News

Industry stakeholders voice opposition to OSHA’s silica proposal as the comment period for the rule closes.

A spate of recent deaths among communication tower workers has prompted OSHA to remind industry employers of their obligations to adhere to safety standards.

Amid controversy surrounding an OSHA guidance related to inspections on small farms, the agency has withdrawn the guidance while it sets about crafting a new document.

OSHA proposes extending its compliance date for crane operator certification and, separately, extends the comment period for its recordkeeping rule proposal.

Notable proposed fines

$697,700 to a Florida manufacturer for guarding and lockout/tagout violations in connection with the struck-by death of a worker

$144,400 to a Massachusetts excavation and utilities contractor for allegedly exposing workers to cave-in hazards

$106,650 to a lumber company in Alabama with violations related to locks to prevent equipment startup, lack of safety belts on powered industrial trucks, and lack of eyewash and body-wash stations

$91,000 to a Louisiana flavoring manufacturer for chemical overexposure and engineering control violations in connection with a chemical fire that severely burned a worker

$45,720 to a two contract companies in connection with a fatal explosion that killed one worker and injured another during confined space work at a Canastota, NY, wastewater treatment plant

Happening this week

Feb. 21 – Deadline to submit comments or requests to speak at a March 11 Whistleblower Protection Advisory Committee meeting

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