Enforcement


Dueling Blogs Show OSHA in a New Light

OSHA Underground has been answered by OSHA Aboveground, with the criticism leveled by the former being rebutted by the latter's postings.

Potential 50-Foot Plunge for Worker Leads to $70,000 Penalty for Contractor

OSHA standards require an effective form of fall protection whenever employees work at heights of six feet or greater.

OSHA to Host VPP Meeting in Connecticut

OSHA has is inviting employers from Connecticut and southern New England to attend a free March 12 meeting at Wesleyan University in Middletown to learn about the agency's Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP).

OSHA Interpretation: Not All Firefighters have HAZWOPER Clearance

"Personnel trained to the first responder awareness level may make an effort to identify hazardous substances, but they must do so from a safe distance," wrote Richard E. Fairfax, director of OSHA's Directorate of Enforcement Programs.

FDA Seeks Permanent Injunction against KV Pharmaceutical Company

The Food and Drug Administration announced a Consent Decree of permanent injunction filed March 2, 2009, enjoining KV Pharmaceutical Company, its subsidiaries ETHEX Corporation and Ther-Rx Corporation, and its principal officers from making and distributing adulterated and unapproved drugs.

OSHA Clarifies Training Requirements for Tattooists

An explanation of the use and limitations of methods that will prevent or reduce exposure to bloodborne pathogens and OPIM, including appropriate engineering controls, work practices, and personal protective equipment, should be included in the training.

NIOSH Proposes New Respirator Quality Assurance Requirements

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health has proposed new quality assurance and control requirements for manufacturers of respirators approved by NIOSH or NIOSH and MSHA under 42 CFR Part 84--Approval of Respiratory Protective Devises.

FDA Requires New Boxed Warning for Metoclopramide-Containing Drugs

The Food and Drug Administration recently announced that manufacturers of metoclopramide, a drug used to treat gastrointestinal disorders, must add a boxed warning to their drug labels about the risk of its long-term or high-dose use. Chronic use of metoclopramide has been linked to tardive dyskinesia, which may include involuntary and repetitive movements of the body, even after the drugs are no longer taken.



EEOC Wants to Hear Your Thoughts on GINA

GINA would prohibit the use of genetic information in employment and the intentional acquisition of genetic information about applicants and employees.

Excavation Firm's Citations Piling Up; Latest Nears $700,000

According to OSHA, A-1 Excavating has received 38 citations from the agency since 1982, including at least eight citations for hazards associated with potential cave-ins, and seven citations for having the spoil pile too close to the trench edge.

Sheet Metal Fabricator Faces $273,000 in Fines for Asbestos Hazards

"The sizable fines proposed here reflect the fact that this company knew several of these critical safeguards were necessary yet chose not to provide them," said Arthur Dube, OSHA's area director in Buffalo, N.Y.

Application for Social Security Benefits No Bar to EEOC Suit, Judge Rules

Autozone, one of the nation’s largest retailers of auto parts and accessories, had been sued by EEOC on June 13, 2007 because, the EEOC charged, the company violated the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by refusing to reasonably accommodate the manager, who had back and neck impairments, at its Macomb, Ill., retail outlet.

FDA Takes Regulatory Action against Ranbaxy India Plant

The Food and Drug Administration recently announced that a facility owned by India-based Ranbaxy Laboratories falsified data and test results in approved and pending drug applications. The facility, Paonta Sahib, has been under an FDA Import Alert since September 2008.

Alabama Auto Parts Plant Cited for Lockout/Tagout Failures

In addition, one of the plant's maintenance providers has also been cited, in part for failing to adequately train employees to fight fires, which it contracted to do at the site.

ESFI Reports on Growing Problem of Copper Theft

Copper theft has become a serious public safety issue in recent years as the price of copper in the U.S. has increased.

OSHA Fines St. Louis Chemical Company $1.2 Million

Eight of its workers were treated for exposure to the organic chemical para-nitroaniline (PNA) in powder form. The penalty is based on 21 alleged willful citations, 20 of them cited on a per-employee basis.

Honolulu Mayor Backs Stronger Texting-While-Driving Ban

The city council voted 4-4 Wednesday, sustaining Mayor Mufi Hannemann's veto of a bill that would have banned texting and playing video games while driving. Hannemann wants a more comprehensive bill enacted.

Warehouse Injury Reduction Focus of New Federal Alliance

The partners said they will work together to develop and distribute safety and health training materials for warehousing to enable employers and employees to implement and follow best practice standards and guidelines.

NY Facility Fined $56,000 Following Confined Space Fatality

The company was issued one willful citation, with a proposed penalty of $35,000 alone, for not providing employees with confined space rescue training at least every 12 months.

sauerkraut up close

Site Inspection Goes 'Sauer,' OSHA Serves $41,400 Fine

Hazards included the lack of a confined space training program for employees whose duties involve entering sauerkraut tanks and numerous instances of moving machine parts not guarded against accidental employee contact.

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