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The United States, Occupational Safety and Heath Organization is primarily a regulatory agency that aims to protect workers and employees by issuing and enforcing, certain safety and heath standards and regulations. If these rules are not followed through, by the organizational owners, they often are forced to pay a very hefty fine. However, this seems to be just a small cost, when it comes to protecting one of the biggest assets of any company. By following these safety rules and regulations, an employer basically emphasizes his commitment towards safety as well as his organization. Recently, the OSHA investigators found that, Nexus Pulp and Paper, an Atlanta Business Chronicle, allegedly failed to correct certain workplace hazards. Hence, this Atlanta plant is now facing fines that have mounted up to $48,000. The Department of Labor, OSHA( Occupational Safety and Health Administration) has reported that, during a recent inspection, one of its compliance officers found that the paper ...

The U.S, Occupational Safety and Health Administration recently announced that British Petroleum (BP) Products North America Inc., would have to pay a record penalty of $50.6 million. These hefty fines are a result of the March 2005 explosion, that took place in its Texas City refinery. The 2005 explosion had killed 15 workers and injured 170 others. In addition, to this penalty amount, BP has also agreed to allocate a minimum of $500 million in order to protect its employees from any future hazards or mishaps. The Secretary of Labor, Hilda L. Solis said that, "This agreement achieves our goal of protecting workers at the refinery and ensuring that critical safety upgrades are made as quickly as possible," she further went on to say that, "The size of the penalty rightly reflects BP's disregard for workplace safety and shows that we will enforce the law so workers can return home safe at the end of their day." In 2005, OSHA had initially fined BP a total sum of ...

The United States, Department of Labor's, Occupational Safety and Health Administration has recently penalized the Gaby Iron and Metal Co. in Chicago Heights, Ill. This metal recycle Corporation has come under OSHA's radar, for it has allegedly been found guilty of committing a whopping 17 health and safety violations. This even includes, exposing workers to high amounts of lead. High levels of lead can cause paralysis, kidney malfunctions, brain damage and even death. OSHA has fined the Gaby Iron and Metal Co. a total sum of $135,850. Present below is a list that highlights the various violations that have been committed by this metal recycle Corporation. They are: 1.Failing to implement a respiratory protection program, 2.Failing to provide a written lead compliance or training plan, 3.Failing to monitor air for lead during process or material changes and 4.Allowing workers to be exposed to lead in excess of allowable limits. Gary Anderson, the OSHA Area Director said that, ...

The number of workplace fall injuries have drastically reduced. But this drastic change could only be made possible with the help of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. OSHA is primarily, a regulatory agency, that ensures workplace safety by issuing and enforcing certain health and safety standards and regulations. The compliance assistance specialist with the St. Louis Area Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Mr.Mark Minicky, recently spoke about these workplace injury trends at the annual Business Health Summit, which was held at the Saint Francis Medical Center. In 2003, 5 out of every 100 workers sustained an OSHA-reportable injury. In 2008, 3.9 of every 100 workers sustained an OSHA-reportable injury. More over, the number of workplace fatalities have also dropped, from 5,214 people in 2008 to nearly 4,340 in 2009. Mr.Mark Minicky, said that,"This is somewhat reflective of the downturn in the economy. There is less activity going on, particularly les...

The Occupational Safety and Heath Organization has now started investigating the events leading up to the explosion that took place at the Merrill manufacturing plant. That very explosion sent 2 workers to the hospital. However, the emergency crews that responded, credit pre-planning and experience for their quick response. The fire Chief of Merrill, Odegard said that, "When a call like that comes in, you don't know what you have until you get there and your mind naturally gravitates toward what is the worst case scenario so when you have experience, it lets you calm down a little bit and take it one at a time until you find out exactly what you have." He further went on to say that they make sure that they co-ordinate at least 2 meetings a year, with local manufacturing plants. These meetings in turn give them a chance to get a good layout of what's inside each and every building. On the other hand, Ken Neff, the Police Captain, credited constant training and communi...

Walbridge is all set to become the first construction company in Michigan to receive the Star Award for health and safety excellence from the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration. With this award, Walbridge is going to be commended for its exemplary safety practices and programs at the Couzens Hall renovation project on the campus of the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. MIOSHA's Director, Doug Kalinowski and deputy director and chief of staff of the Michigan Department of Energy, Labor and Economic Growth, Susan Corbin, will be presenting this Star Award to Walbridge. This commendatory ceremony will begin at 11:30 am on Thursday, Sept. 23, at Palmer Field. The CEO and chairman, Mr. John Rakolta, Jr, will accept the award on behalf of the company. Doug Kalinowski, said that, "The Star Award recognizes the highest level of achievement in the state for occupational safety and health management in construction," he went to say that, "The industry pl...

Utility giant, Pacific Gas & Electric Co. has been ordered by the California workplace safety regulators to pay a hefty fine of $176,000. This Electrical organization has been penalized with such a huge fine after a worker named Maximiliano Martinez of Windsor in Benicia had died, after he was electrocuted, earlier this year. Pacific Gas & Electric Co. was ordered by the state Department of Industrial Relations to pay the fine, after Cal-OSHA, the agency's Division of Occupational Safety and Health blamed the utility for lax enforcement of safety rules. OSHA is a regulatory body that tries to maintain workplace safety by issuing and enforcing certain safety and health rules and regulations. Cal-OSHA Issued a statement that stated that the utility had committed a "serious, willful accident-related" violation of safety regulations. Martinez had been upgrading a transformer that was fed by 12,000-volt power lines in an underground vault on Panorama Drive, when he was...

The AIDS Healthcare Foundation of Los Angeles has recently learned that the California Department of Industrial Relations, Division of Occupational Safety and Health, has launched a formal investigation on Larry Flynt Productions. Cal-OSHA is the state’s workplace safety and healthy regulatory and watchdog organization. Whereas, LPF or Larry Flynt Productions, is also know as the adult entertainment empire that's headed by Larry Flynt. This formal investigation was launched after OSHA investigators had visited Flynt’s corporate headquarters, which are located in Beverly Hills. Furthermore, in August 2010, a formal ‘Notice of Safety or Health Hazards’ complaint was filed by the AIDS Healthcare Foundation. This complaint stated that Flynt's films demonstrate life-threatening and unsafe behavior. But more importantly, AHF supported their claims by submitting more than a 100 Flynt Productions adult DVDs. Michael Weinstein, The President of AIDS Healthcare Foundation, has this to sa...

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has penalized the Dave Shaw Concrete & Block company, for allegedly committing several safety violations, after a worker was killed and buried at a large building that was under construction near South Park in Hermosa. The fines have mounted up to a total sum of $128,945. Shaw stated that he would be appealing the fine. He even called the fatal mishap a “terrible accident.” but he did say that OSHA's conclusions were inaccurate in some areas and this in turn has painted a misleading picture. Alejandro Valladares, was just 29 years old, when he plunged head-first into a hole in the ground. The Cal-OSHA investigators found that the company endangered Valladares, when they placed him on a wooden platform. Furthermore, the hole he had fallen into was not properly covered or otherwise protected. With regards to the open hole, Shaw had this to say, “ You have to uncover the hole to pour concrete.” Krisann Chasarik, a spokeswoman for ...

At an apartment complex in Plantation, a 26-year-old Stuart man died, after a bizarre landscaping accident. Battalion Chief Joel Gordon, of the Plantation Fire Department, said that the man was riding an industrial lawn mower next to a man-made lake. His co-workers, six to be exact, were also doing maintenance work at Southern Point, but apparently in different areas. The Battalion Chief Joel Gordon, went on to say that, “Somehow the mower ended up in the lake, with him trapped under it.” he also stated that, “I say `somehow,' because we're not sure how the accident happened, or even when it happened. He even said that, “we don't know how long he was in the water. No one saw him go in. But a resident called 911 at about 10:20 am.'' The Plantation police officers were the first to arrive on the scene. They were even able to find the spot at which the man and mower entered the water. However, the water was too dark and too deep for officers to locate him. Both the Pla...

OSHA is a body in the U.S Department of Labor. This regulatory body was established under the OSHA Act, by the Congress of the United States. On the 29th of December 1970, this Act was signed by President Richard M. Nixon. From its initiation, OSHA has consistently and constantly been on a mission to reduce and eliminate work place health and safety issues, mishaps and fatalities, by enforcing certain safety guidelines, standards and procedures. Recently, OSHA took one more leap forward by opening a new office in Phoenix. Initially, it was controlled and managed from a regional office in San Francisco. Today, OSHA has taken yet another step forward by opening another new office in Honolulu. Indeed! OSHA has started expanding its presence. This new Honolulu office will now be able to provide more enforcement in the islands. OSHA's regional administrator in San Francisco, Ken Nishiyama Atha, said that, "With the new area office in Honolulu, we will improve service to workers and...

The United States, Occupational Safety and Health Administration has constantly striven to achieve workplace safety by issuing and enforcing certain standards, policies and regulations. OSHA has now gone one step further by awarding 45 grants, totaling up to a sum of nearly $8 million. Furthermore, it is also important to note that these grants target different sectors. Firstly, $225,000 has been allotted to train workers on heat illness, whereas, $150,000 has been kept aside to train union members on fall protection and $220,000 has been allotted to train nail salon workers. The 45 grants are a part of the Susan Harwood Capacity Building program. More specifically, $150,000 has been handed over to a Washington D.C. roofing company in order to train union members on fall protection. $220,000 has been given to the University of Berkley in order to provide 2-hour training sessions to workers in the restaurant and nail salon industries. Finally, $225,000 has been handed over to a San Fran...

One cannot deny the fact that medical residents do work for longs hours, which in turn invite deadly mistakes. The Federal agency has acknowledged this point and has hence agreed to consider setting limits. Yes! The Occupational Safety and Health Administration have agreed to examine this profession. It is also important to note that OSHA is also going to be considering the long hours put in by truck drivers and pilots. Elaina Tsui is a second-year surgery resident, who works for six days a week and nearly 12 hours a day. With regards to the long working hours, Elaina Tsui had this to say, "It's longer work hours than what most people usually work, but for us, it's a normal work day." She went on to say that, "You are tired. But once it gets busy, you just don't notice it anymore." The Occupational Safety and Health Administration doesn't ever take these concerns lightly. Many people are not aware of this, but OSHA can create industry specific standa...

From the very beginning the United States, Occupational Safety and Health Administration,has constantly striven to control and eliminate workplace hazards, mishaps and fatalities, by issuing and enforcing certain workplace standards and regulations. Recently, several individuals and advocacy organizations have requested that certain regulations ought to be issued, in order to limit the working hours of resident physicians. Mr. David Michaels, the OSHA Administrator, has acknowledged the fact that, worker fatigue and long working hours are still common safety concerns for not only medical residents, but also for every other employee as well. In accordance to the Occupational Safety and Health Organization, a national advocacy organization named Public Citizen, along with other groups have requested that certain legislative actions be taken, with regards to the above mentioned issue. Mr. David Michaels, had this to say, “We are very concerned about medical residents working extremely lon...

An probe has been launched by OSHA, in order to investigate the death of a worker, at the Minnesota Power facility, which is under construction in Schroeder. The Minnesota OSHA investigator was sent to the scene,to study and determine whether any lurking workplace hazards contributed to the power worker's death. An OSHA spokesman, Mr. James Honerman, said that, “We will be working with the employer on-site to piece together what happened,” he further went on to say that, “We’re working with Minnesota Power to determine what events were going on at the work site, the scope of the activity and whether any safety and health training may have been given to employees,” Mr.Honerman, also applauded the Minnesota Power facility, for having a good track record with OSHA. He even stated that, “They’ve been working with us for years to go beyond basic OSHA standards to prevent job-related illnesses and accidents at all their work sites.” In accordance to the Cook County Sheriff’s Department,...

Its not an uncommon fact,but the U.S Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), is a body of the U.S Department of Labor. This agency was established under the Occupational Safety and Health Act,by the Congress of the United States. It was signed by President Richard M. Nixon, on the 29th of December 1970. From the very beginning its mission had been to prevent illnesses, work-related injuries and occupational fatalities, by enforcing and issuing standards and regulations for workplace safety and health. OSHA is headed by the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Labor. The very same OSHA Act, that established OSHA also created the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. NIOSH is an agency that focuses its attention on occupational health and safety. The regulations set by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration covers most private sector workplaces. In 2000, the U.S. Postal Service was the only quasi-governmental entity to fall under the wavelength of the O...

Over the years, Ava Miller along with hundreds of others, have lost several loved ones to workplace fatalities, in the past 4 decades. Their emotional voids have yet to be filled. Yes! Nearly 316 workers have died, whereas 343 were left seriously injured. They carry their scars, in the form of lost limbs or disfigurements. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration have conducted 15,000 inspections, since 1972. Its important to note that, these inspections highlighted nearly 14,844 safety violations. The steel industry is very often fraught with danger. Unfortunately, the industry didn’t seem to do much about prioritizing safety, for according to OSHA inspectors, it recorded the highest number of serious safety violations in the region. The state and federal OSHA inspections have highlighted nearly 1,303 serious safety violations that have specifically occurred in the steel mill and blast furnace category, over the past 37 years. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration...

The Occupational Safety and Health Organization has penalized MDLG for committing nearly 53 safety and health violations. While the OSHA investigations were being carried out,a worker lost his life and another was seriously injured at its Phenix City facility. After this unfortunate incident, OSHA has fined the company a total sum of $439,400. Yes! Before OSHA could even hand over its final review, a worker lost his life after his head was crushed by a motor, that was being hoisted by a forklift. Whereas, another worker was seriously injured after he fell from a height of approximately 20 feet. He broke his neck in this fall. Dr. David Michaels, the chief of OSHA, said that, “Phenix Lumber failed to protect its workers from death and serious injury,” he went on to say that, “Employers are legally bound to provide a safe work environment for their employees. This company has repeatedly failed to do so, costing one worker his life and grievously injuring another. This must stop.” Further...

Yes! What you have heard is true. OSHA has fined, Whitesell Corporation a total sum of $3,071,500. The investigation concluded that Whitesell had committed a staggering number of safety and health violations, 72 to be exact. Primarily, workers and employees were exposed to several amputation hazards. The Secretary of Labor, Hilda Solis, released a statement, which stated that,“Whitesell willfully tampered with the safety mechanisms of its hydraulic forging presses at its Tuscumbia plant to speed up production, resulting in the amputation of a worker’s hand.” Mr. David Michaels, the assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA, even said that, “This employer knowingly exposed these workers to serious injuries,” he further went on to say that, “The objective of OSHA’s actions today is to save the hands, and perhaps the lives, of other workers in the future.” These “willful” safety and health violations, arose from the plant’s failure to utilize, develop and implement tag out procedures, when di...

The contractor that has been conducting the sanitary sewer project in Reading Township, need fret no more, for he has been given a clean bill of safety and health from the U.S, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). The director for OSHA's North Aurora area office, Kathy Webb, announced that, the OSHA inspectors could find no safety violations with regards to this particular project. She even said that, “Whenever we do a trench inspection, we check for everything. She even told the Times that, “"When we go out to a site, we observe what we see on the day of the inspection. If someone sends us a photograph, we can't use those. We use what we see." But it is also important to note that, Webb said that, she would forward those findings to the Peoria office for future inspections. According to Kathy Webb, the OSHA investigators found construction workers lowering boring sheets and sewer pumps in to a boring containment. After the boring sheets and pump were...