The citation is based in part on information that two children living in renovated Michigan homes had tested positive for elevated blood lead levels.
According to EEOC, a jobseeker who has multiple sclerosis applied for one of six open barista positions but was never contacted for an interview; meanwhile, individuals with less experience and availability were hired instead.
“Every day we have millions of risks and different types of risks. We assess, audit, look ahead. We must complete our mission safely, as does NASA and everyone on this panel,” said Greg Hale, vice president of Worldwide Safety and Accessibility for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts.
The study calls the new standard "radically different" from the previous standard and says because its rules for product markings have changed, users will need to be educated on matching the hazard from which they need protection with the new marking on the product.
“It’s an unfortunate fact that monetary penalties just aren’t enough,” said OSHA chief David Michaels, Ph.D., MPH. “We believe that nothing focuses the mind like the threat of doing time in prison, which is why we need criminal penalties for employers who are determined to gamble with their workers’ lives and consider it merely a cost of doing business when a worker dies on the job.”
"It is unacceptable for employers to retaliate against employees who raise safety and health concerns," said Robert Kulick, OSHA's regional administrator in New York. "Employers will be held accountable if they violate workers' legal right to have a voice in the workplace on health and safety."
“For members of the community with specialized mobility needs, such as people with disabilities, older workers, youth and low-income earners, transportation is often the link that makes employment in good jobs possible,” said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis.
"For too long workers have avoided making claims of unsafe work conditions out of fear of losing their jobs," said OSHA chief Dr. David Michaels. "We are confident that this new training will embolden workers to speak up when they find work practices that endanger their lives and the lives of their co-workers."
“We typically hear about hot work accidents weekly," said CSB Investigations Supervisor Donald Holmstrom. "It has become one of the most significant types of incidents the CSB investigates, in terms of deaths and in terms of frequency.”
Violations found at both stores include the company's failure to maintain exit routes, as well as walking and working surfaces that were free and unobstructed, to implement a hazard communication program, and to protect employees from electrical hazards.
Global threats such as SARS, avian flu, and the more recent H1N1 influenza or swine flu, have led to a surge in demand for the products, the study notes.
According to EEOC, the company subjected an employee to unfair and heightened job scrutiny, gave him poor performance ratings, and refused to promote him based on his age, 61, despite his successful job performance.
The safety consulting firm that received the VPP award assists companies with establishing and managing health and safety management systems. The effectiveness of its own such system at its office in Mars, Pa., merited recognition, OSHA said.
The San Francisco-based company was charged with refusing to let a female employee work as a mechanic while hiring less-qualified men and then firing her after she filed a discrimination charge.
The agency's inspections found inadequately trained employees performing work without the proper personal protective equipment while being exposed to live parts.
It will start at 1 p.m. EDT. Comments received will help the agency develop its standard addressing dust hazards.
The Food Safety and Inspection Service will hold these meetings to explain to stakeholders what it expects under the validation guidance issued in March. Comments are due by June 19, five days after the first meeting in Washington, D.C.
On June 28 in Portland, Conn., the investigative board will hear preliminary findings about the gas purging explosion that killed six people Feb. 7 in Middletown and will consider urgent recommendation to OSHA and others.
"This employer's failure to address these potentially life-threatening conditions leaves its workers exposed to the hazards of fire, explosion, electrocution, lacerations, amputation, and toxic substances," said Diana Cortez, OSHA's area director in Tarrytown.
"Failing to inspect and test the ammonia piping system and take corrective action exposes workers to the possibility of an ammonia leak or similar severe or catastrophic incident," said Rosemarie Ohar, OSHA's area director for New Hampshire.