an injury and illness rate below their industries' average for three years.
G&K Services failed to control air emissions and properly manage hazardous waste materials
The United States Fire Administration (USFA) has released a new technical report titled "Chemical Fire in Apex, North Carolina." This report examines the response of the Apex Fire Department, the value of pre-planning efforts, and the impact of a well coordinated response in the worst of conditions.
The company also faces 24 serious citations for missing or inadequate guarding of mechanical power presses and press brakes, uninspected power presses, and lack of a hearing conservation program, among other alleged violations. Total proposed fines exceed $70,000.
A public meeting focusing on the draft document's thoroughness and scientific and technical soundness is slated for Jan. 22, 2009 in Cincinnati. Written comments are being accepted from Oct. 15, 2008, through Jan. 31, 2009.
In addition to limiting the radioactive waste dose limit to 15 millirem per year for the first 10,000 years after disposal, the final standard will require the Department of Energy to consider the effects of climate change, earthquakes, volcanoes, and corrosion of the waste packages to safely contain the waste during a 1 million-year period.
OSHA has cited Pepsi-Cola and National Brand Beverage Ltd. of Pennsauken with $195,000 in proposed penalties for alleged workplace safety and health violations.
Issued under the authority of the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act of 1959 (LMRDA), the final rule further implements the LMRDA goal of securing the right of labor union members to have meaningful information about union finances and expenditures.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced Thursday that it has reached an agreement with Merit Energy Co. LLC and Shell Exploration & Production Co. that resolves federal allegations that the companies continued to operate a facility in Michigan after Shell had made improper modifications to the plant.
The Sturgis Converting & Distribution Center, considered a high-hazard site, achieved a 0.0 total case incidence rate in 2005 and 2007, the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration said.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently announced the awarding of 17 one-year grants totaling $5.2 million to various state and local regulatory agencies to enhance food and feed safety.
"We have worked hard to provide high-quality, affordable health care to our associates and I think this additional focus on wellness steps us up to a new level," said Walmart U.S. President & CEO Eduardo Castro-Wright.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently announced the selection of ten contractors to receive up to a total of $2.5 billion for information technology (IT) and data center management services over the next ten years.