On January 6, 2016, OSHA announced that it would not issue citations under the standard to residential construction if the employer is making good faith efforts to comply with the training requirements of the standard.
With over one million workers entering confined spaces each year, it’s essential that safety managers invest in developing a confined space entry (CSE) plan of action, which can help identify and alleviate present risks.
A Pennsylvania company willfully exposed its workers to confined space and fall hazards, according to OSHA, which has assessed US Environmental Inc. proposed penalties of $333,756 for a dozen safety violations.
The Downingtown company is an integrated industrial energy services firm that serves the energy, petroleum, natural gas, petro-chemical, power, chemical, manufacturing and engineering sectors.
Investigators inspected the facility on May 31, 2017, and found that the company failed to implement rescue procedures for employees in confined spaces; provide protective equipment when working in confined spaces; and provide employees with fall protection training and equipment.
OSHA and Marshall Pottery, Inc. in Marshall, Texas have reached a settlement agreement including a penalty of $545,160, after the death of an assistant plant manager.
On April 16, 2017, investigators determined that the manager was servicing a kiln and became trapped inside when it activated.
Severe burns to a worker have resulted in safety citations being issued to a Montana general contractor and a Wyoming contractor, according to OSHA, which is proposing $249,516 against the two companies.
On May 5, 2017, a Coleman Construction Inc. employee suffered third-degree burns when compressed oxygen inside an underground duct caused a fire. The subcontractor was cited for failing to provide mechanical ventilation or an underground air monitoring system, and failing to report the hospitalization of the burned employee in a timely manner. The company faces $189,762 in penalties.
Whether a sanitation worker loses consciousness due to oxygen-deficient atmospheres during a routine maintenance check, or a firefighter is overwhelmed by toxic gases during a rescue situation, respiratory protection is paramount to any confined space entry.
Skanska’s Construction Work Plan tool (CWP) is a Windows-based excel spreadsheet that enables efficient, effective, and consistent planning for construction work activities. The tool has been used by thousands of Skanska team members all over the country. The CWP marries safety planning with lean methodologies.
A Camden County, New Jersey aluminum manufacturing company with a long history of noncompliance with OSHA standards has once again been cited by the agency – this time for 51 safety and health violations, with proposed penalties of $1,922,895.
Trying to decide if you need an on-site rescue team for your confined space work? What does the law say? OSHA regulation 29 CFR 1910.146 outlines several requirements of a rescue team that include: proficiency with skills, equipment, CPR/first-aid certification, etc.
