Risk Management


a mine inspector at work

MSHA Offers Eye Protection Video

This free video from Peabody Coal Co. explains the importance of vision protection to prevent injuries among mine personnel.

a stressed employee

Managing Risk in Today's Downsizing Economy

Workers' compensation is just one of the challenges during economic hard times. There are many others leaders must manage in their organizations.

Excavation Firm's Citations Piling Up; Latest Nears $700,000

According to OSHA, A-1 Excavating has received 38 citations from the agency since 1982, including at least eight citations for hazards associated with potential cave-ins, and seven citations for having the spoil pile too close to the trench edge.

Free 2009 Electrical Safety Workshops Begin March 2

The Workplace Safety Awareness Council begins a series of electrical safety and arc flash training classes on March 2 that includes stops in 33 cities. A Susan Harwood grant from OSHA funded the development and presentation of the series.

Updates on Safety Equipment PPE Certification Activity

In the midst of changes taking place throughout the health care industry, many OHNs are rightly feeling they are in a whole new profession, which helps explain why organizers of this year's annual AAOHN conference have for months now been plugging the event with the tagline "It's a Whole New Symposium."

New Online Store Caters to Shiftworkers, 24/7 Businesses

While the site is geared mainly for industrial shiftwork, special sections of the e-commerce site are devoted to those in the nursing and trucking industries.

Sheet Metal Fabricator Faces $273,000 in Fines for Asbestos Hazards

"The sizable fines proposed here reflect the fact that this company knew several of these critical safeguards were necessary yet chose not to provide them," said Arthur Dube, OSHA's area director in Buffalo, N.Y.



ANSI Approves Acceptance Testing Specs Standard for Electrical Power Systems

"Anyone involved in the energization of electrical equipment should consider this document a must have," says Al Peterson, president of Utility Service Corporation.

Alabama Auto Parts Plant Cited for Lockout/Tagout Failures

In addition, one of the plant's maintenance providers has also been cited, in part for failing to adequately train employees to fight fires, which it contracted to do at the site.

Honolulu Mayor Backs Stronger Texting-While-Driving Ban

The city council voted 4-4 Wednesday, sustaining Mayor Mufi Hannemann's veto of a bill that would have banned texting and playing video games while driving. Hannemann wants a more comprehensive bill enacted.

Wind farm image taken by Ronnie Rittenberry.

New Standard in the Works for Constructing, Demolishing Wind Turbines

"The committee decided to develop this standard because of the national emphasis on green energy, recognizing that thousands of these 'green' structures are going to be built and, as such, present challenging safety and health issues," A10 Committee Chair Richard King said. "The purpose of the new standard is to sort out the safety and health issues and provide practical solutions to constructors."

Warehouse Injury Reduction Focus of New Federal Alliance

The partners said they will work together to develop and distribute safety and health training materials for warehousing to enable employers and employees to implement and follow best practice standards and guidelines.

NY Facility Fined $56,000 Following Confined Space Fatality

The company was issued one willful citation, with a proposed penalty of $35,000 alone, for not providing employees with confined space rescue training at least every 12 months.

sauerkraut up close

Site Inspection Goes 'Sauer,' OSHA Serves $41,400 Fine

Hazards included the lack of a confined space training program for employees whose duties involve entering sauerkraut tanks and numerous instances of moving machine parts not guarded against accidental employee contact.

Flight Crew Member Fired for Raising Safety Concerns to Receive $400,000+

"Employees have a strong and clear right to raise legitimate safety and health concerns about their working conditions without fear of termination or reprisal," said Marthe Kent, OSHA's New England regional administrator.

OSHA's Hex Chrome PEL Upheld

A 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals decision on Monday rejected all but one claim against the 5 micrograms per cubic meter PEL set in the February 2006 final rule. The judges told OSHA to state its reasons for requiring employees to be notified when monitored exposures exceed the PEL, rather than being notified of all monitoring results as the agency originally proposed.

CDC Launches RSS Feeds for Emergency Sites

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has just launched RSS feeds for two of the most popular sections of its emergency.CDC.gov Web site.

a lightning bolt

Electrical Safety at Center Stage Next Month

PowerTest 2009 will bring the testing and maintenance industry together on the San Antonio Riverwalk for the March 9-12 event hosted by the InterNational Electrical Testing Association (NETA).

NEP Unearths Trenching, Excavation Hazards in Arkansas

An investigation found alleged willful violations in the construction company's failure to provide training in avoiding hazards associated with working in trenches eight feet deep or more and failure to provide a means of egress while employees are working at excavation worksites that are four feet deep or more.

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