The company allegedly did not monitor to determine asbestos exposure levels, use wet methods to clean up debris, or provide HEPA vacuum cleaners to collect debris and dust, among other serious violations.
The president’s executive order, published in Tuesday's Federal Register, defines "texting" as "reading from or entering data into any handheld or other electronic device, including for the purpose of SMS texting, e-mailing, instant messaging, obtaining navigational information, or engaging in any other form of electronic data retrieval or electronic data communication."
The consent decree, approved on Sept. 29 by Federal District Judge Wayne Andersen, represents the largest ADA settlement in a single lawsuit in EEOC history.
The U.S. General Services Administration is holding the 2009 Interagency Disability Educational Awareness Showcase (IDEAS) today through Oct. 6, at the Marvin Center at The George Washington University, 800 21st Street, NW, Washington, D.C., 20052. This free conference is seeking to educate agencies and industry about Section 508 policy, which requires that federal agencies' electronic and information technology be accessible to people with disabilities.
OSHA has proposed $147,000 in fines against Sunoco Inc. (R&M), an oil refinery in Oregon, Ohio, for alleged willful and serious violations of federal workplace safety standards.
Sept. 30's revised compliance directive for the Steel Erection Standard says it is no longer a de minimis violation if steel erection workers are wearing PPE but the requirements for a fully planked or decked floor or use of a net aren't met.
U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis has announced $6.4 million in grant awards to implement projects promoting adherence to international core labor standards and support the rights of workers. Another $131,130 in contracts has been awarded to study topics related to international labor standards.
The Department of Labor has recovered more than $1.5 million in back wages for 272 employees of SI International SEIT Inc., a contractor for the Department of Homeland Security's U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Vermont Service Center, at various locations in St. Albans and Essex Junction, Vt.
OSHA has cited Seward Ship's Drydock Inc. for alleged willful, serious and repeat violations of safety and health standards at its ship repair facility in Seward, Alaska. The company faces a total of $87,300 in proposed fines.
Underground construction contractor A-1 Excavating Inc., headquartered in Bloomer, has agreed to pay $474,000 in penalties as part of a settlement agreement with OSHA addressing hazards cited during three inspections. The company also will take comprehensive steps to upgrade worker safety and health at its worksites.
The Department of Labor has obtained a consent judgment requiring NFL player Michael D. Vick and his company, MV7 LLC, to repay at least $416,461.10 in restitution to a pension plan sponsored by the company and ordering Vick to forfeit any rights to benefits from the plan (Solis v. Vick, Civil Action Number 4:09CV37). The defendants also agreed to pay a civil monetary penalty imposed by the Labor Department.
President Obama signed an executive order Wednesday night telling federal employees not to text while operating a government vehicle or a private vehicle on government business and asking federal contractors to do likewise.
OSHA's inspection found 24 alleged serious violations of the OSH Act, the majority of which stemmed from overall deficiencies in the company's process safety management program.
The St. Peters, Mo.-based facility became the latest VPP star site, OSHA's highest recognition for meeting or exceeding workplace safety and health standards.
Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis recently announced nearly $59 million in grants awarded by the Department of Labor in fiscal year 2009 to combat exploitive child labor in 19 countries.
The Globally Harmonized System was developed to provide a single, consistent system to classify chemicals, labels, and safety data sheets for workers, employers, and chemical users. Under GHS, labels would include signal words, hazard and precautionary statements, and pictograms such as the one shown, used for carcinogens, respiratory sensitizers, and germ cell mutagens.
"You might not think of a carwash as a particularly dangerous workplace, but hazards can be present in any workplace if the proper safeguards are not provided and maintained," said Robert Kowalski, OSHA's area director in Bridgeport, Conn.
The serious violations include unguarded machinery, inadequate training, failure to develop energy control (lockout/tagout) and hazard communication programs, obstructed emergency stop buttons, a lack of hand rails on industrial stairs, and failure to prohibit workers from riding on a conveyor.
The $25 records request using a searchable database will help law enforcement and others find the owners or lienholders of junkers left on their property.
OSHA, the University of the Sacred Heart, and the Puerto Rico OSHA also vowed to work together on specific issues and projects regarding construction and general industry safety and health that are developed and addressed through the alliance.