Regulatory & Standards


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.

Two Rules at Final Stage in OSHA's Latest Agenda

The two are confined spaces in construction -- to be issued in November 2011 -- and protective equipment for electrical power generating, distribution and transmission workers -- coming in September.

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.

$1 Million Fine in Confined Space Double Fatality

Britain's Health and Safety Executive prosecuted two companies and secured guilty pleas July 4 in connection with the deaths in May 2009.

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.

The tasks an OSHA standard would address might or might not be direct patient care, and examples include conducting autopsies and medical waste disposal.

Two OSHA Meetings to Discuss Infectious Agents Standard

The July 29 meetings in Washington, D.C., will give a small number of stakeholders the opportunity to discuss what should be included in a standard controlling workers' exposures during tasks such as housekeeping, medical waste disposal, repairing medical equipment, and conducting autopsies.



Pet Food Research Firm Fined $167,000 for Failing to Provide Respirators to Workers

Four willful violations, with proposed fines of $161,700, were cited for two instances of allegedly failing to provide a respirator to protect workers exposed to total dust in the production facility.

DOL Resolves OSHA Citations Against Explosives Maker Following Blast that Killed Two Workers

OSHA cited Black Mag LLC in October 2010 for more than 50 willful, egregious, and serious violations of safety standards in connection with a May 14, 2010, explosion at the company's Colebrook, N.H., facility in which two employees died while manufacturing a gunpowder substitute.

Waterborne diseases kill more than 2 million people annually worldwide, according to WHO.

WHO Calls for Better Drinking Water Standards

The organization wants governments to address chemical contaminants and water safety to prevent waterborne diseases.

Dust on Office Surfaces Can Expose People to Hazardous Flame Retardants

In a study of 31 Boston offices, polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) flame retardants now banned internationally by the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants were detected in every office tested.

MSHA Announces Results of May Impact Inspections

Coal mines were issued 339 citations, 12 orders, and two safeguards, while metal/nonmetal operations were issued 62 citations and 13 orders in May.

Brooklyn Medical Center Cited for Asbestos Hazards

OSHA's inspection found that the hospital failed to provide adequate asbestos training for environmental staff and employees in the engineering department who perform demolition and renovation.

FMCSA Shuts Down Georgia Bus Firm for 'Widespread' Violations

Evidence obtained during a compliance review conducted by FMCSA safety investigators disclosed that H & W Tour Inc. continued transportation of passengers without federal operating authority and without the required level of insurance.

Fall Hazards Add Up to $49,000 in Fines for Nebraska Roofing Firm

OSHA's inspection of the company was initiated in April under a local emphasis program focused on fall hazards, following a referral alleging employees were exposed to fall hazards while installing a roof at a Hastings, Neb., job site.

FMCSA Seeks Comments on Plan to Improve Truck, Bus Safety

“It’s vital that our stakeholders—starting with the American motoring public—participate in this dialog to shape the future course of truck and bus safety," said FMCSA Administrator Anne Ferro.

Partners in Prevention

Safety's professional associations will play an increasingly important role in support of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration in the decades ahead.

How the States See It

OSHA can look to states for guidance in standards development and educational outreach.

Worker Crushes Hand on Ironer Machine, Commercial Laundry Fined $49,935

OSHA's inspection found that the machine had not first been de-energized and had its power source locked out before maintenance was performed.

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