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Showing posts from November, 2009

OSHA Cites A Wheel Repair Shop With the Failure-To-Abate And Repeat The Safety And Health Violations

Atlanta: The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is proposing $69,550 penalties against the wheel repair solutions that is doing a business as the World of Wheels & Hubcaps, for the safety and health violations at Decatur, Ga., Location. While a follow-up inspection at World of Wheels & Hubcaps, OSHA found seven failure-to-abate violations. The employer failed to certify a hazard assessment for personal protection had been conducted, failed to provide a hazard communication training, failed to develop a written hazard communication program, failed to develop a written respiratory protection program and also did note train workers to wear tight- fitting respirators. Addition to this, the employer let the workers use compressed air that was greater 30 pounds square inch (PSI) for cleaning. The penalty proposed for the failure-to-abate violations is $66,750. Also, the citation also include three repeat violations with proposed penalty of $2,800 for employees witho

OSHA cites Peekskill, New York, contractor for full hazard at Peekskill Middle School Construction Site

Tarrytown, NY. - Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) cited Kane Contracting Inc. for allegedly violating safety standards during the renovation work at Peekskill Middle School that is located at 212 Ringold St. The contractor is charged of $42,000 in penalties and inspection opened June 29 in response to the complaint. During inspection OSHA found that the workers were exposed to falls up to 18 feet at the time of using scaffold for the installation of sheetrock on the ceiling of the auditorium. The scaffold had no guardrails, and fall protection equipment was neither used nor supplied. According to OSHA’s requirement, an effective form of fall protection should be in place and should be used whenever employees are working on scaffolds 10 feet higher above the next level. Diana Cortez, OHSA’s area director in Tarrytown said; "Falls are the leading cause of death in construction, and this employer well knows the requirement that workers be protected against this co

OSHA’s Second Largest Fine Issued In The History of Colorado

The Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) and the Wage and Hour Division fined a Colorado grain elevator company $1.6 million in violations. Kiowa Country, CO- In the history of Colorado, the second largest fine was issued against the Temple Grain Elevators following the death of the 17 year old Cody Rigsby who was killed while working in grain elevator on 29th of May. OSHA and the Wage and Hour Division on Monday, November 23, 2009 issued over $ 1.6 million in fines, as reported by 9News.com. The victim, Cody Rigsby was killed at the Temple Grain’s Haswell grain elevator, when he fell into the elevator and was suffocated. The body was not recovered for nearly six hours. Occupational Health and Safety Administration slapped the Wiley- based grain elevator company for the various violations at the Haswell site and their headquarters that included: • The flow of the grain was not shut off. • There were no employees to supervise the men working inside the bin. • Ri

OSHA focuses Local Emphasis Program on General Industry Establishments with Respiratory and Noise Hazards

OMAHA, Neb. – OSHA‘s (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) Omaha Area Office has started a local emphasis program in Nebraska aimed to reduce employee exposure to health hazards in general industry establishments that commonly have the respiratory and noise hazards. This program is designed to help general industry employers who proactively addresses to air and noise quality issues in the workplace. The use of the term “general industry” by OSHA refers to all industries not included in construction, agriculture or maritime. “The hazards associated with noise and air contamination are well recognized,” said the OSHA’s regional administrator in Kansas City, Mo., Charles E. Adkins. "OSHA's Omaha Area Office will devote resources to outreach and enforcement activities for many general industry employers in Nebraska to help ensure worksites are safe and healthful." According to the program, OSHA will make a list of potential companies for inspection based on the type

For The Protection Of Workers At Retail Service Events OSHA Provides Crowd Control Guidelines

Washington: OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) has prepared a fact sheet that includes crowd control guidelines for the retailers to protect the workers at the time of major sales events. Last year a worker died because he was trampled while a mob of shoppers rushed through the doors of a large store to take an advantage of an after Thanksgiving sales event. The store lacked the kind of crowd control measure that was recommended in OSHA’s fact sheet. “Crowd related injuries during retail sales and promotional events have increased during recent years,” said Jordan Barab, Assistant Secretary. “Many of these incidents could possibly be prevented, and this fact sheet provides retail employers with the guidelines for avoiding injuries during the holiday shopping season.” The fact sheet provides employers with the recommended elements for crowd control plans. The plan should include to have trained security police officers or personnel on site, setting up of rope lines or

OSHA 10-Hour Safety Compliance Training announced obligatory in Seven Other States

OSHA Standard Rules and Regulations were already in effect in many states of United States Of America. The states where OSHA law is being followed include – Hampshire, New York, Missouri, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts. It is enforced that OSHA Law will get in effect in the state of Nevada from beginning 2010. It is nothing written in the books of Law that workers of these 7 states require OSHA 10 hours construction safety training before they get started working in any construction industry. OSHA 10 hour outreach training was designed by the Occupational Health and Safety Administration as an intended course to educate workers about the hazards being faced in the construction industry and teach the ways to over come these hazards ruining lives of many workers working in these hazardous place dealing with harmful chemicals. But now, Law has made this 10-hour safety training course as a compulsion in the seven states of US to all workers working in construction industry where they have

OSHA investigating construction site following the death of a worker in trench collapse

Dakota Dunes, Iowa- According to the authorities the worker who died in a accident at construction site in Dakota Dunes, South Dakota on Tuesday morning is from Sioux Falls. The Union County sheriff says Gabe Koenigsfeld; 27 year old was a part of the crew digging a basement on Tuesday morning when a part of the wall collapsed. He was buried under sand and dirt. Despite of the quick efforts put to dig him out, he was pronounced dead at a Sioux City hospital. The worker worked for the JJ construction, in Tea. He was an outstanding at sports at Rudd-Rockford- Marble Rock High School in Iowa, and was former football player in South Dakota State. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration spokesperson says that they did have a compliance officer at the site on Wednesday. The first task is to ensure that no one else is exposed to the hazards at the site says OSHA. The officer will check if the work site was in compliance with trenching and excavating standards interview the employees

OSHA 30 Hour Course made easier with Online

With the World becoming global and so is the communication which is also becoming easier at a rapid pace. With the help of internet it has now become easy to educate oneself without having the need to move around. You can access to all kind of facilities just at the click of a mouse. It is very much possible now to make your workplace safer, where you spend your maximum time of the day by just a click of a button. To make your work site safer for yourself or the others working on the site is to enroll yourself in OSHA 30 hour course online. But for the starters you need to make sure that you select on OSHA approved OSHA safety program to gain the correct OSHA certification. There are many benefits of taking OSHA 30 hour training online. This safety training program has been made approachable and simpler by designing it meticulously with the regular updates and making it available on the internet. While there may be people who believe that they can get good experience of the subject by

Companies Failing To Report All Injuries

Washington-There are some employers who have been pressurizing the workers not to report injuries and illness. According to the congressional investigators this is the problem that has led to the widespread underreporting of workplace safety issues. OSHA’s inspectors often didn’t interview the workers to verify what employers claim when keeping tabs on illness rates and accidents, The GAO (Government Accountability Office) report released on Monday states. According to the report; workplace illness and injuries went unreported because the employees were pressured by the companies to withhold the information. And there were health providers said that they were pressured to withhold medical treatment so companies could avoid filing the reports with OSHA. The report of GAO said OSHA could catch some of the underreporting of the companies by properly auditing the employer records and not totally relying on the data of employer. On Monday, Hilda Solis, the Labor Secretary said she will move

Working in any Industry is unsafe for Teenagers – Follow OSHA Rules

It’s a duty of an employer of a company not to follow OSHA standards, its rules and regulations, but also to understand it as well. Today there are some organizations where several programs are organized, specially meant to educate youngsters about the organizational health safety and help them finding jobs. It has been continuously a center point in every industry that hazardous accidents are taking place due to lack of people’s knowledge about safety. When talking about teenagers, it is found out that all kind of industries are unsafe for them and lots of training is to be provided to them to avoid such accidental injuries. It is not that employers are unaware about the efficiency of health and safety training for youngsters, but they are lacking behind to aid them with a proper training due to the reason they do not want to invest their time, and money to educate their employees who work with them. Industries specially Construction Industry and Agriculture Industry are the most trea

Top Ten Safety Violations for 2009, Reports OHSA

OSHA reveals the preliminary top ten most frequent workplace safety violations for the year of 2009 in a presentation at NSC’s annual Congress & Expo. There has been increment in the number of top ten violations almost 30% from the year 2008. “We appreciate our colleagues at OSHA presenting their violation data to such a receptive audience,” said Janet Froetscher, National Safety Council President and CEO. “The sheer number of violations gives us new resolve in raising awareness about the importance of having sound safety procedure.” Given below are the workplace violations in 2009: 1. Scaffolding-9,093 violations: Scaffold accidents are mostly due to the planking or support giving way, or from the employer who is slipping or is being struck by a falling object. 2. Fall Protection-6,771 violations: Whenever a worker is at a height of four feet or more, the worker is at risks and his protection is needed. Fall protection is a must to be provided at four feet in general industr

AIHA to Present TeleWeb on OSHA’s Proposal “To Adopt The Globally Harmonized System For Hazard Communication”

Fairfax, VA- The American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) will be hosting “OSHA’s Proposal to Adopt the Globally Harmonized System for Hazard Communication,” which is an Intermediate TeleWeb Virtual Seminar on 19th November, 2009 from 2-4.30pm. Speakers featured are Jennifer Silk and Denese Deeds, CIH. OSHA’s proposal for aligning its Hazard Communication Standard with the globally harmonized provisions is first major rulemaking action of the agency by the new administration. The GHS, (Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals) gives specific criteria to characterize physical, health and environmental hazards of chemicals. It also comprises of harmonized label elements and an agreed format for safety data sheets. On the completion of the program, participants can; • Describe about OSHA’s proposal to revise the Hazard Communication Standard • Describe the difference that is between the proposed revisions and current standard. • Identify the c

OSHA cites Loren Cook Co. of Springfield, Mo. $ 511, 000 after the death of a worker

Springfield, Mo. - The U.S Department of Labor’s OSHA has cited seven alleged willful and three alleged serious violation to Loren Cook Co. after a worker was killed by an ejected machine part on May 13. “Loren Cook Co. willfully allowed employees to work on dangerous equipment without safeguarding the machinery and exposed workers to debris ejected while operating manual spinning lathes,” was said by Jordan Barab, an acting Assistant Secretary of OSHA. “It is compulsory that employer take steps to eliminate hazards and provide a safe working environment.” Seven willful citations at $70,000 each proposed for failing to guard seven manual spinning lathes, with a proposed penalty of $490,000. A willful violation is issued by OSHA when an employer exhibits plain indifference to or any intentional disregard for employee’s safety and health. Total of $21,000for three serious citations with penalties are proposed for absence of adequate personal protective equipment for worker’s face, hands

OSHA proposes a fine of $50,600 against the Metro Steel Fabricators Inc

The U.S Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration proposed a fine of $50,600 against Metro Steel Fabricators Inc. to steel erection contractor of Brooklyn, for alleged serious and willful violations of safety standards at Tuckahoe, N.Y. On OSHA’s inspection they found that workers at the 30 Elm St. worksite were exposed to electrocution hazards while working within the 10 feet of energized High- voltage power and the service lines. While the workers who were connecting steel beams without the fall protection were exposed to falls of three stories. “Fall and electrocutions are counted among the leading causes of death in construction work.” Said OSHA’s area director in Tarrytown, N.Y. “Electricity can kill or injure instantly, while a momentary slip, trip or loss of balance can lead to a fatal or disabling plunge. There is no good reason for employers’ failure to provide the basic, commonsense and legally required safeguards at each and every jobsite. “ In insp

Want To Get an Online OSHA Training

If you want to get Occupational Safety Health Administration (OSHA) training and don’t have time to attend campus training course then you don’t have to worry now. OSHA training is now available online as well as on site. Here are some useful tips given of how to get an OSHA training online. Step-1 Go to the OSHA campus website and view the demo courses they provide. This will let you get a feel of what are their teaching methods and online course content available through the website. Step-2 Then click the “Contact us” tab at the top of the page, followed by “course enrollment”. This will take you to the contact page of OSHA. Step-3 Fill in the inquiry form and wait for the response. You can also directly contact OSHA at the toll free number to expedite your application process. Step-4 After you have contacted them and registered yourself, login and begin your course. Before that make sure you have a good internet connection and are not relying on others wireless signal. Losing intern

Biggest Fine of OSHA to BP of $87M for Texas Refinery Fix

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration imposed the largest fine in the history as it slapped British Giant BP with an $87 million penalty for workplace violations in connection with the 2005 Texas City blast in which 15 people were killed and 170 people were injured according to the reports on 30th October’09. According to reports, a person who is close to the company said it was considering an appeal to the decision according to the reports. The fine marks to be the latest in a series of big legal cost in connection with the explosion. BP (BP58.43, -0.10, -0.17%) two years ago moved to pay a $50 million criminal fine. It was the biggest charged under Clean Air Act. Then the new fine comes on top of a $21 million OSHA payment in year 2005. It also settled thousands of civil claims which were related to the blast. BP said that it was disappointed with OSHA’s citation. According to published reports OSHA said, “We believe our efforts to improve the process of safety performanc

Use of Asbestos at your Workplace can cause serious Lung Diseases

Around 1985, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and Environmental Protection Agency were empowered with tough new laws that enabled them to crack down on the impact of asbestos of the health of the people. It was at this time the use of asbestos in construction and its production came to a complete halt. However, both the organizations continue to seek more specific laws for restricting the use of asbestos so that the possibility of more asbestos related diseases can be eliminated. We can blame industry and American business for not being mindful of the health of their workers, when it was well known that the exposure to airborne asbestos fibers would result in serious lung diseases. The business community conveniently chose not to regard the danger in favor of using these asbestos for the business profits is one of the dark stories of the development of business and industry in this country. It was a matter of shame that the government turned blind eye to an inc

OSHA First Responder Training and You

You can be a busy manager but you would never like to get into trouble for not implementing for OSHA rules and regulations. You may not have sufficient time to read and understand each and every page of guidelines and regulations but it is important for you to create some time for OSHA first responder training. Implementation of OSHA regulations is to ensure highest safety standards at the workplace. This is of utmost importance to both employers and employees. There have been guidelines issued for preventive measures of any kind of illness, accidents and death of the employees. Though there are separate guidelines for different industries like construction, medical, agricultural etc. There are many private and government agencies that provide OSHA first responder training. You can enroll for any of these safety training courses. They value for you precious time and money. OSHA First Responder Training is available in two levels, first is awareness level and second is operations leve

What are the Focus Four Hazards as defined by OSHA?

Construction workers cover about 6% of the country’s workforce but it accounts for more than 20% of all job related fatalities each year. Construction is considered to be one of the most hazardous industries in America. Each year there has been increase in the number of construction workers who lose their lives and are injured. The Focus Four Hazards continue to account for the greatest number of preventable fatalities that occur in the construction industry. More important is the information in the causes of these accidents than the total number of construction fatalities. These fatalities and injuries which are associated with the Focus Four hazards are preventable. It occurs when the guidance for the standards are not followed. It is essential that additional safety emphasis is to be placed on the Focus Four hazards in construction. It is of importance that safety and health programs contain provisions to protect the workers from the Focus Four hazards on the job. OSHA Focus Four an

First-Aid in Workplace can save lives

Every workplace should include these four major components of First-aid that should include; first-aid room, first-aid box, first-aider, first-aid equipment and first-aider. When deciding the number of first-aid box, first-aid rooms, first-aiders following factors should be considered; the type of industry, total number of workers and location of the company to the nearest hospital. If the company has shift work schedule then there should be enough first-aiders for each shift. Employer of the company should maintain safe systems of work at workplace and they should also give safety training courses to prepare the workers to act according to the situation which is required at the time of any accident or injury. In a workplace it is the duty of the employer to display the notice, in a prominent place at work-site which should include the names and location of first-aiders. An employer should send his workers to get first-aid training. Here are some of the important steps which first-aide

Avoid accidents at your Workplace

Falls are considered to be one common accident which occurs in workplaces. It is becomes problematic because you cannot avoid injury then. OSHA after sensing the increasing number of injury has increased the regulations to avoid workplace falls and workplace safety. If you are working as an employee of the workplace where it has the potential of causing fall injuries, it is your responsibility then to be aware of what OSHA requires of your employer. The prime duty of an employer is to provide safe work environment to its workers, which is very important for OSHA. The responsibility to safety extends beyond the falls and it includes other facets of the work environment as well. On failing to keep the workplace safe and clean can cause fines and litigation. If you fall and get injured due to your employer’s negligence then it is within your legal rights to seek financial compensation as lawsuit. Having all being said, it is still important to be careful and avoid the necessity of filing