Enforcement


Predecessor Company's Violations Count, OSHRC Holds

In a Nov. 18 decision that was a case of first impression, the commission held that a company's change in legal status does not prevent a repeat violation from being upheld against the successor company.

DOJ Announces ADA Settlement with Movie Theater Chain

According to the department, the agreement will improve the movie-going experience for people who use wheelchairs and their companions at AMC stadium-style theaters nationwide.

MSHA Launches Second 'Rules to Live By' Enforcement Initiative

MSHA has launched the second phase of an outreach and enforcement program designed to strengthen efforts to prevent mining fatalities. "Rules to Live By II: Preventing Catastrophic Accidents" was developed from data gathered by reviewing accidents that resulted in five or more fatalities, as well as from incidents caused by fires or explosions that had the potential to result in more fatalities.

Many states across the country shut the majority of their state agencies on Nov. 26 for budgetary reasons.

Last 2010 Furlough Day Over for Many

Last Friday, Nov. 26, was an another unpaid furlough day for state workers across the country. For many, it was the last furlough day of the year, but more are coming in 2011.

CPSC Data Shows Toy Recalls Declining, Toy Injuries Increasing

To help keep what has been called the most wonderful time of the year happy and incident-free, CPSC is encouraging consumers to adopt a three-pronged safety approach.

Metals Finishing Firm Fined $300K for Hexavalent Chromium Exposure, More

"The employer had ample information alerting him to the hazards posed by hexavalent chromium, yet allowed his employees to continue to be exposed," said Bill Fulcher, director of OSHA's Atlanta-East Area Office.

Stucco Contractor Plastered with Fines for Repeat Fall Hazards

The company received citations for failing to maintain a safety program, fully plank scaffold platforms, provide a ladder for safe scaffold access, remove and replace damaged scaffold components, and properly brace scaffolds with cross braces.

Lesley Haines is acting deputy secretary - workplace for the New Zealand Department of Labour.

Mine Investigation Largest Case Yet for New Zealand DOL

Eight staffers from the agency are involved. The Health and Safesty in Employment Act 1992 gives the department up to six months to investigate and file charges, if any. A third explosion inside the mine occurred Friday.



Ohio Manufacturer Fined for Hazardous Energy Procedures, Training Violations

"Failing to implement procedures to prevent injury from unexpected energization or startup of machinery and equipment is a leading cause of workplace injury," said OSHA Area Director Rob Medlock in Cleveland.

Fall Injury Brings $51,200 in Fines

Two companies, a subcontractor and the general contractor on a New Hampshire job site, were fined after a worker tripped and fell 14 feet during the dismantling of a stairway.

Michaels Offers Reassurance on VPP, State Plans

In a speech last week, the OSHA administrator said none of the problems identified in audits of state plans "is catastrophic or threatens continued plan approval," except in one or two cases where the budgetary commitment to the program is in jeopardy.

DFW International Airport, shown here, on Nov. 18 reported it expects about 1.7 million passengers to pass through during the 11-day Thanksgiving travel period (Nov. 19 through Nov. 29), 5 percent more than last year.

FAA Works to Ease Delays for Thanksgiving Holiday Travel

Under the agreement, the Department of Defense will release airspace off the East Coast above 24,000 feet. The added capacity is expected to ease delays during one of the busiest travel periods of the year, saving time and money for passengers and airlines while reducing fuel burn.

"Deficient" is changing to "alert" when a score in one or more BASIC categories is above the FMCSA threshold for intervention.

Slight CSA 2010 Changes Coming Next Month

For example, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is changing "deficient" to "alert" when a motor carrier's score in one or more BASIC categories is above the agency's threshold for intervention.

Caffeinated Alcoholic Drinks are Unsafe: FDA

Experts have raised concerns that caffeine can mask some of the sensory cues individuals might normally rely on to determine their level of intoxication.

W.Va. Postal Facility Fined $287,000 for Electrical Hazards

"These citations and sizable fines reflect the Postal Service's failure to ensure that the proper safety practices were being used by employees working with live electrical parts, leaving them vulnerable to multiple hazards," said Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA Dr. David Michaels.

DOL Announces Enforcement Plan to Protect Workers' Retirement, Health Benefits

The enforcement cases represent civil cases filed in federal district courts across the country to protect the contributions made by employees and matching contributions promised by their employers.

Owner, Company Convicted in Rochester Asbestos Case

The Justice Department announced Monday that a federal court jury convicted Keith Gordon-Smith and his asbestos abatement company, Gordon-Smith Contracting Inc., of violating CAA asbestos work practice standards and lying to hide the violations.

Two Texas Companies Cited for Exposing Workers to Lead

OSHA began its inspection on May 12 at the company's worksite in Dallas after receiving a complaint alleging workers were being exposed to lead while cutting lead cable that was to be recycled.

FAA Finalizes Rule to Prevent Fatigue on Aging Aircraft

The new rule seeks to prevent “widespread fatigue damage” (WFD) by requiring aircraft manufacturers and certification applicants to establish a number of flight cycles or hours a plane can operate and be free from WFD without additional inspections for fatigue.

FDA Working to Prevent Radiation Overdoses During CT Scans

The Food and Drug Administration has been investigating reports that patients undergoing computed tomography (CT) brain perfusion scans were accidently exposed to excess radiation. FDA found that when properly used, the CT scanners did not malfunction. Instead, it is likely that the improper use of the scanners resulted in these overdoses.

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