Enforcement


Buttermilk Plant Settles Pollution Allegations in Nebraska

The dairy facility and its former owner are the last two of five defendants to settle claims made in a 2008 civil lawsuit accusing the company of violating the Clean Water Act and befouling the Elkhorn River.

FAA Proposes $2.9M Civil Penalty Against American Eagle Airlines

FAA inspectors found that the airline operated at least 961 flights while it was unaware that improper repairs were performed on landing gear doors. FAA further alleges that after the situation was discovered, the airline continued to operate these airplanes on 217 additional flights.

Two Fatal Falls, One from 40 Feet, the Other from 225 Feet, Lead to $609K in Fines

The two deadly incidents, which befell separate worksites, were among five that occurred during a 15-day span in the Pittsburgh area last summer.

'OSHA Listens' Meeting Moved to March 4

Postponed by snow last week, the all-day event at Department of Labor headquarters in Washington, D.C., is already filled.

Defective Bullet-Proof Vests Cost Canadian Firm, U.S. Subsidiary $4 Million

The United States alleged that the Zylon fabric in the vests lost its ballistic capability quickly, especially when exposed to heat and humidity, and that the company was aware of the fabric's defective nature some three and a half years before it stopped selling it for use in ballistic armor.

Lionel Harris Oil Fined for Violating Clean Water Act

Personnel working at the site had no training on the operation and maintenance of equipment to prevent discharges, no training on discharge procedure protocols, no training on applicable pollution control laws, rules and regulations, and spill prevention briefings were not scheduled and conducted periodically.

Illinois Railroads Ordered to Pay Employee Fired for Reporting Work Injury

After conducting an investigation under the whistleblower provisions of the Federal Rail Safety Act, OSHA ordered the railroads to pay the employee a total of $80,453 that includes $57,587 in back wages and interest, $10,000 in compensatory damages, and $12,866 in attorney's fees.

Contempt Orders Issued Against Masonry Firm for Ignoring OSHA Citations

Among the imposed sanctions, the company, its owner, and former owner must pay outstanding monetary penalties, which continue to accrue interest, and other miscellaneous fees, in the current amount of $258,582.08; and the current owner must pay a $100 daily penalty, calculated from the time of default, in early 2008, on the ignored OSHRC final order.



North Idaho Developers Fined Nearly $45K for Storm Water Violations

EPA noted this is the seventh year in a multi-year initiative to improve compliance with the construction general permit. The permit authorizes storm water discharges from construction sites, and it requires operators of those sites to design, install, and maintain storm water controls to protect surface waters from common construction site pollutants like sediment, oil and grease, and concrete washout.

Asphalt Company Pays for Connecticut River Oil Spill

The spill occurred when piping connecting a 13,000 gallon oil tank to a boiler failed and released 8,000 gallons of oil into the facility's secondary containment area.

Court Approves $6.2M Distribution to 235 Former Sears Employees

The case, EEOC v. Sears Roebuck & Co., resulted in the largest ADA settlement in a single lawsuit in EEOC history.

FAA Training

FAA Seeks Public Comment on Pilot Training Requirements

FAA’s Call to Action aims to strengthen pilot hiring, training and performance, as well as combat fatigue and improve professional standards and discipline at all airlines. FAA is pursuing both rule changes and voluntary safety enhancements.

EPA Issues Cease and Desist Orders to Three Energy Companies

All three companies were found responsible for the unauthorized discharge of oil field brine into the tributaries of various creeks in Oklahoma and Texas generated by their production activities.

Blizzard Postpones 'OSHA Listens' Meeting

OSHA announced this morning that the blizzard and forecast of more snow for Washington, D.C., has caused the big meeting to be postponed.

Image of a CT scan

FDA Initiative Seeks to Reduce Unnecessary Radiation Exposure

The Food and Drug Administration recently announced an initiative to reduce unnecessary radiation exposure from three types of medical imaging procedures: computed tomography (CT), nuclear medicine studies, and fluoroscopy. These procedures are the greatest contributors to total radiation exposure within the U.S. population and use much higher radiation doses than other radiographic procedures, such as standard X-rays, dental X-rays, and mammography.

Worker's Electrocution Leads to $112,000 Fine for Houston Contractor

The company was cited for two alleged willful violations for failing to adequately protect employees from energized electrical circuits and failing to inform employees about the hazards involved with energized electrical circuits.

Inspection at Alabama Plant Finds Amputation Hazards, Bloody Machinery

"Company management was aware of the requirements to establish a lockout program and did not take action," said Kurt Petermeyer, director of OSHA's Mobile (Ala.) Area Office.

An enhanced compliance review is part of CSA 2010, a new FMCSA measurement program intended to improve the safety performance of motor carriers and drivers.

Motor Carriers, FMCSA Counting Down to CSA 2010

With full implementation of the new safety performance measurement initiative set for July, the agency has rolled out extensive online resources to help the industry prepare.

Joseph A. Main is assistant U.S. secretary of labor for mine safety and health.

Mining Association Backs New MSHA Enforcement Program

Assistant Secretary Joseph A. Main said the "Rules to Live By" program "should make great strides in preventing fatal accidents."

CSB Votes to Approve Urgent Gas Code

On a 2-1 vote, the U.S. Chemical Safety Board approved urgent safety recommendations on gas purging safety at a Feb. 4 public meeting in Raleigh, following extensive testimony and public comment.

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