Enforcement


University of Phoenix to Pay $1,875,000 for Religious Bias

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) recently announced that Federal District Court Judge Mary H. Murguia has entered a consent decree for nearly $2 million and significant remedial relief to resolve a class religious discrimination lawsuit against the University of Phoenix Inc., and its parent corporation, Apollo Group Inc.

Plumbing Manufacturer Fined $16,000 for Not Providing Toxic Chemical Info

"Because exposure to high levels of copper, lead, and zinc compounds causes a wide range of illnesses and environmental damage, communities need to know if and when these chemicals have been released," said Enrique Manzanilla, Communities and Ecosystems Division director for EPA's Pacific Southwest region.

OSHA Revises its 2008 Site-Specific Targeting Inspection Plan

The revised plan cancels and replaces OSHA's Notice 08-03 (CPL 02) 2008 Site-Specific Targeting plan issued May 19, 2008.

NTSB Acting Chairman Addresses Underage Drinking and Driving Issues

National Transportation Safety Board Acting Chairman Mark V. Rosenker recently discussed the issue of underage drinking emphasizing the need to maintain the Age 21 law before the Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) National Symposium on Underage Drinking, in Washington, DC, Rosenker noted that each year, there are more than 40,000 highway fatalities, more than any other mode of transportation.

IIHS Report Rebuts Study that Questioned Red Light Cameras

A six-page response posted Nov. 6 by the safety organization says the study commissioned by the Virginia Transportation Research Council did not validly assess whether camera enforcement reduced intersection crashes or not.

OSHA Finds Merit to Amtrak Whistleblower's Allegations

"This case sends a clear message that OSHA will not tolerate retaliation against whistleblowers," said Richard S. Terrill, OSHA's regional administrator in Seattle.

Universal Waste Proposal for Pharmaceuticals Reaches OMB

The inclusion of hazardous pharmaceutical wastes in the rule is expected to provide relief in the management of P-listed pharmaceuticals by simplifying current requirements of large quantity generators.



EPA Revises Pesticide Container and Containment Regs

You may be affected by this action if you are a pesticide formulator, agrichemical dealer, an independent commercial applicator, or a custom blender. The final rule is effective Dec. 29.

TSA Reaches Agreement with European Union on Cargo Screening

"By synchronizing the way that air cargo is secured on both sides of the Atlantic, we're taking another potential vulnerability off the table for terrorists," said DHS Secretary Michael Chertoff.

First Wireless Group to pay $435,000 to settle EEOC Suit

A New York-based company that refurbishes cell phones at its factory in Long Island will pay $435,000 to settle a wage discrimination and retaliation suit brought by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the agency announced recently.

18-wheeler

Trucking's Highway Safety Agenda Awaits Next Congress

The American Trucking Associations listed 18 actions, adopted recently by its board, that ATA considers critical to reduce highway crashes among all motorists. A national 65 mph speed limit is one of them.

Willful Violation at Root of Fatal International Paper Explosion, OSHA Says

The agency's investigation followed an incident in May that killed one employee and injured 22 others.

2008 Major Injuries, Deaths Down Again in UK

Continued declines in major workplace injuries and deaths are good news, but the HSE's chair says she's concerned about agriculture, construction, waste and recycling industries, and slip-and-fall incidents.

Small Businesses' Compliance Challenges Addressed at OSHA Forum

Electronic tools helping small businesses evaluate workplace safety and health management programs was among the topics presented at a recent OSHA forum titled "Challenges Small Businesses Face in Complying with Regulations."

White Paper Calls for OSH Policy Change from New Administration

"We are frankly weary of the culture of confrontation that perennially pervades the debates over workplace safety and health policy, that leads to political stalemate and that has alienated much of the safety and health community," says ORC Senior VP Frank White, author of the report.

Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm

Michigan's Governor Moves Energy into Labor Department's Role

A new director will be the state's Chief Energy Officer once the executive order signed by Gov. Jennifer Granholm, shown here, takes effect. Some expect Granholm to become the next U.S. labor secretary if Barack Obama wins today.

Maine Firm Fined for Oil Spill Prevention Violations, Inadequate Security

An inspection found that two of the company's oil storage facilities adjacent to Penobscot Bay had failed to maintain sufficiently impervious secondary containment for its oil tanks and one of the sites next to the harbor had inadequate containment for the loading and off-loading areas.

Refinery Fined $357,750 for Willful Chemical, Explosion Hazards, More

"It is inexcusable for employees to be situated next to the process operation and have them use equipment that could serve as an ignition source for an explosion," said Clyde Payne, director of OSHA's Area Office in Jackson, Miss.

IT Company to pay nearly $1.7 million in Back Wages

GlobalCynex Inc., a Sterling information technology company, has agreed to pay $1,683,584 to 343 non-immigrant workers after a U.S. Labor Department investigation found the company violated the H-1B visa provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act.

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