Occupational Safety

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Last week’s decision by OSHA to cite the producers of “Midnight Rider” for willful and serious violations shows that tougher penalties are needed to prevent workplace deaths, according to the National Council of Occupational Safety and Health (National COSH).

Two recent cases of OSHA enforcement illustrate how workplace violence can pose a threat to workers in vastly different industries. Corizon Health Inc., which provides medical, dental and psychiatric services to inmates at the Rikers Island correctional facility in New York City, was cited by OSHA for knowingly failing to protect its employees adequately against workplace violence and assault.

The American Society of Safety Engineers Foundation will award a three-year, $300,000 grant in 2015 to a researcher who best describes how a proposed study will mitigate the risks of injury and illness in the workplace. The grant represents the largest award given in the Foundation’s 24-year history.

Governor John R. Kasich and the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) announced a $1 billion rebate to Ohio’s private and public sector workers’ compensation customers, as well as a major new investment in worker safety research and training.

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.