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OSHA Directive Supports Protection Of Federal Workers

Heidi Schwartz — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 16:40:36 +0000

The directive outlines the procedures for carrying out programmed inspections at some of the most hazardous federal workplaces.

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Comments Needed: Workplace Noise Exposure Controls

Heidi Schwartz — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 15:30:51 +0000

OSHA is proposing to issue an interpretation of the term “feasible administrative or engineering controls” as used in the general industry and construction occupational noise exposure standards and to amend its current enforcement policy to reflect the interpretation. Comments are due 12/20/10.

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OSHA To Hold Public Hearing On Walking/Working Surface Safety

Heidi Schwartz — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 17:46:15 +0000

OSHA will hold an informal public hearing starting January 18, 2011, on the proposed rule revising the Walking-Working Surfaces and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) standards to improve worker protection from slip, trip, and fall hazards.

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OSHA Statement Regarding Lost Work Days for 2009

Heidi Schwartz — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 16:35:00 +0000

According to the BLS, the number of reported nonfatal occupational injury and illness cases that required days away from work to recuperate decreased by 9% in 2009 for private industry, state, and local government. (Note, this number reflects a decrease in construction and overall employment.)

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OSHA Adding To Construction Safety and Health Committee

Heidi Schwartz — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 15:42:03 +0000

The committee advises the Secretary of Labor on developing standards and policies that affect the safety and health of construction workers.

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17 Years After The Chicken Plant Fire (from The Workplace Safety Council)

Heidi Schwartz — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 16:47:15 +0000

[hamlet-nc-chicken-plant-fire-2_tn] On September 3, 1991 a fire in the Imperial Foods chicken processing plant in Hamlet, NC, claimed 25 lives and injured 54 employees. Locked emergency exits made it difficult for employees to exit the building during the fire.

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OSHA Cites SeaWorld for Killer Whale Accident

Heidi Schwartz — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 17:08:34 +0000

OSHA has cited SeaWorld of Florida LLC for three safety violations, including one classified as willful, following the death of an animal trainer in February.

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FRIDAY FUNNY: Napo to the Rescue!

Heidi Schwartz — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 14:24:10 +0000

Napo films feature characters in the world of work, faced with safety issues. Using a cartoon style and wordless language, they blend education, cultural neutrality, and humor.

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BP to Pay $50.6 Million Penalty for 2005 Refinery Explosion

Heidi Schwartz — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 14:49:49 +0000

Last week, OSHA announced that BP Products North America Inc. will pay a full penalty of $50.6 million stemming from the 2005 refinery explosion that killed 15 workers and injured 170 others.

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Resource Offers Access to Employee Protection Information

Heidi Schwartz — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 15:27:10 +0000

Workers who “blow the whistle” on prohibited or unlawful practices in the workplace as well as safety and health discrimination play an important role in assuring compliance with federal laws.

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BP Deepwater Horizon Officials Sign Health & Safety MOU

Heidi Schwartz — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 15:09:54 +0000

The MOU provides the means for OSHA to notify the FOSC when it intends to take enforcement action against BP, BP’s contractors, or any other employer engaged in response activities.

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FRIDAY FUNNY: Gulf Employees On The Edge Of Their Seats

Heidi Schwartz — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 14:09:23 +0000

How high are tensions running in the energy industry down in Louisiana? At one company, the president makes the link between improper swivel chair usage and the BP oil spill.

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OSHA Proposes New Worker Protection Rulemaking

Heidi Schwartz — Tue, 25 May 2010 14:20:17 +0000

The proposed rulemaking would require improved worker protection from tripping, slipping, and falling hazards on walking and working surfaces.

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From OSHA: Oil Spill Cleanup Safety Guides

Heidi Schwartz — Wed, 19 May 2010 14:50:57 +0000

Development of the safety guides and fact sheets has grown out of a partnership between OSHA and the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences to promote protective measures for Gulf Coast oil spill responders.

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DOL Focuses on Safety of Oil Cleanup Workers

Heidi Schwartz — Tue, 04 May 2010 14:14:31 +0000

Cleanup workers can face potential hazards from oil byproducts, dispersants, detergents, and degreasers. Drowning, heat illness, and falls also pose hazards, as can encounters with wild species native to the impacted areas. OSHA is consulting with BP and others to ensure that workers receive appropriate training and protective equipment.

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Go On A Safety “Mission” First Week Of May

Anne Vazquez — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 14:30:24 +0000

Numerous groups will convene during NAOSH Week from May 2-8, 2010 and Occupational Safety and Health Professional (OSHP) Day on May 5 to raise awareness of the importance of being safe at work.

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New Jersey Transit Violates Whistleblower Law

Heidi Schwartz — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 14:53:32 +0000

A whistleblower investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration found that New Jersey Transit violated the Federal Railroad Safety Act when it retaliated against an employee for reporting a work-related illness.

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NEW PRODUCT FLASH: Drive-Thru Unit From Berner International

Anne Vazquez — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 14:34:18 +0000

This air curtain product is designed to keep car fumes away from workers at drive-thru windows, save energy, and create comfort.

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OSHA Issues Flu Directive for Healthcare Workers

Heidi Schwartz — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 15:20:37 +0000

In response to complaints, OSHA inspectors will ensure that healthcare employers implement a hierarchy of controls and encourage vaccination and other work practices recommended by the CDC.

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Friday Funny: Were The 1950s Really This Silly?

Heidi Schwartz — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 15:30:47 +0000

Enjoy this humorous retro look at dangers in the common workplace, courtesy of the Safetycare channel on YouTube.

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ASSE Urges Hazardous Materials Communication Rule Completion

Heidi Schwartz — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 16:45:05 +0000

The Hazard Communication proposed rule seeks to ensure that the hazards of all chemicals produced or imported are evaluated and communicated to employers and employees. Modifying OSHA’s existing HCS could harmonize chemical hazard communications worldwide, help U.S. employers compete in the international marketplace, and increase work safety.

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DOL Unveils “Open Government” Efforts

Heidi Schwartz — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 15:05:55 +0000

The work is part of the Obama Administration’s continued commitment to improved accountability, transparency, and service to the American public.

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OSHA Directive Addresses Flu Prevention for Healthcare Workers

Heidi Schwartz — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 15:23:54 +0000

OSHA issued a compliance directive on 11/20/09 to ensure uniform procedures when conducting inspections to identify and minimize or eliminate high to very high risk occupational exposures for healthcare workers to the 2009 H1N1 influenza A virus.

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Employers, Doctors Intentionally Under Reporting Workplace Injuries and Illnesses

Heidi Schwartz — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:20:58 +0000

New report from the GAO confirms that Occupational Safety and Health Administration OSHA statistics do not reflect the real risk employees face from workplace hazards.

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OSHA Reports on Top 10 Safety Violations for 2009

Heidi Schwartz — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 15:44:16 +0000

The number of top 10 violations has increased almost 30% over the same time period in 2008.

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