"There is no way to understate the danger of fall hazards, which are the number one killer in construction work," said Diana Cortez, OSHA's area director in Tarrytown, N.Y.
The Americas segment's sales for the third quarter of 2008 fell by 8.2 percent from the same period a year ago, the company reported today. It said the slowdown was expected, and sales are up 4.2 percent for the first nine months of this year when currency effects are excluded.
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.
"What's particularly disturbing is that this employer--who has been cited for fall protection violations in the past--allowed these hazards to continue even in the midst of an ongoing OSHA inspection," said Robert Kowalski, OSHA's area director in Bridgeport, Conn.
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.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Mary E. Peters yesterday proposed a new rule that she said will improve motorcycle safety by making it easier for riders to identify and use effective helmets, instead of unsafe, "novelty" helmets.
The standard is intended to serve as a guide for window cleaners, regulatory agencies, manufacturers, architects, consultants, designers, and building owners.
ASSE has launched its 7th annual kids' "Safety-on-the-Job" poster contest, which is open to ASSE members' children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews, and will have a Valentine's Day, Feb. 14, 2009, deadline.
The popular free sessions from Howard Leight are set for Houston, Baton Rouge, and Mobile next month.
NIOSH's former director is one of three experts, along with Newsweek correspondent Howard Fineman, speaking at the Nov. 10-11 event in Arlington, Va.
The organization recommends notifying employees and visitors of denied or restricted areas, and notifying supervisors and responders of contact lens wearers working in eye-hazardous areas.
The funds, awarded to the Texas Workforce Commission, will be used to provide temporary employment on projects for the cleanup, demolition, repair, renovation and reconstruction of destroyed public structures, facilities and lands within the affected communities.
"By appointing Ellen now as president, she will define DuPont's detailed 2009 execution plans that will make a solid advance toward achieving our 2010 accelerated growth goals," said current Chairman and CEO Chad Holliday.
"This funding will help the New York metropolitan area to acquire equipment, training, and support to further our mission of preventing dangerous radiological and nuclear materials from entering a high-risk urban area."
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.
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.
"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.
With new hazards emerging weekly, ensuring safer, more secure environments is more challenging than ever before. The importance of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is constantly being brought to the forefront by natural disasters, such as wildfires, flooding in America’s heartland, tornados, and hurricanes; as well as health concerns about pathogenic microorganisms, such as MRSA and H5N1 virus (avian flu).
Courses include a Demolition-Specific OSHA 10-Hour Certification, offered in both English and Spanish on Oct. 15 and training in confined space rescue and aerial lift equipment safety.
They warn it could add at least $10,000 to the cost of a house. A review panel examining the comments will revise the draft, the Australian Safety and Compensation Council's chair said.