OSHA Quick Takes
QuickTakes 4/16/2012
- Bartlett Grain in Atchison, Kan., cited for willful and serious violations after 6 die, 2 injured in grain elevator explosion
- Delta Air Lines signs agreement with OSHA on seat belt compliance measures to protect airline industry workers, OSHA also issues hazard alert to other airlines urging compliance
- OSHA seeks applications for $1.2 million in Susan Harwood grants, will host webinar on April 18 for potential applicants
- OSHA announces new National Emphasis Program for Nursing and Residential Care Facilities
- OSHA seeks applications from organizations interested in becoming OSHA Training Institute Education Centers
- OSHA will hold a meeting of the Federal Advisory Council on Occupational Safety and Health: Six new members appointed
- OSHA will hold meeting of the Advisory Committee on Construction Safety and Health
- Researchers point to drop in grain entrapments in 2011, credit OSHA's increased enforcement and outreach
- California study reveals nail salon workers may be at risk for exposure to hazardous chemicals in nail polish and nail care products
- OSHA orders Jersey Window Factory & Building Supply in Newark, NJ, to reinstate whistleblower following investigation
- Judge finds All-Feed Processing & Packaging in Alpha, Ill., in contempt for not allowing OSHA inspection; company ordered to pay nearly $42,000 in fines
- OSHA cites Alabama and Illinois employers for combustible dust and other hazards
- OSHA cites Bath Iron Works for safety violations, Maine shipbuilder faces more than $171,000 in fines for fall, other hazards
- OSHA reminds employers to post injury/illness summaries
- OSHA to host, participate in Workers' Memorial Day events around the country
- Prestigious occupational health award goes to OSHA's Cindy Coe
- DOL kickoff event marks start of NAOSH week
- New OSHA publications now available for order in Spanish and other languages
- Job openings
QuickTakes 3/22/2012 (Special GHS Issue)
- Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis Announces Updates to OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard
- About OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard (HCS)
- The Right to Understand
- What is the Globally Harmonized System (GHS)?
- Why Modify HCS?
- Benefits of Harmonization
- Changes to Anticipate
- What Do the New Pictograms Look Like?
- What Employers Need to Do and When (Effective Dates)
- Educational Materials on HCS and GHS Now Available
- For Additional Information
QuickTakes 4/02/2012
- OSHA revises Hazard Communication Standard
- OSHA seeks comments on how to prevent worker injuries and deaths from reinforcing concrete activities and vehicle backovers
- OSHA issues memo on safety incentive and disincentive policies and practices
- Grain employer sentenced for asphyxiation death of worker
- OSHA reminds employers to post injury/illness summaries
- OSHA finds two railroads in violation of the Federal Railroad Safety Act for retaliating against workers for reporting an injury in New York, Connecticut and Idaho
- Cal/OSHA issues citations to Community Recycling & Resource Recovery totaling $166,890 following two worker deaths
- OSHA cites poultry processor KD Acquisition for 11 safety violations at Gainesville, Ga., plant; proposes more than $187,000 in fines
- OSHA cites commercial construction employers in New Hampshire and Wisconsin for failing to protect workers from falls
- OSHA cites Willkomm Excavating & Grading of Union Grove, Wis., for failing to protect workers from trench collapse
- OSHA reaches out to employers with high injury and illness rates
- OSHA reaccredited as an authorized continuing education provider
- DOL commemorates 101st anniversary of Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire
- OSHA, American Society of Safety Engineers renew Alliance to promote best practices to prevent worker exposures to health, physical hazards
- New California PELs to better protect workers from hazardous chemicals
- Video PSAs alert young workers to on-the-job hazards
- All about OSHA now available for order
- OSHA co-sponsors safety days across the United States
- Job openings
QuickTakes 3/16/2012
- DOL sues U.S. Postal Service and Florida school for violating whistleblower protections
- Occupational exposure to diesel exhaust multiplies risk of lung cancer for miners
- Construction superintendent sentenced for willful disregard of OSHA safety standards following worker's death
- OSHA's Free On-Site Consultation Program helps technology recycler protect workers by addressing and correcting root causes
- Brazilian Blowout manufacturer agrees to compensate salon workers exposed to formaldehyde hazards
- Target protects factory workers from silicosis by no longer carrying sandblasted denim
- OSHA reminds employers to post injury/illness summaries
- OSHA cites Westinghouse plant in Newington, N.H., for inadequate safeguards against hexavalent chromium
- Site-Specific Targeting Program inspections result in OSHA citations for employers in Texas and Ohio
- OSHA cites Falls Stamping and Welding in Cleveland for workplace violations including lockout/tagout; proposed penalties exceed $124,000
- OSHA establishes local emphasis program to protect workers on Wisconsin dairy farms from common hazards
- OSHA compliance assistance follows devastating storms in the Midwest
- Assistant Secretary for OSHA addresses United Steelworkers convention on worker safety
- OSHA and the Society for Chemical Hazard Communication renew Alliance to protect workers from exposure to chemical hazards
- OSHA co-sponsors safety days across the United States
- Job openings
QuickTakes 2/15/2012
- OSHA's free On-site Consultation Program helps fund innovative safety training center in Maine
- OSHA extends temporary enforcement measures in residential construction
- OSHA cites grain company after 2 teenage workers suffer leg amputations at Kremlin, Okla., facility
- OSHA proposes $365,500 in fines to Wal-Mart for repeat and serious safety and health hazards at Rochester, N.Y., store
- IOSHA cites 3 employers following investigations after fatal injuries at 2011 Indiana State Fair
- OSHA proposes $169,000 in fines to Hartford, Conn., contractor for repeatedly exposing workers to cave-in hazards
- OSHA cites Beasley Forest Products in Georgia for combustible dust and other hazards; $78,000 proposed in penalties
- Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis promotes international worker rights through new collaborations
- New Mexico OSHA and Oil & Gas Association announce collaborative effort to increase worker safety
- New fact sheet provides information on protecting shipyard workers from eye injuries during welding and cutting operations
- Nurses' miscarriages linked to chemicals at work
- NIOSH webinar today on workers' compensation among health care workers
- OSHA alerts workers to falls and other hazards when removing snow from rooftops
- Job openings
QuickTakes 2/1/2012
- New RAND study on the effectiveness of California's Injury and Illness Prevention Program rule
- OSHA reminds employers to post injury/illness summaries beginning Feb. 1
- New OSHA training videos in English and Spanish help educate workers on respirator use
- California Attorney General announces settlement requiring honest advertising over Brazilian Blowout products
- OSHA orders AirTran Airways to reinstate pilot and pay more than $1 million in back wages and damages
- DOL files complaint to require DeMoulas Super Markets to address hazards at Market Basket stores in Massachusetts and New Hampshire
- Owner of N.H. gunpowder plant faces criminal charges after 2010 explosion that killed two workers
- Cal/OSHA Issues $256,445 in citations to warehouse operators
- OSHA cites Jennie-O Turkey Store for 11 safety violations after amputation of worker's arm at Barron, Wis., processing facility
- OSHA cites Illinois-based Growmark with 5 safety violations for failing to protect grain bin workers at Ixonia, Wis., facility
- Administrative law judge orders Newport, Del.-based Daisy Construction to pay $59,000 for willful trenching violations
- OSHA schedules meeting of the Maritime Advisory Committee for Occupational Safety and Health
- OSHA and the American Pipeline Contractors Association renew Alliance to protect the safety and health of workers in the pipeline industry
- New OSHA worker educational publication on protection from noise in construction
- OSHA educational fact sheets provide information on preventing falls in residential construction
- OSHA publishes new fact sheet on filing whistleblower complaints under Sarbanes Oxley Act
- Job openings
QuickTakes 1/15/2012
- OSHA publishes Injury and Illness Prevention Programs White Paper
- The high costs of falls in construction for employers
- OSHA orders Union Pacific Railroad Co. to reinstate and pay more than $300,000 to terminated whistleblower
- OSHA proposes more than $1 million in fines to Houston, Texas, employer for willful and serious violations
- Grain company fined nearly $100,000 for exposing workers to unsafe conditions
- OSHA posts Summary Report of Stakeholder Meeting on Preventing Occupational Hearing Loss
- OSHA Web page offers information to protect workers during winter storm response and recovery operations
- OSHA directive continues targeted inspection program for protecting federal workers
- New evaluation of OSHA effectiveness: Enforcement inspections and safety consultation visits effective in reducing compensable workers' compensation claims rates
- ACCSH and NACOSH make recommendations to OSHA
- OSHA announces new online Outreach Training Program providers
- Scrap metal processor reduces workplace injuries and illnesses with help of OSHA's free On-site Consultation Service
- Indiana Safety & Health Expo and Conference to be held in March
- Nebraska VPP Caucus shares best practices to promote continuous improvement in workplace safety and health
- Duke University Web page provides information to prevent worker injuries from nail guns
- Job openings
QuickTakes 12/15/2011
- OSHA continues to cite beauty salons and manufacturers for formaldehyde exposure from some hair smoothing products
- OSHA launches new hair salon Web page
- MSHA cites corporate culture as root cause of Upper Big Branch Mine disaster
- OSHA improves "It's the Law" poster Web page to make it more accessible
- OSHA settles litigation against grain bin operator following preventable suffocation deaths of two teen workers
- OSHA inspector prevents potentially fatal fall
- D.C. Circuit court upholds OSHA's multi-employer citation policy
- OSHA publishes Direct Final Rule on Acetylene Standard
- OSHA fines Liberty, Texas, manufacturer Boomerang Tube more than $400,000 following severe injuries to three workers
- OSHA cites Seminole, Okla., meat processing plant for exposing workers to falls and other workplace hazards
- Waymar Construction Co. in Shelby, Ohio, cited for child labor and safety violations after 16-year-old injured on job site
- OSHA's free On-site Consultation program helps small businesses improve workplace safety and health
- Study finds investing in occupational health "best practices" improves outcomes for injured workers
- Oregon construction safety summit to be held in January
- OSHA celebrates 40 years of helping to ensure healthier workers, safer workplaces and a stronger America
- Job openings
- Season's Greetings!
QuickTakes 12/1/2011
- OSHA announces winners of "Picture It: Safe Workplaces for Everyone" photo contest
- OSHA issues new National Emphasis Program for chemical facilities
- Article highlights positive impact of OSHA's Susan Harwood Training Grant on worker safety in metalcasting facilities
- New tire charts will help workers safely service single-piece and multi-piece rim wheels
- OSHA orders trucking company to reinstate whistleblower and pay back wages and damages
- OSHA files whistleblower lawsuit against medical clinic for firing employee who reported hazards
- Cable manufacturer fined nearly $180,000 for exposing workers to electrical, chemical, mechanical, fire and exit hazards
- OSHA fines firearms manufacturer $170,000 for exposing workers to toxic substances and other hazards
- NACOSH and ACCSH to hold December meetings in Washington, DC
- Employers get help from OSHA's free On-site Consultation Program: Worker safety and health improves
- Oregon OSHA wins award for efforts to inform the public about formaldehyde hazards from hair products
- Department of Transportation unveils 'OMG' PSA to warn teens about the dangers of distracted driving
- OSHA celebrates 40 years of helping to ensure healthier workers, safer workplaces and a stronger America
- Job openings
QuickTakes 11/15/2011
- Michaels issues statement on increase of nonfatal occupational injuries among health care workers
- Retailers can prevent holiday sales events tragedies through safe crowd management
- OSHA educational videos show how to protect workers from construction hazards
- OSHA receives international award for public awareness campaign on heat illness prevention
- OSHA seeks public comments on regulations protecting whistleblowers who report financial fraud
- Michaels tells National Safety Council: OSHA standards save lives, spur business innovation
- Top 10 workplace safety and health OSHA violations for 2011
- OSHA holds conversation with stakeholders on preventing occupational hearing loss
- FACOSH will meet in December to advise OSHA on federal worker safety and health issues
- Pet food company fined more than $750,000 for exposing workers to combustible dust and other hazards
- Food manufacturer fined more than $400,000 for exposing workers to noise and machinery hazards
- FACOSH recommends safety and health training for federal workers
- OSHA's free On-site Consultation program helps small businesses improve workplace safety and health
- Wyoming OSHA proposes changes to rules on workplace safety in oil and gas industry
- OSHA celebrates 40 years of helping to ensure healthier workers, safer workplaces and a stronger America
- Job openings
QuickTakes 11/1/2011
- Bureau of Labor Statistics releases workplace injury and illness data for 2010
- OSHA publishes new and updated materials on worker safety and health
- Blog: Employers must neither require nor condone workers texting while driving
- Chemical exposure related to bathtub refinishing results in 13 worker deaths
- NIOSH predicts shortage of qualified occupational safety and health professionals
- OSHA forms Alliance to help protect restaurant workers
- Supermarket chain fined nearly $600,000 after failing to ensure injured worker received proper medical attention
- Grain handling company fined nearly $260,000 after worker is engulfed in grain bin
- OSHA citations and fines upheld against contractor for cave-in hazards
- OSHA appoints new chairman to its construction advisory committee
- New study shows increased cancer risk among nylon flock workers
- OSHA issues new guidelines for inspecting pyrotechnics facilities
- California OSHA offers new and revised safety and health resources
- Oregon to host pulp and paper industry safety conference
- Washington DOSH study shows inspections improve safety and save money
- OSHA celebrates 40 years of helping to ensure healthier workers, safer workplaces and a stronger America
- Job openings
QuickTakes 10/17/2011
- OSHA to host stakeholder conversation on occupational hearing loss
- Michaels testifies before Congress about OSHA's success protecting America's workers and businesses
- Farmer cooperative reaches $550,000 settlement with OSHA to improve grain bin safety training and abate hazards
- Web page provides information on preventing the spread of seasonal flu in the workplace
- OSHA publishes new educational materials to help protect workers from laboratory hazards
- New small businesses document explains OSHA's respiratory protection standard
- Ordering OSHA publications
- New eTool provides information on the safe use of hanging scaffolding in shipyard employment
- OSHA settles case against air-conditioning company for violating worker's whistleblower protection rights
- Barge facility fined more than $220,000 after two workers are killed in fire
- Recycling company fined more than $180,000 after worker is killed in refuse sorting machine
- Man who extorted tens of thousands of dollars from New York City construction sites receives jail term
- State Plans in Michigan and Hawaii turn over protection of certain workers to federal OSHA
- Material handling company achieves safety excellence with help from OSHA's free On-site Consultation Program
- OSHA celebrates 40 years of helping to ensure healthier workers, safer workplaces and a stronger America
- Job openings
QuickTakes 10/03/2011
- OSHA updates hazard alert on formaldehyde dangers to hair salon owners and workers
- OSHA issues updated Whistleblower Investigations Manual
- New guidance document aims to help employers prevent nail gun injuries
- Preventing worker deaths from trench collapses is goal of new OSHA publications
- OSHA extends comment period on proposed revisions to the occupational injury and illness tracking and reporting requirements
- OSHA seeks stakeholder input on agency training program
- New Web page provides safety and health training resources for employers and workers
- Asbestos contractor sentenced to six years in prison for violating Clean Air Act and lying to OSHA
- Fall Protection: New compliance assistance factsheets provide information for preventing fatal falls in residential construction
- Trailer manufacturer fined nearly $1 million for failing to protect workers from serious safety and health hazards
- Company ordered to pay $500,000 for violating worker's whistleblower protection rights
- OSHA seeks member nominations for advisory groups on national and federal worker occupational safety and health
- Maritime advisory committee provides OSHA with recommendations at recent meeting
- Safety video contest opens to Oregon students
- Fiberglass company achieves safety excellence with help from OSHA's free On-site Consultation Program
- OSHA convenes roundtable of Alliance partners in the construction industry
- OSHA celebrates 40 years of helping to ensure healthier workers, safer workplaces and a stronger America
- Job openings
QuickTakes 9/15/2011
- OSHA awards $10.7 million in safety and health training grants
- OSHA issues compliance directive to address workplace violence
- OSHA acts to protect salon workers from exposure to hair-smoothing products containing formaldehyde
- Bank of America ordered to hire back employee and pay $930,000 after violating whistleblower protection provisions
- Adhesive company fined $917,000 after explosion injures workers
- Grain cooperative fined nearly $230,000 for exposing workers to combustible dust, fall and other hazards
- OSHA issues annual inspection plan for protecting workers in high-hazard workplaces
- OSHA settles with roofing company and 14 affiliates to enhance safety and health for workers nationwide
- Michaels addresses World Congress for Safety and Health at Work
- OSHA Web page provides information on protecting wildfire response and recovery workers
- OSHA fines three contractors at U.S. Marine Corps base nearly $190,000 for crane and trenching violations
- Manufacturer achieves safety excellence with help from OSHA's free On-site Consultation Program
- OSHA celebrates 40 years of helping to ensure healthier workers, safer workplaces and a stronger America
- OSHA compliance assistance material and help available on protecting workers from falls in residential construction
- 2011 Drive Safely Work Week October 3-7
- Job openings
QuickTakes 9/1/2011
- OSHA provides information and assistance to protect workers from hazards during Hurricane Irene cleanup
- Bureau of Labor Statistics Releases 2010 preliminary workplace fatality data
- Solis and ambassadors of three Central American countries sign declarations protecting migrant workers' rights
- OSHA orders two railroads to pay more than $900,000 for violating whistleblower provisions
- Illinois feed company ordered to allow OSHA inspection or pay fines of $500 a day
- OSHA secures federal court order and injunction to protect workers from fall hazards at N.J. construction site: Contractor repeatedly placed workers in imminent danger
- DOL improves enforcement databases to improve public access
- OSHA posts new educational video on preventing fatal falls in residential construction
- OSHA teams with Florida construction companies to promote heat illness prevention
- NFL players tweet about heat app
- Committee will meet Sept. 21 to advise OSHA on protecting the safety and health of shipyard workers
- Hazard alert warns of dangers to workers from incorrectly rebuilt circuit breakers
- NFPA issues new gas process safety standard after power plant explosion that killed six workers
- Air Force Base contractor fined more than $50,000 for exposing workers to hazardous air contaminants
- Precast concrete company achieves safety excellence with help from OSHA's free On-site Consultation Program
- New York DOL to cosponsor conference on Safe Patient Handling
- Oregon OSHA to host safety and health conference Sept. 21-22
- Washington state holds competition to promote safe forklift operation
- OSHA celebrates 40 years of helping to ensure healthier workers, safer workplaces and a stronger America
- Job openings
QuickTakes 8/15/2011
- Grain elevator company pleads guilty in teen worker's death
- OSHA unveils heat safety smartphone app and heat index guidance
- Secretary Solis brings message on protecting outdoor workers from heat illness to New Mexico and Utah; Georgia construction companies team with OSHA on safety in heat
- New comprehensive OSHA Web page on preventing work-related hearing loss contains a wealth of information to help businesses and workers
- OSHA issues alert on engulfment and suffocation hazards in grain storage bins
- NIOSH STOP STICKS campaign aims to reduce exposures to bloodborne pathogens
- OSHA works to ensure the safety and health of workers during flood cleanup in Minot
- Potential grain bin tragedy prevented by OSHA inspector in Minot
- OSHA orders two railroad operators and an electric company that violated whistleblower provisions to pay workers more than $400,000
- California fines pharmaceutical company more than $370,000 after one worker is killed and two others seriously injured
- Colorado food company and subcontractor fined $300,000 for chemical and other hazards
- OSHA inspection following worker complaint leads to $170,000 in fines for New Jersey printer that exposed workers to machine guarding and other hazards
- Texas truck washing company fined $160,000 after worker is killed in confined space
- Local Emphasis Programs listed on OSHA Enforcement Web page
- OSHA forms Alliance with the American Wind Energy Association
- Construction company prevents injuries with help from OSHA's free On-site Consultation Program
- OSHA receives more than 300 entries for workplace safety and health photo contest
- OSHA's Debbie Berkowitz named one of 100 Women Making a Difference in Safety
- OSHA celebrates 40 years of helping to ensure healthier workers, safer workplaces and a stronger America
- Job openings
QuickTakes 8/1/2011
- OSHA announces measures to improve its Whistleblower Protection Program
- OSHA holds stakeholder meetings to discuss occupational exposure to infectious diseases
- Secretary of Labor issues alert on protecting workers during heat waves sweeping the country
- Michaels advocates including worker protections in discussions on environmental sustainability
- Construction advisory committee makes recommendations to OSHA on protecting construction worker safety and health
- Maritime advisory committee makes recommendations to OSHA on protecting the safety and health of shipyard workers
- Warning card on suffocation hazards in grain storage bins now available from OSHA
- Bakery cited for exposing workers to safety and health hazards twice in four months is fined nearly $200,000
- Company fined nearly $160,000 after worker is struck and killed by flying piece of machinery
- Lumber mill fined more than $150,000 after worker is killed by mechanical saw
- OSHA co-sponsoring first national conference on Eliminating Health and Safety Disparities at Work
- Award-winning photojournalist encourages people to enter OSHA photo contest before Aug. 12 deadline
- Green Jobs: OSHA Harwood grantee offers free spray foam industry safety training
- State and non-profit organizations in Oregon and Kentucky provide scholarships to children of workers killed or injured on the job
- OSHA celebrates 40 years of helping to ensure healthier workers, safer workplaces and a stronger America
- Job openings
QuickTakes 7/15/2011
- Secretary of Labor Solis travels to Florida to bring message on protecting workers from heat-related illnesses
- OSHA schedules stakeholder meetings to discuss occupational exposure to infectious diseases
- Safety summit in New York reaches out to Asian American/Pacific Islander workers
- OSHA holds Web chat on Semiannual Regulatory Agenda
- OSHA issues hazard alert on use of scissor lifts to film events and other functions
- National Advisory Committee on Occupational Safety and Health makes recommendations to OSHA
- Committee will meet July 27-28 to advise OSHA on protecting the safety and health of construction workers
- Michaels seeks nominations for Federal Advisory Committee on Occupational Safety and Health
- OSHA revises directive for reducing and eliminating hazards in commercial diving operations
- Michaels participates in European Union talks on worker safety
- DOL resolves OSHA citations against gunpowder manufacturer for explosion that killed two workers
- Two employers fined more than $600,000 after four workers suffer amputations
- Contractor fined more than $350,000 after repeatedly exposing workers to trenching cave-in hazards
- OSHA staff help provide assistance to ensure the safety and health of workers during tornado cleanup in Joplin
- Manufacturer reduces worker injuries and illnesses with help from OSHA's free On-site Consultation Program
- Wyoming OSHA and state oil and gas industry form alliance to protect worker safety
- Water, rest and shade: Protecting workers from heat-related illness
- OSHA celebrates 40 years of helping to ensure healthier workers, safer workplaces and a stronger America
- OSHA photo contest to end in August
- Job openings
QuickTakes 7/1/2011
- NOAA extreme heat weather alerts contain worker safety information
- OSHA requests comments on proposed updates to occupational injury and illness recording and reporting requirements
- Solis and ambassadors of Guatemala and Nicaragua sign declarations protecting migrant workers' rights
- OSHA resources can help employers prevent fireworks-related injuries during July 4th celebrations
- OSHA and FDA launch joint effort to improve communication and cooperation
- New report on carcinogens may affect employer Hazard Communication Programs
- OSHA sues real estate management company to protect whistleblower
- OSHA issues new directive on Corporate-Wide Settlement Agreements
- New Local Emphasis Programs in four states target injuries and deaths related to powered industrial trucks
- DOL to hold Asian American/Pacific Islander summit in New York on July 9
- Committee will meet July 19 to advise OSHA on protecting the safety and health of shipyard workers
- Michaels discusses worker safety and health at national conference of safety engineers
- Tire company and two contractors fined more than $250,000 for exposing workers to combustible dust and other hazards
- Excavation company fined more than $150,000 after one worker is killed and another injured in trench cave-in
- OSHA staff participates in Univision TV phone bank in Dallas to promote worker safety in hot weather
- OSHA Alliance with sealant association promotes worker safety and health
- Employer gets help from OSHA's free On-site Consultation Program: injuries and illnesses prevented
- Michigan OSHA negotiates global settlement with Davenport Masonry after worker is killed
- New publication explains OSHA-At-A-Glance
- Water, rest and shade: Protecting workers from heat-related illness
- OSHA celebrates 40 years of helping to ensure healthier workers, safer workplaces and a stronger America
- OSHA photo contest: Picture it! Safe Workplaces for Everyone
- Job openings