Tips & Updates about OSHA & Hazwoper Training Courses | Safety Tips

Holly Corp. was recently fined $62,500 for 14 alleged serious violations of federal workplace safety regulations, at its Tulsa unit. The refinery was fined for failing to address a number of workplace hazards including: adequate emergency response, process safety management, ventilation, evacuation procedures and eliminating all potential ignition sources. OSHA began investigating the refinery in September last year. Failure to implement any of OSHA’s regulations to protect employees from all or any workplace hazards is not tolerated by OSHA. The refinery has 15 business days to request a conference and comply or to contest the citations. The refinery employs hundreds of workers who are actively engaged in processing nearly 125,000 barrels of crude oil on a daily basis into diesel, gasoline, jet fuel and other such products. In January last year, a worker was burned when hot water accidentally gushed out of a coke drum.

Recently, OSHA was commended for its efforts by the NAHB (National Association of Home Builders). OSHA has made a decision of withdrawing the interim fall protection guidelines for all residential construction projects that were issued in 1995 and has now decided to revert back to the previous guidelines. Safety at the job site should be the number one concern for builders anywhere. This action taken by OSHA will clarify what builders need to do in order to comply with the OSHA standards and regulations, in an effort to keep the work sites safe. The interim guideline, which was originally intended to be a temporary policy, was first brought about in 1995 in order to allow all employers to use alternative methods of fall protection without having to provide any specific written fall protection plan or to prove that the fall protection systems were not feasible. Before 1995, OSHA had made it compulsory for builders to provide specific fall protection systems for all workers involv...

Recently, the United States, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), issued several notices of unhealthful or unsafe working conditions, to the FAA's Regional Airport, at Mansfield Lahm. A total of 13 safety violations were cited. However, one of the violations was considered as 'serious', because the employers basically failed to provide their employees with a diagram of the designated emergency exist routes. This particular OSHA inspection was conducted on the 15th of June. During the scheduled inspection, the OSHA inspectors found seven other-than-serious, five repeat and one serious safety violation, at the facility. The FAA spokeswoman for the Great Lakes and central regions, Elizabeth Isham Cory said that, "The FAA corrected several of the items during the June inspection”. She further went on to state that, "Other items were corrected immediately afterward.” Some of her other statements are mentioned in the list below: "All items, with th...

Two plumbers were working in a ditch that was near Allen Homes off Blum Street when the water started rushing in. This resulted in a wall of dirt collapsing on them. OSHA is now investigating into the matter. The firefighters were able to successfully save one man. Unfortunately, the other, Jimmy Robles, died. The company, Universal Plumbing, is the one that is responsible for the trench collapse. However, it has not yet released a statement about what really happened or if the workers had followed the precautionary measures during the collapse. According to the representative of Universal Plumbing, the company is still preparing a statement. Mark Bowen, the Richmond County Chief Deputy Coroner, says that the body was recovered from about six feet underground. As per OSHA regulations, it is necessary to use steel boxes and reinforcements on trenches that are deeper than five feet. “Before you go in there or send someone down, think of sending your child in there. You never put anybody ...

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, ...

OSHA(Occupational Safety and Health Administration) has found that the Iowa Interstate Railroad has violated the Federal Rail Safety Act. The Iowa Interstate Railroad was found to have retaliated against a train conductor because he reported a workplace injury. According to OSHA, Iowa Interstate Railroad will have to make amends for the conductor. In January 2009, an employee was issued a notification of formal investigation by Iowa Interstate Railroad for reporting a work injury and also retaliated against the employee by disciplining him in the form of a letter of censure. The employee filed a whistleblower complaint alleging that the railroad had retaliated against him for reporting his work injury. After getting the complaint, Whistleblower Protection Program of OSHA conducted an investigation under the Federal Rail Safety Act, and found merit to the complaint and ordered relief. Michael G. Connors, OSHA regional administrator in Chicago, said, "An employer does not have the ...

Oil spill in Mexico has become a threat to the vacationers who usually enjoyed the fun and sun in the lovely Gulf Coast near Destin. Officials fear that this time there may be an economic disaster due to the oil spill accident. But, though people have seen a few tar balls show up, it is disclosed that the world famous sugar sands are largely pristine in Destin and are still open for business. Dennis McKinnon, the Escambia County Chairman of the Tourism Commission said, "The perception that everybody has is: No way am I going to the beaches of Florida right now because if I get in the water I'm going to get tar all over me. And it just isn't happening today.” But according to the coast guard, nothing like this will happen at least for the next few days, as they have not found anything significant while they were within three miles offshore with skimmer and cleaning vessels. Roger Dow of the U.S. Travel Association said, "We have a reality crisis as to what is actually...

Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Misdea Enterprises LLC, a Weymouth, Mass., masonry contractor because the contractor was involved in willful violation for the safety and the health of the workers. The contractor did not pay attention to the workers safety and an employee fell down from 30 feet while climbing a scaffold in Brookline, Mass. For this willful violation, OSHA has proposed $61,600. OSHA had done inspection on that site and found that there was no ladder in the scaffold. The safety and health of the workers was a big question in that site. There was no fall protection while working on the scaffold, scaffold was not fully planked, the workers were threatened by electrocution, and many more. The company was not complying with OSHA regulations. This is the duty of the employers to provide fall protection for each employee on a scaffold more than 10 feet above a lower level. In this case, the height was 30 feet and still the employer did not provide an...

at Del Monte Farm Shop in Mendota employees work hundreds of days without incident but when there occurs a few minor injuries in 2006 erased the 742 consecutive days they had earned, they decided to improve their own record by earning a top award from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration. A safety committee consisted of the men and women at the farm shop reviewed safety regulations and began implementing new procedures that finally led them to the distinction as one of only a handful of Illinois companies to achieve OSHA’s Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program award. SHARP certification required website visits and reviews of safety procedures along with an increasing number of days without incident. Full-time and the seasonal employees fine-tuned their safety procedures and policies to fulfill all of the required OSHA regulations along with a goal of zero lost time days. By April 30, 2010, the new procedures not only made a new recor...

Del Monte Foods' Mendota Farm Operations Group has been awarded with OSHA Safety and Health Designation. The U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recognized Del Monte Foods' Mendota, IL Farm Operations group for its world class safety operations and culture. Del Monte's Farm Operations group was awarded a Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Award Program (SHARP) designation sponsored by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. The SHARP award recognizes those employers who operate an ideal safety and health management system. As a result of the SHARP designation, Del Monte's Farm Operations group will now get a two-year work site certification that demonstrates OSHA's confidence in the group's safety operations. In year 2009, the Farm Operations management team, which includes both seasonal and full-time employees, demonstrated safety excellence by expanding its safety program to further increas...

OSHA (U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration) has proposed penalties $45,775 and cited Okeelanta Corp. in South Bay, Fla for repeated and serious violations of OSHA rules. The cited company has exposed workers to lacerations and amputation injuries. OSHA's Site-Specific Targeting Program incited the inspection done that payed more attention in social control efforts on comprehensive safety inspections where the highest rates of injuries and illnesses occur. The inspection found that Okeelanta has repeated violation that done before also. For this repeated violation, OSHA has proposed penalty of $12,500. The inspection has disclosed the violation includes failing to enclose sprocket wheels and chains on the specific machinery and also exposing employees to rotating parts and pinch points. If an employer previously was cited for the same violation of any regulation, standard, rule or order in federal enforcement states during the last three year...

OSHA has cited penalties for many industries and companies as because of violation of the OSHA rules and regulations. The rules and regulations are created so that the accidents, deaths and other work related problems reduce. But, many times it is seen that the companies do not comply with the rules and regulation of the OSHA and thus invite many catastrophe to themselves. The employees become the worst victim of such violation. Questions arise, why the employers do not comply with OSHA regulations that are a mandate to them? The definite answer will be that the industry owners see only the self-benefit and they deny the safety and health of the workers that work in their company. Recently, OSHA has proposed with $45,500 penalties for exposing workers to dangerous heights without proper fall protection to the Spieker Co., a general construction contractor based in Perrysburg. A construction site inspection was done on March at a high school in Delta, Ohio where it was found that Spiek...

Owing to the big catastrophe of Gulf of Mexico oil leak today, the need of Post-Emergency Spilled Oil Response Training is highly required. For those interested in participating in shoreline clean up, Health, Safety and Environmental Training has been provided for them. The safety training is basically fit for purpose basis for volunteers, contractors or vessel owners. The training has been prepared and provided by Texas Engineering Extension Service (TEEX) after it was reviewed and approved by BP, OSHA and the the US Coastal Guard personnel. Post-Emergency Spilled Oil Response Training is ideal for those assigned in the Vessel of Opportunity program or registered a a contractor participating in clean up. For non-contaminated beach clean up volunteers, they will have to receive a basic OSHA safety training, BP health and safety and environment orientation enforced by the Coast Guard. Those who are interested in volunteering can contact the BP volunteer hot line. If you stay in coastal ...

Richard Teets at the Association for Iron and Steel Technology (AIST) conference and exhibition in Pittsburgh said,"There is just as much appreciation of safe practices, but the verification has changed. The past administration had greater emphasis on voluntary programs and employee involvement. The current one has more of a 'prove it, we don't believe it, we need to confirm it' attitude." Richard Teets is the president and chief operating officer of steel operations at Steel Dynamics Inc. (SDI), Fort Wayne. US president Obama has introduced new rules regarding federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). And many of the administrators like Teets are not convinced with this new rules. They are view that offering incentives for safety because he thinks that incentives may incite the workers not to report incidents as to get the offering bonus. Teets said that employees like SDI employees must have to report an accident but can not cite two incident...

OSHA has cited Ceva Freight LLC, a logistics and freight management solutions company for national and multi-national companies in Elk Grove, and found the company full of alleged, serious, repeat and other-than-serious violations of federal workplace safety standards. So, OSHA has proposed with $64,000 in penalties against all the reasons they have found there. In January 2010 inspection, OSHA has already cited the same company with two serious violations and for that OSHA has proposed a $10,000 penalty. The company on that time was cited for not ensuring industrial trucks properly inspected before use and for failing to provide legible name plates on the trucks. According to OSHA regulation, that is a serious violation as because the result of such mistake can take many workers life and at the same time it is a known factor to them. OSHA has found out two repeat violations at Ceva Freight LLC and so again proposed a $50,000. This time their fault was they fail to provide proper load...

OSHA certification has significant role in improving any business success. If a businessman does not comply with OSHA compliance, then he may get threats in his business progress. That is the reason why you want to be equipped with all the knowledge regarding OSHA so that you can prepare well for what might happen and able to handle issues of workplace safety. If you are caught violating any OSHA regulation, You may have to face the worst possible condition. You should never count OSHA compliance as an optional one. Though OSHA does not cover some areas, even then too you should go for it for your bright future. If you have OSHA certification of getting OSHA safety training, then this is sure that any company will give you the first chance to join them. The reason is simple. That company will not have to provide OSHA safety training for you and as a trained employee, you can help them in many cases regarding safety and health of the worker. Employers need employees with better skills...

The contribution of OSHA towards the welfare of the workers who work in the construction and general industries is known to all. OSHA regulations have changed the prevailing rules of the industries that were not convenient for them in many ways. Still, OSHA has been searching new ways of effective protective ways that can help the workers well. Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) is one of the initiatives of OSHA that goes beyond the requirements of OSHA standard. Voluntary Protection Program is designed to establish a relationship between the employees, employers and OSHA that can be beneficial for both the workers and their employers. This program recognizes the outstanding achievement of the workers and others who have successfully incorporated safety and health programs into their management system. Another objective of this program is that it inspires other workers to achieve the finest safety and health results by doing the a little effort. All the employees are not collected for ...

Many people want to know about the need of OSHA regulations. OSHA has done a lot in the field of safety and health of the workers work in construction and general industries. The regulations of OSHA are designed to meet the problems of workers. Before there was no such system of keeping record, do reporting and posting of any accident that occur in the industries. But OSHA regulations have included all these issues and they have adopted a very effective way to bring the safety come true. OSHA training has included the regulations in the courses so that the workers and the employers can know well all the regulations. OSHA believes if employees and employers of construction and general industries who know OSHA regulations and its aim then they surely comply with the regulations. OSHA regulations include specifications regarding productions, disclosure of information about the material used in the industry, security of individual privacy, inspection of sites, and record keeping of acciden...

OSHA has done a great tryst to meet the problems of workers in the construction and general industries. The workers frequently have met many accidents at their working places that cause injury and even death to them. The various programs and trainings introduced by OSHA have taken away many problems among them. The employers just employ workers to work in their industries and they do not take proper care of them. This does not only harm the workers but the development of the industries also. Getting an experienced worker is not an easy task and if the experienced workers have to go away for getting injured then the industry will go under less productivity as well as the workers themselves. OSHA has set up many courses and trainings so that the accidents and injuries in the working site reduce and the working environment enhances. Now the conception of the workers matches the OSHA regulations. The workers themselves are eager to know about the regulations of OSHA and also get the OSHA s...

Workers have faced many problems in the construction and general industries for ages. OSHA has done a lot by introducing OSHA rules, OSHA regulations and many kind of OSHA safety training to reduce such problems. Though all the problems are not solved completely, still to a great extent workers have got relief. The most regretting thing is that when one of the problems of workers is solved, another arises. Recently many news have come out about combustible dust explosions on the working sites of construction and general industries. Workers on those sites are mostly affected and the environment of the working sites is destroyed. OSHA has started Combustible Dust National Emphasis Program (NEP) since October 2007. It has indicated a strapping require for a combustible dust standard. Combustible dust explosion causes due to soil particles, chunks, fibers, flakes or chips that can reason fire or explosion under certain suspended conditions. Other components that ignite fire are wood, rubbe...