AIHA opposes efforts to allow younger workers in dangerous industry
August 12, 2014
The American Industrial Hygiene Association® (AIHA) has issued letters to Congress in opposition of new legislation that would exempt certain 16- and 17-year-old children employed in logging or mechanized operations from child labor laws.
1. You say Cal/OSHA is heading in "new direction" due to the political preferences of Cal/OSHA's overseers. Describe the components of this "new direction." Why do you oppose it? Actually the term “new direction” was used by then-Labor Secretary Marty Morgenstern and Department of Industrial Relations Christine Baker in explaining why they were dismissing then Cal/OSHA Chief Ellen Widess via a forced resignation in September 2013.
Moving construction vehicles and equipment pose a significant risk of injury and death to workers on roadway construction worksites – risks that are heightened by poor visibility and day-to-day changes in the layout of the site.
Home Depot USA Inc. has been cited for six, including two repeat, one willful and three serious safety violations, at its home improvement store on North Kimball Avenue in Chicago. The repeat and willful violations involved lack of training and maintenance for powered industrial vehicles.
"Employers and cell tower owners and operators must make sure workers are properly trained and protected, said OSHA chief Dr. David Michaels in issuing a directive to keep communication tower workers safe. The directive follows an alarming increase in preventable injuries and fatalities at communication tower work sites, according to OSHA.
From The West Virginia Record: Use of temporary employees has become common. Work injuries to temps is due in part to a lack of communication and confusion regarding the responsibilities of the host employer and the temporary employer regarding the health and safety of temporary employees.
Following the collapse of a Clarksburg communication tower in February 2014 that seriously injured two and claimed the lives of two employees and a volunteer firefighter, S and S Communication Specialists Inc. has been cited for two serious workplace safety violations.
Memo reminds compliance officers that temps are at increased risk of injury, death
August 4, 2014
OSHA has issued a policy background memo to its field staff as part of its focus on preventing work-related injuries and illnesses among temporary workers. In the memo, the agency reminds OSHA field staff of the agency's long standing general enforcement policy regarding temporary workers.
Lack of respiratory protection made tank rupture a fatal event
August 4, 2014
Following the death of a truck driver at Midwest Farmers Cooperative's grain handling facility in Tecumseh, OSHA has cited the company for 12 serious safety violations.
Falls in construction and communications tower work, robot and drilling safety and coal miners and the coal industry form an unlikely alliance against an EPA regulation. Those were among the top EHS-related stories featured this week on ISHN.com.