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What Happened to OSHA Underground?

A good blog frequented by OSHA insiders is down, and OSHA Aboveground speculates that a subpoena involving a Walmart case before OSHRC is involved.

OSHA Cites Brooklyn Contractor for Electrocution Fall Hazards

OSHA has proposed $50,600 in fines against Metro Steel Fabricators Inc., a Brooklyn steel erection contractor, for alleged willful and serious violations of safety standards at a Tuckahoe, N.Y., jobsite.

Assistant Secretary David Michaels, Ph.D., MPH, who is the leader of OSHA, is shown in a GWU photo

HELP to Act Nov. 18 on Michaels Nomination

If the committee approves him, the OSHA nominee would then have only to await action by the full U.S. Senate. Also, President Obama has nominated a third OSHRC commissioner.

FDA Warns Against Marketing Illegal Flavored Cigarettes

The Food and Drug Administration is enforcing the flavored cigarette ban provision of the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act (Tobacco Control Act) by issuing several warning letters to companies continuing to sell illegal flavored cigarettes to consumers in the United States through their Web sites.

Doctor Sentenced for Tax Evasion, Writing Prescriptions over Internet

A Virginia doctor was sentenced recently in federal court on charges that he wrote prescriptions over the Internet for people whom he had never met or examined, as well as tax evasion.

EPA Releases Data on Compliance with Hazwaste, Air Regulations

The reports include online graphs, trend information on enforcement and compliance in each state, and comparative reports. Data such as compliance monitoring activity, violations discovered, enforcement actions taken, and penalties assessed are available.

Seafood Processor Cited for Worker's Death in Ice Machine

OSHA has cited Northern Wind Inc., a New Bedford, Mass., seafood processor, for 23 alleged violations after a worker died May 4 when he became caught in the moving parts of a large industrial ice-making machine that activated while he performed maintenance work inside it.

OSHA Adds $64,000 in Fines against Veolia ES Technical Solutions

OSHA has concluded the second of two investigations into a May 3 explosion at Veolia ES Technical Solutions in West Carrollton and has issued an additional $64,000 in fines against the chemical processing company, bringing the total fines to $109,000.



Tyson Foods Found in Violation of Fair Labor Standards Act

Poultry producer Tyson Foods Inc. has been found in violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) at its Blountsville, Ala., facility. The jury's verdict in federal court in Birmingham resulted from a lawsuit filed by the Department of Labor against the company.

Employers Jailed for Failure to Pay Back Wages to Cleaning Service Workers

The owners of a Southland residential cleaning service were taken into custody and later released after failing to comply with a court order directing payment of $3.5 million in back wages, plus interest, fines, and liquidated damages to at least 385 workers.

Fall Protection Definitions & Nomenclature Standard Gets an Update

Approved by ANSI on Oct. 27, the revised Z359.0-2009 is now available to download at no cost on ASSE's Web site.

EPA Seeks Input on Pesticide Labeling, Children's Exposure to Spray Drift

"The new labels will carry more uniform and specific directions on restricting spray drift while giving pesticide applicators clear and workable instructions," said Steve Owens, assistant administrator for EPA's Office of Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic Substances.

Fall Hazards at Massachusetts Sites Net $308,500 in OSHA Fines

New Place Carpentry, a New Haven, Conn., contractor with a long history of fall protection violations, faces a total of $308,500 in new fines from the OSHA for willful and repeat fall hazards following the agency's inspections at worksites in Plymouth and Methuen, Mass.

MSHAs logo for their 2009 Winter Alert campaign

MSHA Kicks Off Annual 'Winter Alert' Campaign

Mine operators are urged to follow safety checklists as low barometric pressures and low humidity, coupled with seasonal drying of many areas in underground coal mines, have contributed to the larger number of mine explosions during winter months.

Blue FDA logo.

Safe Use Initiative Targets Preventable Harm from Medication Use

The Food and Drug Administration initiative is aimed at reducing the likelihood of preventable harm from medication use. Additionally, a separate guidance seeks to curb accidental overdoses caused by dosage delivery devices that have unclear dosing instructions.

OSHA Levies More than $100,000 in Penalties against Columbus Steel Castings

OSHA has cited Columbus Steel Castings Co. in Columbus with proposed penalties totaling $102,000 for alleged serious and repeat violations of federal workplace safety and health standards.

three male bodyguards

En Garde

The popular image of a bodyguard is someone 3-feet thick wearing a black suit and tie, impenetrable sunglasses, and whispering into a wrist phone. Thanks to Hollywood, many of us immediately picture Kevin Costner carrying Whitney Houston through an unruly crowd of fans, but nothing could be further from the truth.

FDA: Procter & Gamble Unlawfully Marketing Two Vicks Medicines

The Food and Drug Administration has sent a warning letter to Procter & Gamble notifying the company that its Vicks DayQuil Plus Vitamin C and Vicks Nyquil Plus Vitamin C are illegally marketed combinations of drug ingredients and a dietary ingredient.

Dr. David Michaels, Ph.D., MPH, assistant secretary of Labor for occupational safety and health

HELP Committee Decides to Bypass Full Hearing for Potential OSHA Chief

The Senate panel overseeing Dr. David Michaels' nomination has instead chosen to go with a mostly written question-and-answer format, with an option for individual members to meet with the nominee if they choose.

OSHA Fines Nazareth, Pa. Company for Continued Violations

OSHA has cited VersaCold for alleged workplace safety and health violations at its former Nazareth facility, proposing $51,000 in penalties.

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