The agency began a health inspection in June after receiving information that fires had occurred in the Ohio plant, and that large amounts of dust from the manufacturing process had accumulated throughout the worksite.
The Connecticut-based company received citations for working around energized transmission lines that were not grounded and working within the minimum approach distance in a bucket truck that was improperly rated for the work being conducted, OSHA said.
The accident investigation, which was conducted by OSHA's Puerto Rico Area Office, resulted in citations for exposing workers to the hazards of hot water and steam condensate, not developing and documenting procedures to prevent the unintended release of hot water and steam, and not training workers on the safe application, usage, and removal of energy control devices.
"We want to ensure all construction companies -- big and small -- are prepared to effectively control the workplace hazards their employees may encounter," said Nick Walters, OSHA's area director in Peoria, Ill.
The fees for training and courses provided by the commission's Safety Section take effect Dec. 1 in three categories: per-person specialty courses/workshops, flat-rate full or half days once per month for a year, and hourly rates for as-needed training.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with Gorilla Inc., of Flushing, Mich., has announced a voluntary recall of approximately 90 EXO-Tech safety harnesses. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.
The Z359 Accredited Standards Committee said that an interpretation was not necessary because the scope of the committee and its projects and standards has always included rolling stock and therefore it is not exempt from the standard.
"An unprotected trench is a potential grave, since its sidewalls can collapse in an instant, crushing and burying workers before they have a chance to react or escape," said Brenda Gordon, OSHA's area director for Boston and southeastern Massachusetts.
Approved by ANSI on Oct. 27, the revised Z359.0-2009 is now available to download at no cost on ASSE's Web site.
New Place Carpentry, a New Haven, Conn., contractor with a long history of fall protection violations, faces a total of $308,500 in new fines from the OSHA for willful and repeat fall hazards following the agency's inspections at worksites in Plymouth and Methuen, Mass.
Over the past two decades, as recreational use of hot tubs has increased, so has the number of injuries, according to a recent study conducted by the Center for Injury Research and Policy of The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital. It found that from 1990-2007, the number of unintentional hot tub-related injuries increased by 160 percent, from approximately 2,500 to more than 6,600 injuries per year.
OSHA said the alleged serious violations stem from the employer using a flexible cord that was not properly wired, improper use of ladders that were damaged, and lack of ladder training.
One of the questions most frequently asked is, "What kind of training do I need to be a Competent Person in regard to fall protection?" Although it seems like a straightforward question, the answer can be a little tricky. Many people believe the singular requirement to achieve Competent Person status is completion of a fall protection course, but it's just not that simple.
"Steel mills remain a dangerous place to work, and it is inexcusable to fail to correct serious dangers, particularly after they've already been identified by OSHA. . . . We expect better," said OSHA Area Director Jule Hovi in Toledo, Ohio.
Employees not wearing PPE and the employer's failure to develop, implement, or maintain a written hazard communications program for employees working with mortar or cement were among the 11 repeat violations, which, together with five serious violations, have proposed penalties totaling $146,000.
The 2004 death of Keith Webb, 53, during the unloading of a ship docked in the Thames River exposed Tate & Lyle PLC's failure to train employees to enter and exit ships' holds.
"Improperly utilized fall protection equipment is just as deadly as failing to use fall protection at all," said OSHA Area Director Rosemarie Ohar. "Workers who lack adequate and effective fall protection are just one slip, trip or misstep away from a potentially fatal plunge."
"This company was previously cited for workplace hazards and did not take the necessary steps to be in compliance, resulting in this avoidable tragedy," said Lisa Levy, area director of OSHA's office in Hasbrouck Heights, N.J.
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.
Between the National Safety Congress and A+A, taking place amid Dusseldorf's lovely scenery, the world's PPE providers and safety professionals will have plenty to chew on before the holidays.