Facility Safety


OSHA Nails Ohio Firm Following Worker's Crushing Injury

Three violations involve not following lockout/tagout standards to isolate energy sources in order to prevent the unexpected energization of machinery.

Worker Loses Finger in Machine, Plastics Firm Fined $70,000

OSHA initiated its inspection May 5 after being notified of the amputation. The violations involve failing to ensure equipment was turned off and properly guarded to prevent contact with moving parts during servicing operations.

Grain Bin Maker Fined $142,400 for Plethora of Serious Safety Violations

The company was cited for one willful, one repeat, 20 serious, and one-other-than serious violation, following a combined safety and health inspection at the company's facility.

OSHA Pounds Pilgrim's Pride Chicken for Combustible Dust Hazards

"Pilgrim's Pride continues to allow combustible dust to accumulate on motors and electrical equipment, causing the potential for a fire or explosion," said Kurt Petermeyer, OSHA's area director in Mobile, Ala.

‘Find It – Fix It’ Ergonomics Challenge Is On

Organizations are asked to submit their best workplace improvements, highlighting the implementation of a creative, sustainable, and high-impact ergonomic solution.

OSHA Prescribes Walgreens $104,500 in Fines for Struck-By Hazards

This employer failed to address common and basic hazards posed by blocked exits, falls from heights, and being struck by a heavy gas cylinder," said Bill Fulcher, director of OSHA's Atlanta-East Area Office.

AIHA Offers Mold Resources for Homeowners

Water is not the only danger of flooding. The mold that may occur after water has receded can be far more hazardous to the homeowner and family.

Illinois Grocer Busted for Process Safety Management Violations

OSHA has cited the company for 13 safety violations with $75,000 in proposed penalties.



CDC Releases Infection Prevention Guide to Promote Safe Outpatient Care

The guide states that all outpatient practices should ensure that at least one individual with specific training in infection control is on staff or regularly available. This individual should be involved in developing a written infection control policy and have regular communication with health care providers to address specific issues or concerns.

Rebuttal: Textile Group Says Shop Rag Study Launders Results

TRSA contends the science behind research results released this week is insufficient and mainly a transparent effort to push disposable paper industrial wipers as substitutes for reusable cloth shop towels.

Two Workers Suffer Amputations at Metal Stamping Facility, Firm Fined $214,830

"T & D Metal Products failed to ensure machine guarding and safety procedures were in place to protect employees, even after a worker was injured. This negligence contributed to a second worker being injured on the same type of equipment eight days later," said Tom Bielema, OSHA's area director in Peoria.

Study: Laundered Shop Towels May Be Contaminating Workers

“Without knowing it, manufacturing workers may be ingesting certain heavy metals at elevated levels from this unexpected source," said Barbara Beck, Ph.D., DABT, principal at Gradient, the firm that conducted the research. "For some of these metals, the amounts ingested may be greater than allowed in drinking water on a daily basis."

OSHA Nails Home Depot for Failing to Remove Damaged Equipment from Service

"The Home Depot previously has been cited for failing to remove damaged safety equipment from use and should be familiar with OSHA's regulations and requirements," said Diane Turek, OSHA's area director in Des Plaines, Ill.

Texas Bakery Fined $199,600 for Hazardous Chemicals Violations

OSHA cited the same company in 2006 for similar violations at Plant 2 of the China Grove facility with proposed penalties of $78,300. The company also was cited in April 2011 with proposed penalties of $229,400 following an amputation incident and multiple inspections at the two facilities.

Process Safety Management Violations Add Up to $62,100 in Fines for N.J. Firm

An inspection was initiated on Jan. 7 in response to a referral from the New Jersey State Police alleging that a hazardous chemical solvent was released during a cleaning process.

NIOSH Fact Sheet Highlights Safety, Health Concerns Among Hotel Cleaners

Nearly 1.8 million people worked in the traveler/accommodations industry in 2008, including more than 400,000 hotel room cleaners.

Manufacturer Fined $169,500 Following Worker's Fatal Electrocution

Two serious violations related to the fatality include not requiring employees to use work safety practices when dealing with live electrical circuits, and failing to use locks and tags when de-energizing test equipment.

One standard would explain how to prepare effective FM agreements between clients and service providers.

ISO Facility Management Standards Proposed

ANSI is inviting all interested stakeholders to submit comments on the British Standards Institution's proposal by Aug. 12.

ASHRAE Proposes Building Water Systems Legionella Standard

The second public review of ASHRAE Standard 188P will end July 25.

Metal Stamping Plant Faces $426,100 in Fines for Failing to Report Amputations

Two employees received injuries while operating mechanical power presses in the plant prior to OSHA's January inspection. As a result, the company was cited for a total of nine willful safety violations.

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