When Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis resigned her position, the talk became what might happen to OSHA’s planned Injury/Illness Prevention Standard (I2P2). Secretary Solis had announced this initiative in early 2010. The stated purpose was to require employers to establish a plan that would prevent violations of OSHA standards and that would protect workers from violations of their workplace rights.
A recent ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court means that employers “should not accept an OSHA citation alleging violations more than six months old,” according to two lawyers who specialize in occupational safety and health law.
A worker who was crushed to death by a pavement roller brought on an OSHA investigation that resulted in 18 serious safety violations against Export Fuel Co. in Export, PA.
Construction companies, small companies overrepresented in program
March 1, 2013
Despite some problems, OSHA says its Severe Violator Enforcement Program (SVEP) is “off to a strong start.” That assessment came in a Severe Violator Enforcement Program White Paperissued this week by the agency.
OSHA has cited SER Construction Partners LLC with one willful violation for exposing workers repairing a water line to excavation hazards at its Conroe work site on State Highway 242. OSHA's Houston North Area Office began its December 2012 inspection as part of a national emphasis program on trenching and excavation.
OSHA has cited Watco Mechanical Services, Jordan General Contractors Inc. and JP Electric after a combustible dust flash fire claimed the lives of two workers at a Hockley, Texas work site. Proposed penalties for the three companies total $119,840.
Despite previous violations, a tortilla manufacturer is still failing to provide employees exposed to corrosive chemicals with emergency eyewashes and is still not monitoring them for formaldehyde exposure.
Bacardi Bottling Corp. cited for safety violations
February 13, 2013
OSHA has cited Bacardi Bottling Corp. with 12 alleged safety violations following the death of a 21-year-old temporary worker his first day on the job. Lawrence Daquan "Day" Davis was crushed to death by a palletizer machine at the Jacksonville facility in August 2012.
We’ve all experienced this at one time or another: you point out an unsafe act or safety violation in good faith, only to have the worker shoot back some sarcastic, rude, or juvenile comment.
Aracoma Coal mine had "useless" fire hose, inadequate ventilation
February 8, 2013
The West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals has cleared the way for two miners’ widows to pursue a lawsuit against the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) for its admitted failure to inspect and enforce safety regulations at the Aracoma Coal Company’s Alma Mine #1 in that state.