This week’s OSHA Roundup includes news of BP resolving more than 400 OSHA citations and agreeing to pay $13 million in penalties, and worksites being accused of having crushing hazards and dangerous chemical exposures.
News
BP Products North America agreed to pay $13 million as part of a settlement agreement involving violations found in a 2009 follow-up inspection at its Texas City facility, where 15 people died in a 2005 explosion.
Federal government agency staff looking to broaden their knowledge on how to keep worksites safe can take advantage of free training from OSHA.
Do you know someone in federal government – either in a union or management capacity – that could provide insight for Department of Labor safety and health initiatives? OSHA is now accepting applications for membership into the Federal Advisory Council on Occupational Safety and Health.
Notable proposed fines
$132,000 to an Augusta, ME, steel company accused of having a worksite with several crushing hazards and failing to provide personal protective equipment to workers for electrical work
$122,400 (.pdf file) to a Huntsville, AL, contractor for allegations of trenching violations found in an inspection prompted by a whistleblower complaint
$117,100 to a Houston chemical facility for allegations of failing to provide safety information for relief systems and failing to inspect and test safeguards, among other claims
$113,300 to a Sandwich, IL, aluminum castings producer for alleged machine guarding violations found during an inspection under a Local Emphasis Program on primary metals
$60,060 to an Austin, TX-based recycling plant for alleged safety and health violations related to a combustible dust explosion that injured two workers
$56,000 to a Dover, OH, manufacturer for alleged violations of machine guarding requirements found during an inspection under OSHA’s National Emphasis Program on amputations
Review counter
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.
Below is a count of how many days recent OSHA proposals have been under review, as of today.
- 518 days – Silica (proposed rule)
- 237 days – Modernizing OSHA’s reporting system for injuries and illnesses (proposed rule)
- 19 days – Electric power transmission and distribution; electrical protective equipment (final rule)
Happening this week
July 17 – Deadline to submit comments or request to speak at the July 24-25 Seattle meetings of the Maritime Advisory Committee for Occupational Safety and Health and its workgroups.
July 19 – Second Annual Summer Safety and Health Leadership Conference, sponsored by OSHA and taking place in Atlanta
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