Weekly news round-up
Laser danger for aircraft, a tax meant to reduce obesity and trenching hazards were among the top EHS-related stories featured on ISHN.com this week.
Bosco Custom Homes exposes workers to dangerous fall hazards
OSHA finds lack of fall protection at 3 residential job sites
November 7, 2014
Bosco Custom Homes Inc. has again been cited for failure to provide fall protection to workers on three separate residential framing projects. OSHA has cited the company for 30 violations, including three willful, 20 serious and seven repeat safety violations. Proposed penalties total $174,240.
OSHA wants input on electrical safety standards
November 6, 2014
OSHA is seeking public comments on its request for an extension of the information collection requirements contained in the Electrical Standards for Construction (29 CFR part 1926, subpart K) and the Electrical Standards for General Industry (29 CFR part 1910, subpart S).
Employee fatally injured after being caught in machinery at Chicago bakery
November 6, 2014
A 31-year-old engineer was fatally injured on May 27, 2014, when his head was struck by an unguarded rotating gear arm on a piece of bakery equipment at Alpha Baking Co. Inc. OSHA has cited the Chicago baking plant for six serious safety violations following the tragic incident.
Lasers force Coast Guard heli pilots to abort missions
November 6, 2014
In two recent incidents in Michigan, a person or persons on the ground pointed green lasers at Coast Guard helicopters, endangering the flights and forcing crews to return immediately to base.
Se habla español in construction industry
November 6, 2014
With two million Latinos – mostly foreign-born – employed in the U.S. construction industry, the Center for Construction Research and Training (CPWR) has translated its image-driven Hazard Alerts (on topics like silica, trenches, and aerial lifts) into Spanish. The eye-catching Alerts are available for free download.
Alaska state trooper helicopter crash caused by bad weather, department’s “punitive culture”
November 5, 2014
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has determined that the March 30, 2013 crash of an Alaska Department of Public Safety helicopter was caused by the pilot’s decision to continue flying into deteriorating weather conditions as well as the department’s “punitive culture and inadequate safety management.”
Judge upholds citations for bloodborne pathogen, lead exposure hazards at NJ company
November 5, 2014
Drivers and loading-dock workers at UniFirst Corp. were exposed to hazards that involved bloodborne pathogens and lead at its West Caldwell, New Jersey, facility, according to an administrative law judge from the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.
Berkeley, Cal. passes tax on soda, other sugary drinks
November 5, 2014
Berkeley, California became the first city in the nation to pass a tax on sugary drinks – part of an effort to combat obesity in the U.S., particularly among children. A similar effort failed in San Francisco.
FAA revises icing standards for new transport airplanes
Goal: To fly safely in icing conditions
November 5, 2014
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a final rule that broadens the coverage of its icing certification standards. The updated standards require U.S. manufacturers to show that transport airplanes can operate safely in freezing drizzle or freezing rain, conditions that constitute the icing environment known as “supercooled large drops” (SLD).
Winter months hold highest risk for carbon monoxide poisoning
NFPA and CPSC roll out carbon monoxide alarm safety toolkit
November 4, 2014
As temperatures drop and consumers begin cranking up their heating systems, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) have launched a new online toolkit to help local fire departments educate the public about the associated risks of carbon monoxide (CO) in the months ahead.
Protecting workers who are not in health care from Ebola
November 4, 2014
While most workers in the U.S. are unlikely to be exposed to the Ebola virus or come into contact with people who are ill with Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever (EHF), many employers across a variety of industries are concerned about protecting their personnel from the virus.
Trenching hazards, failure to pay OSHA fines land company owner in the slammer
Long history of noncompliance
November 4, 2014
An Illinois business owner was taken into custody by a U.S. Marshall Oct. 27 after he failed to correct serious trenching hazards and pay the OSHA penalties that had been assessed against him.
Focus is on protecting human health, the environment
November 4, 2014
As part of President Obama’s Climate Action Plan, the EPA last week released plans for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and preparing for climate change impacts such as flooding, sea level rise, severe weather and temperature extremes.
Panel participants needed for review of industry standards for environmental monitoring equipment
November 3, 2014
The International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA) is proposing to reaffirm two industry standards for gas and vapor monitoring equipment. ANSI/ISEA 102-1990 (R2009) American National Standard for Gas Detector Tube Units—Short Term Type for Toxic Gases and Vapors in Working Environments established the performance requirements for gas detector tube units and components, which detect flammable, combustible, oxygen depleting and toxic gases.
BNSF Railway worker disciplined for taking a sick half-day
November 3, 2014
BNSF Railway Company violated the Federal Railroad Safety Act when it disciplined a sick worker whose doctor told him to take the rest of the day off, according to OSHA.
Zip-line worker on the job for three days falls to her death
November 3, 2014
A new employee of a Maui zip-line course was trying to capture a customer coming in from the previous platform when she fell 125 feet into a ravine. The zip-line customer's momentum pulled both Patricia Rabellizsa and another worker off the platform.
Illinois trucking company repeatedly violated safety standards
Hillside, Illinois, truck terminal faces $145,420 in penalties for violations
November 3, 2014
Central Transport LLC has been cited for 16 safety and health violations, including five repeat, one willful and two serious safety violations, at its trucking terminal in Hillside. An OSHA inspection found repeat and willful violations that involved defective powered industrial vehicles and lack of fall protection. Proposed penalties total $145,420.
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