News
Employers’ duty to keep and maintain records is an “ongoing obligation,” according to a proposal OSHA published July 29.
OSHA should prohibit direct contact between elephants and handlers to better protect workers, an animal rights organization said in a petition to the enforcement agency.
Notable proposed fines
$169,495 to a Milwaukee leather manufacturer for a lack of proper safety guards, which OSHA alleged could have stopped a steel roller from fatally crushing a maintenance worker
$140,000 to a contractor in Florida for personal protective equipment and fall protection violations at a residential construction site
$112,500 to a marine construction company in Florida for allegedly exposing workers to drowning, fall and impalement hazards
$112,000 to a Texas natural gas company for operator training and documentation violations in connection with the release of flammable gas and liquid that subsequently burned for more than two hours
$85,800 to a Wisconsin bread maker for machinery hazards after a temporary worker’s hand was caught in a packaging machine
$50,000 to a cabinet manufacturer in Montana for housekeeping, electrical and respiratory violations stemming from an inspection prompted by a finish sander’s death related to wood dust exposure
Review Counter
Below is a count of how many days recent OSHA proposals have been under review, as of Aug. 3:
| # of Days | OSHA Proposal |
| 32 | Walking/Working Surfaces and Personal Fall Protection Systems (final rule) |
The Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs – part of the White House’s Office of Management and Budget – reviews proposed regulations. The process is required for most rules before they can move forward, and typically takes 90 days.
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