A RoSPA Occupational Safety Adviser, Roger Bibbings, once said: "Given the current financial climate, there is a danger that occupational health and safety could be seen as a problem largely solved - a 'nice-to-have' rather than a really essential social and economic ingredient. There could be a temptation to cut corners, reduce standards or delay introducing essential protective measures. As much as we would like to think that companies are now investing more in safety than never before; this may not be so true. It is vital that we don't turn a blind eye to safety due to our current economy. The current state of the economy has lead many companies to downsize and unfortunetly safety directors have been some of the first ones to be let go. If they're not let go, many safety directors have found themselves with smaller budgets than ever before.
Recently the Canadian Society of Safety Engineers (CSSE) urged safety professionals to maintain safety standards in the workplace despite the economic downturn that’s causing many companies to reduce cost and downsize. ASSE president Christopher Patton also urged safety leaders to do their part. He said that safety directors must integrate safety into everyone's roles and responsibilities so that it is viewed as a value, not a task. It's important for them to sell the value of safety to their employer.
“It’s still very apparent that you still have to keep current because the global economy and the downsizing will turn around and in order to maintain your established standards, you do have to keep investing in the safety of your people in the workplace. Because they are the ones that are going to bring your community, your business, your workplace back into the world standards that help change the economies,” CSSE president Art Nordholm said.
Safety isn't something that we can afford to lose; it should be a priority even when times are tough. It worries us that many companies don't realize that safety can save them thousands of dollars in the future. A good safety program can save a company $4 to $6 for every $1 invested; this is because injuries and illnesses decline. Worker's compensation costs go down and medical costs decrease. OSHA violations can range anywhere from a warning to thousands of dollars in fines. Another plus: A good safety (training) program gives your employees the confidence they need to work without fear for their safety. Employee confidence provokes lower turnover and lower accident rates thus leading to better productivity and increased morale.
Sources:
Guzman, Mari-Len. "Safety managers urged to maintain standards in tough economy." Canadian Occupational Safety. 22 Sept. 2009. Web. 1 Oct. 2009.
"Industry urged to maintain safety investment despite recession." Neal's Note for December 2008. Professional Health and Safety Consultants Ltd. Web. 1 Oct. 2009.
Showing newest 43 of 47 posts from September 2009. Show older posts
Showing newest 43 of 47 posts from September 2009. Show older posts
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Welder's torch starts fire at Salt Lake City warehouse under construction
Yesterday in Salt Lake City, a fire broke out in a warehouse that is under construction. Several construction workers were on site at the time of the fire. Freitag added that the material was very flammable. Scott Freitag, of the Salt Lake 
City Fire Department said, "It's a petroleum-based product, like rubber, so it caused for some thick, black smoke that everybody was able to see." Due to an approaching storm thick black smoke covered the area to the north of the warehouse due to the steady winds. The wind was a difficult factor in fighting the roof. Freitag also said, "The wind picked up, and since the fire started on the south side and the wind was blowing to the north, it just took the fire all along that whole side of the roof." Falling debris from the building also made it difficult for firemen to enter the building.
Scott Freitag said, "We've talked to the contractors that were inside at the time, and there was an iron worker that was up near the top--the south part of this roof--that was cutting a hole in the roof.
For some reason, either the flame or the heat from the torch got into contact with the membrane that covers the roof and caught the membrane on fire." Many of the construction workers agreed that the fire could have been prevented. Construction worker Marcus Lloyd said, "They sent a welder up on a finished roof, which is never supposed to be welded on, and that started the fire." The building was to be the home of Wasatch Supply & Barrel starting this fall. Fortunately no one was hurt but price repairs are expected to be high.
Sources:
"Fire chases dozens of workers out of SLC construction site." Ksl.com. 29 Sept. 2009. Web. 30 Sept. 2009.
Reavy, Pat. "Welder's torch sparks blaze at unfinished S.L. warehouse." Deseret News. 29 Sept. 2009. Web. 30 Sept. 2009.
City Fire Department said, "It's a petroleum-based product, like rubber, so it caused for some thick, black smoke that everybody was able to see." Due to an approaching storm thick black smoke covered the area to the north of the warehouse due to the steady winds. The wind was a difficult factor in fighting the roof. Freitag also said, "The wind picked up, and since the fire started on the south side and the wind was blowing to the north, it just took the fire all along that whole side of the roof." Falling debris from the building also made it difficult for firemen to enter the building.Scott Freitag said, "We've talked to the contractors that were inside at the time, and there was an iron worker that was up near the top--the south part of this roof--that was cutting a hole in the roof.
For some reason, either the flame or the heat from the torch got into contact with the membrane that covers the roof and caught the membrane on fire." Many of the construction workers agreed that the fire could have been prevented. Construction worker Marcus Lloyd said, "They sent a welder up on a finished roof, which is never supposed to be welded on, and that started the fire." The building was to be the home of Wasatch Supply & Barrel starting this fall. Fortunately no one was hurt but price repairs are expected to be high.Sources:
"Fire chases dozens of workers out of SLC construction site." Ksl.com. 29 Sept. 2009. Web. 30 Sept. 2009.
Reavy, Pat. "Welder's torch sparks blaze at unfinished S.L. warehouse." Deseret News. 29 Sept. 2009. Web. 30 Sept. 2009.
Worker dies in roller compactor tip over- Do you know how to prevent an accident when working w/ one?
On September 28, a worker was killed in Eagle Mountain when he was driving a roller compactor over a large mound of dirt when he tipped over. The compactor crushed him and he 
died almost immediately. Joshua Parks, 23, of Orem, had been working for Nelson Brothers Construction for about six months. The crew was working on a sewage plant during the accident. Deseret News states that another construction worker at the plant had seen smoke from where Parks was working. The worker attempted to get the roller off of Parks and called 911. A medical helicopter was canceled because medical responders said Parks had died immediately.
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) states that "Workers who operate or work around roller/compactors are at risk of injury from a machine rollover or being struck by the machine or its components." NIOSH recommends that injuries and deaths be prevented through wider use of rollover protective structures (ROPS) and seat belts on roller/compactors, training, establishing and adhering to safety plans and safe work practices, and using appropriate personal protective equipment.
Between 2000 and 2006, OSHA investigated over 50 rollover incidents that involved a variety of roller/compactor makes and models. The OSHA website states that while OSHA does not have a standard requiring employers to use ROPS or seatbelts for this type of roller/compactor equipment, it is important for employers to understand that under the General Duty Clause of the OSH Act (section 5(a)(1) of the Act), employers must provide their employees with a workplace that is free from recognized hazards likely to cause death or serious physical harm. It is OSHA’s position that the hazard of equipment rollover is a “recognized hazard” within the meaning of the General Duty Clause of the OSH Act. [3, 4]
Sources:
Lenz, Sara. "Orem man killed in Eagle Mountain accident." Deseret News. 29 Sept. 2009. Web. 30 Sept. 2009.
www.osha.gov
www.cdc.gov
died almost immediately. Joshua Parks, 23, of Orem, had been working for Nelson Brothers Construction for about six months. The crew was working on a sewage plant during the accident. Deseret News states that another construction worker at the plant had seen smoke from where Parks was working. The worker attempted to get the roller off of Parks and called 911. A medical helicopter was canceled because medical responders said Parks had died immediately.The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) states that "Workers who operate or work around roller/compactors are at risk of injury from a machine rollover or being struck by the machine or its components." NIOSH recommends that injuries and deaths be prevented through wider use of rollover protective structures (ROPS) and seat belts on roller/compactors, training, establishing and adhering to safety plans and safe work practices, and using appropriate personal protective equipment.
Between 2000 and 2006, OSHA investigated over 50 rollover incidents that involved a variety of roller/compactor makes and models. The OSHA website states that while OSHA does not have a standard requiring employers to use ROPS or seatbelts for this type of roller/compactor equipment, it is important for employers to understand that under the General Duty Clause of the OSH Act (section 5(a)(1) of the Act), employers must provide their employees with a workplace that is free from recognized hazards likely to cause death or serious physical harm. It is OSHA’s position that the hazard of equipment rollover is a “recognized hazard” within the meaning of the General Duty Clause of the OSH Act. [3, 4]
Sources:
Lenz, Sara. "Orem man killed in Eagle Mountain accident." Deseret News. 29 Sept. 2009. Web. 30 Sept. 2009.
www.osha.gov
www.cdc.gov
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
2-Ton piece of equipment falls on worker at U.S. Gypsum plant
A worker was critically injured in an industrial accident at the U.S. Gypsum plant in Jacksonville, FL. The worker is said to have life-threatening injuries after a 2-piece ton of equipment fell on his head. Two employees were working on a cam gear drive when both employees reportedly thought the other one had attached the machine’s safety chain. One of the workers removed a bolt believing the equipment was suspended from a chain, but it fell on the second man. The two-ton piece of equipment became loose and fell around 5-feet onto one of the worker’s head.
"It came down and hit the victim on the head and pinned him below it until rescue could get there," said Jacksonville Sheriff's Office Sgt. Mike Perry. "The employee who was with him actually pulled the hoist, the cam box back off of him." The employee's name has not been released yet. Officials from OSHA and the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office are investigating the accident.
Sources:
JusticeNewsFlash.com
"Worker Critically Hurt At Northside Plant" News4Jax.com
"It came down and hit the victim on the head and pinned him below it until rescue could get there," said Jacksonville Sheriff's Office Sgt. Mike Perry. "The employee who was with him actually pulled the hoist, the cam box back off of him." The employee's name has not been released yet. Officials from OSHA and the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office are investigating the accident.
Sources:
JusticeNewsFlash.com
"Worker Critically Hurt At Northside Plant" News4Jax.com
Explosion at Special Metals Plant
Around 3:00 PM on Monday, a series of explosions occurred at Special Metals Plant in Burnaugh, Kentucky. Five employees were transported to the local hospital for treatment of burns and respiratory irritation caused by inhaling smoke and dust. An additional 10 workers were evaluated at the scene, but didn’t require medical treatment, said Tom Adams, director of Boyd County Emergency Medical Services. Three separate blasts were heard coming from inside the company. A spokesperson for Special Metals stated that there were no serious life threatening injuries after the blast.
Matt Adkins, director of the Ashland Boyd County Catlettsburg Office of Emergency Management, reported that the blasts occurred right before a shift change. This created some problems accounting for all of the workers who were in the shop. The cause of the explosions is being investigated by the Kentucky Fire Marshal’s Office and the Kentucky State Police. Officials said the most likely culprit was molten metal and water coming into contact. Those two elements “just do not go together,” Adkins said. Adkins also said that although there were some hazardous chemicals on site, fortunately none of them were affected by the incident. A hazardous materials team did come to evaluate the scene. Adkins also said the damage inside the building did not appear to be extensive. He said the incident could have been much worse in terms of both injuries and property damage.
Although Adams, the EMS director, said the last major incident he could recall at the Special Metals plant occurred some 15 to 20 years ago, when two workers were burned by acid, Special Metals employee Ray Owens said the melting furnace in one of the buildings has had problems in the past, and the company neglected it. "There's a lot of things neglected here -- all for the sake of money," he said. A company spokesman said they don't take short-cuts at the expense of workers' safety. He said the top two budget items are safety and maintenance.
Sources:
Hart, Kenneth. "Explosion series rocks Special Metals plant." The Daily Independent online. The Independent-Ashland, Kentucky, 29 Sept. 2009. Web.
"7 Injured in Explosion at Special Metals Plant; Workers Blame 'Faulty Safety Practices'" WSAZ 3 News Channel. Web. 29 Sept. 2009.
Matt Adkins, director of the Ashland Boyd County Catlettsburg Office of Emergency Management, reported that the blasts occurred right before a shift change. This created some problems accounting for all of the workers who were in the shop. The cause of the explosions is being investigated by the Kentucky Fire Marshal’s Office and the Kentucky State Police. Officials said the most likely culprit was molten metal and water coming into contact. Those two elements “just do not go together,” Adkins said. Adkins also said that although there were some hazardous chemicals on site, fortunately none of them were affected by the incident. A hazardous materials team did come to evaluate the scene. Adkins also said the damage inside the building did not appear to be extensive. He said the incident could have been much worse in terms of both injuries and property damage.
Although Adams, the EMS director, said the last major incident he could recall at the Special Metals plant occurred some 15 to 20 years ago, when two workers were burned by acid, Special Metals employee Ray Owens said the melting furnace in one of the buildings has had problems in the past, and the company neglected it. "There's a lot of things neglected here -- all for the sake of money," he said. A company spokesman said they don't take short-cuts at the expense of workers' safety. He said the top two budget items are safety and maintenance.
Sources:
Hart, Kenneth. "Explosion series rocks Special Metals plant." The Daily Independent online. The Independent-Ashland, Kentucky, 29 Sept. 2009. Web.
"7 Injured in Explosion at Special Metals Plant; Workers Blame 'Faulty Safety Practices'" WSAZ 3 News Channel. Web. 29 Sept. 2009.
Two House Democrats urge OSHA to expand Process Safety Management standards
Representatives George Miller (chair of the House Committee on Education and Labor) and Lynn Woolsey (chair of the committee’s subcommittee on Workforce Protections) want OSHA to improve control of reactive hazards, and in the interim, issue a compliance directive covering these hazards “in view of the decades-long history of death and injuries from reactive chemical accidents." They have written a letter to acting OSHA chief Jordan Barab urging him to expand the agency’s process safety management standards. “With a change in administration and its renewed focus on worker safety, we are optimistic that you will see the urgency in placing a reactive hazards rule back on the regulatory agenda,” wrote Miller and Woolsey.
The renewed pressure on OSHA was triggered by the Chemical Safety Board’s investigative findings that a December, 2007 explosion in a Jacksonville, Florida, production plant (T2 Laboratories) which killed four employees and injured 32 was caused by a runaway chemical reaction involving sodium, a highly reactive alkali metal. The CSB also noted in its final report on the T2 Laboratories incident that OSHA has not implemented the CSB’s previous recommendation to expand coverage under its process safety rule for reactive hazards.
Between January 1920 and June 2001, CSB has documented 167 serious reactive incidents in the U.S., resulting in 108 deaths and hundreds of injuries. Between 2001and 2006, CSB has documented another 249 uncontrolled chemical accidents (ishn.com).
Just yesterday it was released that OSHA cited Hiland Dairy Foods Co. in Wichita for alleged violations totaling $124,500 in penalties. OSHA's inspection found 24 alleged serious violations of the OSHA Act, the majority of which relate to deficiencies with the company's process safety management program (PSM), an OSHA requirement for preventing the catastrophic release of hazardous chemicals. The serious violations stem from overall deficiencies in the company's PSM program.
"There is no excuse for Hiland Dairy's inattention to such a critical program aimed at preventing the catastrophic release of hazardous chemicals," said Charles Adkins, OSHA's regional administrator in Kansas City, Mo. "The company needs to address these issues quickly and sufficiently to ensure the safety and health of its workers and the surrounding community."
Sources:
osha.gov
ishn.com
The renewed pressure on OSHA was triggered by the Chemical Safety Board’s investigative findings that a December, 2007 explosion in a Jacksonville, Florida, production plant (T2 Laboratories) which killed four employees and injured 32 was caused by a runaway chemical reaction involving sodium, a highly reactive alkali metal. The CSB also noted in its final report on the T2 Laboratories incident that OSHA has not implemented the CSB’s previous recommendation to expand coverage under its process safety rule for reactive hazards.
Between January 1920 and June 2001, CSB has documented 167 serious reactive incidents in the U.S., resulting in 108 deaths and hundreds of injuries. Between 2001and 2006, CSB has documented another 249 uncontrolled chemical accidents (ishn.com).
Just yesterday it was released that OSHA cited Hiland Dairy Foods Co. in Wichita for alleged violations totaling $124,500 in penalties. OSHA's inspection found 24 alleged serious violations of the OSHA Act, the majority of which relate to deficiencies with the company's process safety management program (PSM), an OSHA requirement for preventing the catastrophic release of hazardous chemicals. The serious violations stem from overall deficiencies in the company's PSM program.
"There is no excuse for Hiland Dairy's inattention to such a critical program aimed at preventing the catastrophic release of hazardous chemicals," said Charles Adkins, OSHA's regional administrator in Kansas City, Mo. "The company needs to address these issues quickly and sufficiently to ensure the safety and health of its workers and the surrounding community."
Sources:
osha.gov
ishn.com
Monday, September 28, 2009
Georgia senators call on OSHA regulations after Imperial Sugar explosion results are released
On Friday, September 25, we posted "Results of Imperial Sugar Dust Explosion: "Entirely preventable" (www.bit.ly/b1Sri). Here we discussed the results of the report issued by the Chemical Safety Board. As we had posted, the president and cheif excecutive of Imperial Sugar said the company had "collaborated" with the safety board on the report and was "working dilegently" to put in place the report's safety recommendations. Now in a report submitted by Georgia's senators,Isakson, R-Ga., and Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., they are calling on OSHA regulations to establish regulations regarding combustible dust after the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board announced its findings regarding the Feb. 7, 2008, explosion at the Imperial Sugar refinery.
The following information was released by Georgia Senator Saxby Chambliss:
Isakson and Chambliss were briefed by Chemical Safety Board officials regarding its final investigative report on the causes of the explosion at the refinery near Savannah, Ga. Both senators also spoke with Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis this week to urge her department to begin its comprehensive rulemaking on combustible dust.
“I believe we should embrace the findings of the Chemical Safety Board, including the recommendation that OSHA establish mandatory standards modeled after the National Fire Protection Association guidelines,” Isakson said. “Sen. Chambliss and I are working closely with Secretary Solis to ensure that the lessons we have learned as a result of the Port Wentworth disaster will help us prevent future tragedies. The best available science, the experience of stakeholders and the notice-and-comment process should all play a key role in developing these much-needed regulations.”
“After receiving the Chemical Safety Board’s briefing, I believe it is clear that we must move forward with its recommendations for OSHA to establish regulations modeled after the National Fire Protection Association guidelines,” said Chambliss. “As public servants, it is our responsibility to do everything we can from a federal standpoint to ensure this type of tragedy never occurs again.”
Chemical Safety Board investigators determined that the initial explosion originated inside an enclosed steel conveyor belt that was not properly designed to protect employees from dust explosion hazards. Those investigators also concluded that a series of massive secondary explosions could have been prevented if Imperial Sugar had maintained routine housekeeping procedures and removed “large accumulations of spilled sugar throughout the packing buildings.”
On Feb. 15, 2008, Isakson and Chambliss went to Savannah to meet with Imperial Sugar employees as well as the families of workers who died or suffered injuries. Isakson and Chambliss also toured the exterior of the facility. On Feb. 13, 2008, Isakson and Chambliss sent a letter to the U.S. Secretary of Labor and the interim executive of the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board, urging them to begin a comprehensive investigation of the Feb. 7 explosion. Both investigations are now complete.
The following information was released by Georgia Senator Saxby Chambliss:
Isakson and Chambliss were briefed by Chemical Safety Board officials regarding its final investigative report on the causes of the explosion at the refinery near Savannah, Ga. Both senators also spoke with Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis this week to urge her department to begin its comprehensive rulemaking on combustible dust.
“I believe we should embrace the findings of the Chemical Safety Board, including the recommendation that OSHA establish mandatory standards modeled after the National Fire Protection Association guidelines,” Isakson said. “Sen. Chambliss and I are working closely with Secretary Solis to ensure that the lessons we have learned as a result of the Port Wentworth disaster will help us prevent future tragedies. The best available science, the experience of stakeholders and the notice-and-comment process should all play a key role in developing these much-needed regulations.”
“After receiving the Chemical Safety Board’s briefing, I believe it is clear that we must move forward with its recommendations for OSHA to establish regulations modeled after the National Fire Protection Association guidelines,” said Chambliss. “As public servants, it is our responsibility to do everything we can from a federal standpoint to ensure this type of tragedy never occurs again.”
Chemical Safety Board investigators determined that the initial explosion originated inside an enclosed steel conveyor belt that was not properly designed to protect employees from dust explosion hazards. Those investigators also concluded that a series of massive secondary explosions could have been prevented if Imperial Sugar had maintained routine housekeeping procedures and removed “large accumulations of spilled sugar throughout the packing buildings.”
On Feb. 15, 2008, Isakson and Chambliss went to Savannah to meet with Imperial Sugar employees as well as the families of workers who died or suffered injuries. Isakson and Chambliss also toured the exterior of the facility. On Feb. 13, 2008, Isakson and Chambliss sent a letter to the U.S. Secretary of Labor and the interim executive of the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board, urging them to begin a comprehensive investigation of the Feb. 7 explosion. Both investigations are now complete.
Demolition Safety: Are you aware?
The OSHA website states that demolition work involves many of the hazards associated with construction. "However, demolition incurs additional hazards due to unknown factors such as: deviations from the structure's design introduced during construction, approved or unapproved modifications that altered the original design, materials hidden within structural members, and 
unknown strengths or weaknesses of construction materials." The site also states that to counter these unknowns, all personnel involved in a demolition project must be fully aware of these types of hazards and the safety precautions to take to control the hazards.
Before the start of a demolition, contractors must make sure that all safeguards are in place to safeguard all workers and the general public. A pre-demolition checklist is a useful tool for this. Other surveys that must be completed are an engineering survey and a written blasting survey; these surveys include the inspection of chemicals, gases, flammable materials and the transportation, storage, and inventory of explosives. To prevent accidents, it is vital that only authorized personnel have access to the site. This means clearly marking the area and blocking it off to the public. Planning for a demolition is just as important as the actual demolition. Preparatory operations involve
the overall planning of the demolition job, including the methods to be used to bring the structure down, the equipment necessary to do the job, and the measures to be taken to perform the work safely (nyc.gov). Another important step that needs to be done is the inspection of asbestos-containing materials. Asbestos is dangerous when it is crushed, crumbled or disturbed because fibers can be released into the air; it is essential that they be cleared from the area before any demolition and renovation. Many construction materials contain asbestos due to its excellent insulation, fire proofing and sound proofing qualities.
Environmental concerns and regulations have tightened over the years prompting demolition contractors to place safety as a top priority. It is very important for a competent person experienced in all phases of the demolition to conduct the demolition planning. Planning should also include necessary safety equipment such as specific respirators, hearing protection, safety nets, lifelines, fall protection, warning signs, eye and face protection, and any other hazard protection device needed for the job (scif.com). "Before demolition begins, all electric, gas, sewer, water, steam, and overhead lines etc. must be located and shut off, capped or controlled (scif.com)" Is is also important for demolition contractors to conduct a post-inspection of the area after the blast to insure that no hazards remain. Enough time should be allowed for dust, smoke, and fumes to leave the blasted area before allowing re-entry into the site.
For more information: http://www.osha.gov/ "Hazards & Solutions to Demolition"
Sources:
"Asbestos in Demolition Debris Summary." Department of Ecology. State of Washington. Web. 28 Sept. 2009.
"Demolition Safety Planning." State Compensation Insurence Fund. Web. 28 Sept. 2009.
"Guides & Publications to Demolition Safety." NYC Buildings. NYC.gov. Web. 28 Sept. 2009.
unknown strengths or weaknesses of construction materials." The site also states that to counter these unknowns, all personnel involved in a demolition project must be fully aware of these types of hazards and the safety precautions to take to control the hazards.Before the start of a demolition, contractors must make sure that all safeguards are in place to safeguard all workers and the general public. A pre-demolition checklist is a useful tool for this. Other surveys that must be completed are an engineering survey and a written blasting survey; these surveys include the inspection of chemicals, gases, flammable materials and the transportation, storage, and inventory of explosives. To prevent accidents, it is vital that only authorized personnel have access to the site. This means clearly marking the area and blocking it off to the public. Planning for a demolition is just as important as the actual demolition. Preparatory operations involve
the overall planning of the demolition job, including the methods to be used to bring the structure down, the equipment necessary to do the job, and the measures to be taken to perform the work safely (nyc.gov). Another important step that needs to be done is the inspection of asbestos-containing materials. Asbestos is dangerous when it is crushed, crumbled or disturbed because fibers can be released into the air; it is essential that they be cleared from the area before any demolition and renovation. Many construction materials contain asbestos due to its excellent insulation, fire proofing and sound proofing qualities.
Environmental concerns and regulations have tightened over the years prompting demolition contractors to place safety as a top priority. It is very important for a competent person experienced in all phases of the demolition to conduct the demolition planning. Planning should also include necessary safety equipment such as specific respirators, hearing protection, safety nets, lifelines, fall protection, warning signs, eye and face protection, and any other hazard protection device needed for the job (scif.com). "Before demolition begins, all electric, gas, sewer, water, steam, and overhead lines etc. must be located and shut off, capped or controlled (scif.com)" Is is also important for demolition contractors to conduct a post-inspection of the area after the blast to insure that no hazards remain. Enough time should be allowed for dust, smoke, and fumes to leave the blasted area before allowing re-entry into the site.For more information: http://www.osha.gov/ "Hazards & Solutions to Demolition"
Sources:
"Asbestos in Demolition Debris Summary." Department of Ecology. State of Washington. Web. 28 Sept. 2009.
"Demolition Safety Planning." State Compensation Insurence Fund. Web. 28 Sept. 2009.
"Guides & Publications to Demolition Safety." NYC Buildings. NYC.gov. Web. 28 Sept. 2009.
Friday, September 25, 2009
OSHA cites Monarch Oil Inc-violations relate to transfer of hazardous materials.
OSHA cited Monarch Oil Inc. of Omaha following an investigation into an accident in Omaha where one of three workers, who was transferring asphalt from rail cars into storage tanks, was severely burned. The worker was covered by almost 240-degree asphalt released from an open valve on the transfer system due to a pressure increase that separated the transfer hose from the system.
"Dangers associated with the transfer of hazardous materials must be addressed and mitigated," said Charles Adkins, OSHA's regional administrator in Kansas City, Mo. "It is imperative that
employers take all necessary steps to inspect equipment and provide training for their workers to prevent accidents like this from occurring." Two serious violations relate to the improper use, storage, inspection and maintenance of hoses used to transfer hazardous materials and the use of personal protective equipment as needed to address exposure to hazardous materials during the transfer process.
According to the FEMA website, hazardous materials in various forms can cause death, serious injury, long-lasting health effects, and damage to buildings, homes, and other property. Hazardous materials come in the form of explosives, flammable and combustible substances, poisons, and radioactive materials. Varying quantities of hazardous materials are manufactured, used, or stored at an estimated 4.5 million facilities in the United States--from major industrial plants to local dry cleaning establishments or gardening supply stores (fema.gov).
Sources:
http://www.osha.gov/
http://www.fema.gov/
"Dangers associated with the transfer of hazardous materials must be addressed and mitigated," said Charles Adkins, OSHA's regional administrator in Kansas City, Mo. "It is imperative that
employers take all necessary steps to inspect equipment and provide training for their workers to prevent accidents like this from occurring." Two serious violations relate to the improper use, storage, inspection and maintenance of hoses used to transfer hazardous materials and the use of personal protective equipment as needed to address exposure to hazardous materials during the transfer process.According to the FEMA website, hazardous materials in various forms can cause death, serious injury, long-lasting health effects, and damage to buildings, homes, and other property. Hazardous materials come in the form of explosives, flammable and combustible substances, poisons, and radioactive materials. Varying quantities of hazardous materials are manufactured, used, or stored at an estimated 4.5 million facilities in the United States--from major industrial plants to local dry cleaning establishments or gardening supply stores (fema.gov).
Sources:
http://www.osha.gov/
http://www.fema.gov/
OSHA cites 2 Texas-based companies for fall hazards--"We will be stepping up enforcement of fall hazards"
OSHA cited 2 Texas-based companies, United Renovations and ABC Roofing, for fall hazards at their Colorado worksite with penalties of $59,000 and $38,750, respectively,related to fall hazards. OSHA's investigation led to one alleged willful and two alleged serious citations against United Renovation, based out of Carrolton, Texas, and one alleged willful, two alleged serious and one alleged other-than-serious citations against ABC Roofing, based out of Euless, Texas. Both companies were engaged in roofing work at the Aurora worksite.
"Fall hazards are the biggest killers in the construction industry, a fact that shouldn't be lost on any company," said John Healy, OSHA's area director in Englewood. "In the coming weeks, OSHA will be stepping up its enforcement of fall hazards, especially in those areas of the state that experienced significant hail damage this year — areas where we expect to see an influx in roofing work."
For both companies, the alleged willful violations stem from a lack of fall protection for workers performing roof work and failing to use fall protection while workers were being machine lifted to the roof. OSHA issues a willful citation when an employer exhibits plain indifference to or intentional disregard for employee safety and health. The alleged serious violations against both companies relate to fall hazards associated with the lift used to elevate workers to the roof and accessing the roof with ladders that did not extend 3 feet above the landing. ABC Roofing was further cited for accessing the roof with a ladder made longer by using a bungee cord to attach a second ladder to it and for failing to train workers in the use of ladders. They used a bungee cord to make the ladder longer..??
Sources:
http://www.osha.gov/
"Fall hazards are the biggest killers in the construction industry, a fact that shouldn't be lost on any company," said John Healy, OSHA's area director in Englewood. "In the coming weeks, OSHA will be stepping up its enforcement of fall hazards, especially in those areas of the state that experienced significant hail damage this year — areas where we expect to see an influx in roofing work."
For both companies, the alleged willful violations stem from a lack of fall protection for workers performing roof work and failing to use fall protection while workers were being machine lifted to the roof. OSHA issues a willful citation when an employer exhibits plain indifference to or intentional disregard for employee safety and health. The alleged serious violations against both companies relate to fall hazards associated with the lift used to elevate workers to the roof and accessing the roof with ladders that did not extend 3 feet above the landing. ABC Roofing was further cited for accessing the roof with a ladder made longer by using a bungee cord to attach a second ladder to it and for failing to train workers in the use of ladders. They used a bungee cord to make the ladder longer..??
Sources:
http://www.osha.gov/
Results of Imperial Sugar Dust Explosion: "Entirely preventable"
It was just released that the Imperial Sugar Dust Explosion that took place in Savannah, Ga. on February 7, 2008 was “entirely preventable,” a federal official said Thursday as the results of an investigation into the fire’s causes were released. The explosion that killed 14 workers and injured 36 more resulted from ongoing releases of sugar from inadequately designed and maintained dust collection equipment, conveyors, and sugar handling equipment. Many of the 36 injured 
workers obtained life-threatening burns.
What makes this incident worse is that the plant's owner and manager knew for decades about the hazards of sugar dust but failed to take the necessary precautions, according to the report. The report issued by the Chemical Safety Board blamed inadequate equipment design, poor maintenance and ineffective housekeeping for the explosion and fire. The Board also stated that Imperial Sugar and the sugar industry as a whole were aware of the dangers of dust explosions at least as early as 1925. Did anybody ever think that there would be an explosion? Yes, internal correspondence dating from 1967 showed that the refinery managers were seriously concerned about the possibility of a sugar dust explosion that could “travel from one area to another, wrecking large sections of a plant.” So why wasn't anything done then?
CSB Investigation Supervisor John Vorderbrueggen, who led the 19-month investigation, said, “Imperial’s management as well as the managers at the Port Wentworth refinery did not take effective actions over many years to control dust explosion hazards – even as smaller fires and explosions continued to occur at their plants and other sugar facilities around the country.” After OSHA's investigation, the agency proposed fines of $8.7 million. This became the the third-largest in the agency’s history. Even after bluntly showing disregard for their worker's safety, Imperial Sugar is contesting the fine. Is $8.7 million in fines sufficient enough? Brent J. Savage, a lawyer in Savannah who is representing some of the victims or family members of victims in lawsuits against the plant, says he is representing one particular client who alone has incurred more than $8 million in medical bills for his severe burns.
The report also urged Imperial Sugar to comply with National Fire Protection
Association recommended practices for preventing dust fires and explosions, develop dust training and housekeeping programs, and improve its evacuation procedures. According to the New York Times, John C. Sheptor, the president and chief executive of Imperial Sugar,in a written statement, said the company had “collaborated” with the safety board on the report and was “working diligently” to put in place the report’s safety recommendations.
Sources:
"CSB Releases Report on Imperial Sugar Dust Explosion." Facility Safety Management. Web. 25 Sept. 2009.
Dewan, Shaila. "Report Cites Lack of Precautions in 2008 Sugar Plant Fire." New York Times. 24 Aug. 2009. Web. 25 Sept. 2009.
workers obtained life-threatening burns.What makes this incident worse is that the plant's owner and manager knew for decades about the hazards of sugar dust but failed to take the necessary precautions, according to the report. The report issued by the Chemical Safety Board blamed inadequate equipment design, poor maintenance and ineffective housekeeping for the explosion and fire. The Board also stated that Imperial Sugar and the sugar industry as a whole were aware of the dangers of dust explosions at least as early as 1925. Did anybody ever think that there would be an explosion? Yes, internal correspondence dating from 1967 showed that the refinery managers were seriously concerned about the possibility of a sugar dust explosion that could “travel from one area to another, wrecking large sections of a plant.” So why wasn't anything done then?
CSB Investigation Supervisor John Vorderbrueggen, who led the 19-month investigation, said, “Imperial’s management as well as the managers at the Port Wentworth refinery did not take effective actions over many years to control dust explosion hazards – even as smaller fires and explosions continued to occur at their plants and other sugar facilities around the country.” After OSHA's investigation, the agency proposed fines of $8.7 million. This became the the third-largest in the agency’s history. Even after bluntly showing disregard for their worker's safety, Imperial Sugar is contesting the fine. Is $8.7 million in fines sufficient enough? Brent J. Savage, a lawyer in Savannah who is representing some of the victims or family members of victims in lawsuits against the plant, says he is representing one particular client who alone has incurred more than $8 million in medical bills for his severe burns.
The report also urged Imperial Sugar to comply with National Fire Protection
Association recommended practices for preventing dust fires and explosions, develop dust training and housekeeping programs, and improve its evacuation procedures. According to the New York Times, John C. Sheptor, the president and chief executive of Imperial Sugar,in a written statement, said the company had “collaborated” with the safety board on the report and was “working diligently” to put in place the report’s safety recommendations.Sources:
"CSB Releases Report on Imperial Sugar Dust Explosion." Facility Safety Management. Web. 25 Sept. 2009.
Dewan, Shaila. "Report Cites Lack of Precautions in 2008 Sugar Plant Fire." New York Times. 24 Aug. 2009. Web. 25 Sept. 2009.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
BP misses their OSHA deadline--Now what?
When a deadly blast, at the BP Texas City refinery, killed 15 people and injured more than 170 people, in 2005, OSHA found that the company had committed more than 300 willful violations. OSHA ended up citing BP for $21.3 million. BP and OSHA worked out an agreement that obligated BP to fully review their process safety management systems and equipment throughout the refinery.
In a letter to the refinery manager, "OSHA Houston South Area
Office Director Mark Briggs said BP was in danger of failing to comply with the agreement and gave the London-based company until Wednesday to correct the problems." BP spokesman Daren Beaudo said the company was working with OSHA to resolve any concerns but would not comment on whether the company would meet the Wednesday deadline.
It was just reported that BP, in fact, did not end up meeting their Wednesday deadline. A day after missing the deadline, BP is asking OSHA for more time to meet their safety requirements. The agency said it is taking the request under advisement. "OSHA had warned BP in August that if it did not make the safety upgrades in Texas City by Wednesday, the company would be in violation of a settlement agreement the two parties struck in September 2005, which also included a $21 million fine (chron.com)."
There's also the possibility that BP also could face more penalties from the Department of Justice, with which it made a separate plea
agreement in 2007. BP had pleaded guilty to a felony violation of the federal Clean Air Act and agreed to fully comply with the OSHA pact. According to Brent Coon, a Galveston lawyer who represented workers and families affected by the BP accident, not meeting the deadline could cause the plea agreement to be voided and spur the Justice Department to slap BP with more fines on top of the $50 million it already has paid, as well as extend BP's existing three-year probation.
In response to reports, BP spokesman Daren Beaudo stated, “Since 2005, we have made substantial investments at Texas City in our people, our work processes, and in upgrading our facilities.”
Sources:
Clanton, Brett. "OSHA questions BP safety." Chron Energy. Houston Chronicle. Web. 24 Sept. 2009.
Lozano, Juan A. "OSHA alleges BP failed to make all required Texas City plant improvements, deadline Wednesday." Breaking News 24/7. 23 Sept. 2009. Web. 24 Sept. 2009.
In a letter to the refinery manager, "OSHA Houston South Area
Office Director Mark Briggs said BP was in danger of failing to comply with the agreement and gave the London-based company until Wednesday to correct the problems." BP spokesman Daren Beaudo said the company was working with OSHA to resolve any concerns but would not comment on whether the company would meet the Wednesday deadline.It was just reported that BP, in fact, did not end up meeting their Wednesday deadline. A day after missing the deadline, BP is asking OSHA for more time to meet their safety requirements. The agency said it is taking the request under advisement. "OSHA had warned BP in August that if it did not make the safety upgrades in Texas City by Wednesday, the company would be in violation of a settlement agreement the two parties struck in September 2005, which also included a $21 million fine (chron.com)."
There's also the possibility that BP also could face more penalties from the Department of Justice, with which it made a separate plea
agreement in 2007. BP had pleaded guilty to a felony violation of the federal Clean Air Act and agreed to fully comply with the OSHA pact. According to Brent Coon, a Galveston lawyer who represented workers and families affected by the BP accident, not meeting the deadline could cause the plea agreement to be voided and spur the Justice Department to slap BP with more fines on top of the $50 million it already has paid, as well as extend BP's existing three-year probation.In response to reports, BP spokesman Daren Beaudo stated, “Since 2005, we have made substantial investments at Texas City in our people, our work processes, and in upgrading our facilities.”
Sources:
Clanton, Brett. "OSHA questions BP safety." Chron Energy. Houston Chronicle. Web. 24 Sept. 2009.
Lozano, Juan A. "OSHA alleges BP failed to make all required Texas City plant improvements, deadline Wednesday." Breaking News 24/7. 23 Sept. 2009. Web. 24 Sept. 2009.
Cause of death released for worker's death in trench accident in Pocatello
On September 18 and 23rd, we put up two different postings regarding the death of Kelly Smith in Pocatello, ID- Another company gets cited by OSHA...(bit.ly/4xqURc )and Worker dies in tragic trench accident-hazards & stats...(bit.ly/VzH8C ). Smith was killed after a 10-foot deep trench collapsed on him. It has now been released that Smith died from what is called compression asphyxia. In other words, he suffocated to death. Detective Andy Thomas says the amount of dirt that fell on top of this man was equivalent to a dump truck full of dirt. In our original posting, we reported that Smith was working outside of the trench box and that OSHA had to investigate the accident. KPVI News states that the company might face high OSHA fines if "the soil may have been considered class "c" which means the dirt had been dug up before, creating a more unstable working environment."
Sources:
"Cause of Death Released in the Case of a Mountain Home Man who Died in a Trench Accident." KPVI News 6. 23 Sept. 2009. Web. 24 Sept. 2009.
Sources:
"Cause of Death Released in the Case of a Mountain Home Man who Died in a Trench Accident." KPVI News 6. 23 Sept. 2009. Web. 24 Sept. 2009.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
OSHA offers first training course in Guam- Are you interested in OSHA training?
As Guam's military population grows, OSHA recognized the need for more safety training for the island's workers and entrepreneurs. According to Guampdn.com, "eleven people ranging from power plant workers to gas station owners enrolled in a four-day General Industry Regulations training course yesterday." The course covers OSHA's policies, standards and general industry safety principles. This course is the first of its kind that OSHA has offered on the island; it is being provided by the OSHA program provided by Guam Contractors Association Trades Academy.
"The General Safety Regulations course is about helping people to recognize hazards and what they are all about," said Terry Badley, of the Chabot-Las Positas Community College District in California. Badley is the course instructor. "We are trying to provide a safe and helpful workplace from recognized hazards. Everybody needs it," said Badley of the training.
Rully Padios, who has been attending the training since Monday, said he would recommend the course to construction workers."They should offer it more. I have been here for three days, and I learned so much from the instructor," said Padios, a corporate safety manager."It is about learning it and applying it to the job, which is the most important thing," he added.
Are you interested in OSHA training? Located in Arlington Heights, ILL, the OSHA Training Institute provides training and education in occupational safety and health for federal
and state compliance officers, state consultants, other federal agency personnel, and the private sector. OSHA's Outreach Training Program offers training to become an authorized OSHA trainer to teach 10-hour or 30-hour courses in construction, general industry, maritime industry, and disaster sites. Over the past three years, over 1.6 million students have received training through this program. For more information, view the official OSHA website. There are also third party companies that offer OSHA training.
Although there are some very good third party trainers, one must be careful when choosing one due to the increasing numbers of fraudulent trainers.“The use of independent trainers has allowed OSHA to extend its training capabilities significantly,” said Jordan Barab, acting assistant secretary of labor for OSHA. “But OSHA will not tolerate fraudulent activity or unscrupulous trainers when workers’ health and lives may be at stake.” Some suggest that the number of fraudalent trainers has increased due to the OSHA 10-hour card becoming a requirment for gaining employment in some industries and states.
Source:
Heidi. "U.S. Labor Department’s OSHA Strengthens Integrity of Outreach Training Program." Facility Blog. Today's Facility Manager, 15 June 2009. Web. 23 Sept. 2009.
Matthews, Laura. "OSHA conducts safety training course." Guampdn.com. Pacific Daily News. Web. 23 Sept. 2009.
www.osha.gov
"The General Safety Regulations course is about helping people to recognize hazards and what they are all about," said Terry Badley, of the Chabot-Las Positas Community College District in California. Badley is the course instructor. "We are trying to provide a safe and helpful workplace from recognized hazards. Everybody needs it," said Badley of the training.
Rully Padios, who has been attending the training since Monday, said he would recommend the course to construction workers."They should offer it more. I have been here for three days, and I learned so much from the instructor," said Padios, a corporate safety manager."It is about learning it and applying it to the job, which is the most important thing," he added.
Are you interested in OSHA training? Located in Arlington Heights, ILL, the OSHA Training Institute provides training and education in occupational safety and health for federal
and state compliance officers, state consultants, other federal agency personnel, and the private sector. OSHA's Outreach Training Program offers training to become an authorized OSHA trainer to teach 10-hour or 30-hour courses in construction, general industry, maritime industry, and disaster sites. Over the past three years, over 1.6 million students have received training through this program. For more information, view the official OSHA website. There are also third party companies that offer OSHA training.Although there are some very good third party trainers, one must be careful when choosing one due to the increasing numbers of fraudulent trainers.“The use of independent trainers has allowed OSHA to extend its training capabilities significantly,” said Jordan Barab, acting assistant secretary of labor for OSHA. “But OSHA will not tolerate fraudulent activity or unscrupulous trainers when workers’ health and lives may be at stake.” Some suggest that the number of fraudalent trainers has increased due to the OSHA 10-hour card becoming a requirment for gaining employment in some industries and states.
Source:
Heidi. "U.S. Labor Department’s OSHA Strengthens Integrity of Outreach Training Program." Facility Blog. Today's Facility Manager, 15 June 2009. Web. 23 Sept. 2009.
Matthews, Laura. "OSHA conducts safety training course." Guampdn.com. Pacific Daily News. Web. 23 Sept. 2009.
www.osha.gov
OSHA cites Toys R Us for exit access hazards in Brooklyn, NY
OSHA has proposed $69,000 in fines against Toys R Us for 10 alleged repeat and serious violations of workplace safety standards following an inspection of the toy retailer's store at 8973-95 Bay Parkway in Brooklyn.OSHA's inspection found hazards that could impede the swift exit of workers from the store in the event of a fire or other emergency. These included obstructed exit access, missing or defective exit doors, an exit door that was painted over and could not be opened, improper or inadequate exit signage, employees not trained in fire extinguisher use and all fire extinguishers not kept in their required locations.
"It is vital that emergency exit routes be available and properly marked at all times," said Kay Gee, OSHA's acting area director in Manhattan. "There can be no delay in exiting a workplace during a fire or other emergency when the difference between escape and injury or death can be measured in seconds."
The store also has been cited for damaged storage racks that were prone to collapse, aisles not kept clear for mechanical handling equipment, an inadequately covered floor hole and failure to certify that workers had been trained in the proper operation of motorized hand trucks.
OSHA has issued Toys R Us three repeat citations with $50,000 in proposed fines, for the obstructed exit route, blocked aisle and damaged storage racks, as it had cited the company in 2006 and 2007 for similar hazards at stores in Parma, Ohio, and Watchung, N.J. Seven serious citations with $19,000 in fines have been issued for the remaining items. OSHA issues serious citations when death or serious physical harm is likely to result from hazards about which the employer knew or should have known.
"One way to prevent recurring hazards is to implement an effective safety and health management system through which employers and employees work together continuously to assess, identify and eliminate hazardous conditions," said Robert Kulick, OSHA's regional administrator in New York.
Sources:
www.osha.gov citations
Another company gets cited by OSHA for not protecting workers in trenches
Another company gets cited for not properly protecting employees working in trenches in Oklahoma. How many more workers need to die in trenches for companies to get the hint? Look here for our last blog posting on the tragic results of not implementing trench safety: http://bit.ly/VzH8C "Worker dies in tragic trench accident- hazards & stats of dangerous trench work"
From Associated Press 7 News: The U.S. Department of Labor has proposed $142,800 in penalties against a construction company for not properly protecting employees working in trenches in Drummond.
OSHA said Tuesday it found violations at two construction sites operated by Enid-based Luckinbill Inc. OSHA found violations including failure to properly slope soil so it would not collapse inward and failure to ensure employees were wearing high visibility vests. Hector Covarrubias, safety manager for Luckinbill, did not immediately return a call for comment.
UPDATE: Just a week ago, on the 16th, another worker lost his life while working in a trench. A construction worker was killed, in Pocatello, ID, after a 10-foot deep trench collapsed and
buried the man alive while working on a sewer line project. Kelly Smith, the worker, was working just eight feet away from a trench box, designed to keep workers safe, when the trench collapsed and buried the worker alive. If a trench box was in place, how did the trench collapse? Three other workers were nearby that called for help but it was too late. The man was buried for two hours before rescue crews could get him out.
Sources:
Associated Press-7News
JusticeNewsFlash- Pocatello, ID construction worker buried alive!
From Associated Press 7 News: The U.S. Department of Labor has proposed $142,800 in penalties against a construction company for not properly protecting employees working in trenches in Drummond.
OSHA said Tuesday it found violations at two construction sites operated by Enid-based Luckinbill Inc. OSHA found violations including failure to properly slope soil so it would not collapse inward and failure to ensure employees were wearing high visibility vests. Hector Covarrubias, safety manager for Luckinbill, did not immediately return a call for comment.
UPDATE: Just a week ago, on the 16th, another worker lost his life while working in a trench. A construction worker was killed, in Pocatello, ID, after a 10-foot deep trench collapsed and
buried the man alive while working on a sewer line project. Kelly Smith, the worker, was working just eight feet away from a trench box, designed to keep workers safe, when the trench collapsed and buried the worker alive. If a trench box was in place, how did the trench collapse? Three other workers were nearby that called for help but it was too late. The man was buried for two hours before rescue crews could get him out.Sources:
Associated Press-7News
JusticeNewsFlash- Pocatello, ID construction worker buried alive!
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
The importance of machine guarding- Is your company protecting workers?
Workers who operate and maintain machinery suffer approximately 18,000 amputations, lacerations, crushing injuries, abrasions, and over 800 deaths per year. During the period 1996-97, amputation injuries were the most costly worker claims by nature of injury, averaging $18,120 per claim. OSHA states that the purpose of machine guarding is to protect the machine operator and other employees in the work area from hazards created by ingoing nip points, rotating parts, flying chips & sparks. Statistics reveal that three out of every ten lost-time 
injuries involve the hands and arms, and almost ten percent of all disabling injuries are caused by machinery (EHS Emory). According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics,two-thirds of all nonfatal workplace amputations reported in 1999 resulted from workers being caught in or compressed by equipment. More specifically, 44 percent of all nonfatal amputations resulted from workers being caught in running equipment or machinery, with 72 percent of these cases occurring in manufacturing.
According to the Environmental Health and Safety Office, at Emory University, guards should have the following characteristics:
1. Prevent contact: Safeguard must prevent hands, arms, or any other part of a worker's body from making contact with dangerous moving parts. A guard should not only prevent accidental contact but should prevent workers from intentionally bypassing the guard.
2. Be secure: The guard can't be easily removable. The guard should be of durable material and most should be bolted on.
3. Create no new hazards: The guards themselves should not create new hazards.
4. Create no interference: A good guard should allow the employee to work comfortably and efficiently.
4.Allow safe maintenance: Guards should be designed to allow minor maintenance on machines without removing the guards or being exposed to the hazard. If it has to be removed, lock-out procedures must be followed.
Although companies should place machine guarding as a priority; there are many that still aren't willing to invest in safety equipment to protect their workers. Just yesterday, OSHA proposed $79,000 in fines to Danbury, Conn., manufacturer for machine guarding and lockout/tagout hazards. OSHA's inspection found numerous instances of unguarded or inadequately guarded moving parts and switches on power presses and other
machinery. The absence of such guarding exposes employees to crushing, laceration and amputation injuries."The bulk of these citations address inadequate safeguards to prevent employees from being caught in the moving parts of machinery due to a lack of guarding against contact with those moving parts or the absence of procedures to prevent machines from unexpectedly starting up during servicing or maintenance," said Robert Kowalski, OSHA's area director in Bridgeport. Out of the 22 alleged offenses, 17 of them were considered serious citations by OSHA. OSHA issues serious citations when death or serious physical harm is likely to result from hazards about which the employer knew or should have known.
injuries involve the hands and arms, and almost ten percent of all disabling injuries are caused by machinery (EHS Emory). According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics,two-thirds of all nonfatal workplace amputations reported in 1999 resulted from workers being caught in or compressed by equipment. More specifically, 44 percent of all nonfatal amputations resulted from workers being caught in running equipment or machinery, with 72 percent of these cases occurring in manufacturing.According to the Environmental Health and Safety Office, at Emory University, guards should have the following characteristics:
1. Prevent contact: Safeguard must prevent hands, arms, or any other part of a worker's body from making contact with dangerous moving parts. A guard should not only prevent accidental contact but should prevent workers from intentionally bypassing the guard.
2. Be secure: The guard can't be easily removable. The guard should be of durable material and most should be bolted on.
3. Create no new hazards: The guards themselves should not create new hazards.
4. Create no interference: A good guard should allow the employee to work comfortably and efficiently.
4.Allow safe maintenance: Guards should be designed to allow minor maintenance on machines without removing the guards or being exposed to the hazard. If it has to be removed, lock-out procedures must be followed.
Although companies should place machine guarding as a priority; there are many that still aren't willing to invest in safety equipment to protect their workers. Just yesterday, OSHA proposed $79,000 in fines to Danbury, Conn., manufacturer for machine guarding and lockout/tagout hazards. OSHA's inspection found numerous instances of unguarded or inadequately guarded moving parts and switches on power presses and other
machinery. The absence of such guarding exposes employees to crushing, laceration and amputation injuries."The bulk of these citations address inadequate safeguards to prevent employees from being caught in the moving parts of machinery due to a lack of guarding against contact with those moving parts or the absence of procedures to prevent machines from unexpectedly starting up during servicing or maintenance," said Robert Kowalski, OSHA's area director in Bridgeport. Out of the 22 alleged offenses, 17 of them were considered serious citations by OSHA. OSHA issues serious citations when death or serious physical harm is likely to result from hazards about which the employer knew or should have known. Sources:
"Safety Toolbox Training- Machine Guarding." Emory University Environmental Health and Safety Office, Apr. 2009. Web. 22 Sept. 2009.
Monday, September 21, 2009
Son's death promps parents to campaign for workplace safety improvements- "Rob's Law"
On June 3rd 2008, Robert Augeri, age 31, died while working on the highway paving job for Brox Industries of Dracut, Mass., which contracted the Interstate 495 job from the Massachusetts Highway Department. Augeri was killed when a mack dump truck backed into him in the closed left travel lane. A dual investigation by the Massachusetts State Police and OSHA was done after the accident; OSHA cited Brox Indistries and Lewis Maynard Trucking for the accident and fines were imposed following the investigation.
"This should never have happened," Janet Augeri said of her son's accidental death on June 3, 2008 — his 31st birthday. Follwing her son's death, Janet, her husband, and Augeri's widow and four kids are campaigning for new rules to improve workplace safety. Rob's Law, the new law they're campaigning for, would require trucks to be outfitted with rear motion sensors and other safety devices, including day/night rearview cameras. This type of equipment is already out on the market. Although trucks are currently required to have back-up beeps, Janet explained that in busy situations, like working at night on the highway, the back-up beep from vehicles is like "white noise." Janet also said that, "The public isn't aware that workers can't hear these beeps with all the outside traffic and other machinery noises."
"The current OSHA laws are 38 years old and must be changed," Janet said. Reversebackingsystems.com gives some backing accident statistics:
-A reversing accident occurs every 1.6 minutes in this country. In the U.S., every year, over 300,000 backing accidents are reported, and that doesn't include the unreported accidents.
-Every year, more than 400 people die because of backing accidents (most of them young children.)
-Drivers must pay over 1.3 billion dollars a year for the damages. "Most of these accidents could have been prevented by even the simplest of backing safety systems!"
Sources:
Laurent, Suzanne. "Family asking for support for 'Rob's Law' at Derryfest." Derry News. 17 Sept. 2009. Web. 21 Sept. 2009.
Sullivan, Margo, and Jim Patten. "Father from Londonderry dies in construction accident." The Eagle-Tribune online. 4 June 2008. Web. 21 Sept. 2009.
"Backing Accident Statistics." Reverse Backing Systems. Web. 21 Sept. 2009.
"This should never have happened," Janet Augeri said of her son's accidental death on June 3, 2008 — his 31st birthday. Follwing her son's death, Janet, her husband, and Augeri's widow and four kids are campaigning for new rules to improve workplace safety. Rob's Law, the new law they're campaigning for, would require trucks to be outfitted with rear motion sensors and other safety devices, including day/night rearview cameras. This type of equipment is already out on the market. Although trucks are currently required to have back-up beeps, Janet explained that in busy situations, like working at night on the highway, the back-up beep from vehicles is like "white noise." Janet also said that, "The public isn't aware that workers can't hear these beeps with all the outside traffic and other machinery noises."
"The current OSHA laws are 38 years old and must be changed," Janet said. Reversebackingsystems.com gives some backing accident statistics:
-A reversing accident occurs every 1.6 minutes in this country. In the U.S., every year, over 300,000 backing accidents are reported, and that doesn't include the unreported accidents.
-Every year, more than 400 people die because of backing accidents (most of them young children.)
-Drivers must pay over 1.3 billion dollars a year for the damages. "Most of these accidents could have been prevented by even the simplest of backing safety systems!"
Sources:
Laurent, Suzanne. "Family asking for support for 'Rob's Law' at Derryfest." Derry News. 17 Sept. 2009. Web. 21 Sept. 2009.
Sullivan, Margo, and Jim Patten. "Father from Londonderry dies in construction accident." The Eagle-Tribune online. 4 June 2008. Web. 21 Sept. 2009.
"Backing Accident Statistics." Reverse Backing Systems. Web. 21 Sept. 2009.
Worker falls into a 27-foot-deep hole.
From JusticeNewsFlash.com:
Grand Rapids, MI— A construction worker was injured at a city of Grand Rapids jobsite, when a part of a 27-foot-deep hole caved in underneath the worker. The worker was installing a sewer pipe when the accident happened. The workplace accident happened on Wednesday, September 16, 2009 around 8:00 a.m.
According to police officials, a construction worker was installing a sewer pipe in a 27-foot-deep hole at a city of Grand Rapids project, when flowing water around the hole caused a chunk of clay soil to loosen, and collapse under the worker. The unidentified worker fell into the hole, and the collapsing soil around him hit his leg, and may have possibly broke the worker’s leg. The clay did not bury the injured worker, but the worker’s injured leg kept him from climbing out of the hole. Responding fire department crews had to used extradition equipment to help pull the worker out of the hole. The injured worker was transported by area emergency medical services (EMS) crews to the Spectrum Health Butterworth hospital for treatment of his leg injury. OSHA is expected to conduct a full investigation into the workplace accident.
Grand Rapids, MI— A construction worker was injured at a city of Grand Rapids jobsite, when a part of a 27-foot-deep hole caved in underneath the worker. The worker was installing a sewer pipe when the accident happened. The workplace accident happened on Wednesday, September 16, 2009 around 8:00 a.m.
According to police officials, a construction worker was installing a sewer pipe in a 27-foot-deep hole at a city of Grand Rapids project, when flowing water around the hole caused a chunk of clay soil to loosen, and collapse under the worker. The unidentified worker fell into the hole, and the collapsing soil around him hit his leg, and may have possibly broke the worker’s leg. The clay did not bury the injured worker, but the worker’s injured leg kept him from climbing out of the hole. Responding fire department crews had to used extradition equipment to help pull the worker out of the hole. The injured worker was transported by area emergency medical services (EMS) crews to the Spectrum Health Butterworth hospital for treatment of his leg injury. OSHA is expected to conduct a full investigation into the workplace accident.
OSHA cites Precision Hose, a metal hose manufacturing plant
Precision Hose, a metal hose manufacturing plant in Stone Mountain, Ga., that employs about 55 workers, just got cited by OSHA. OSHA is proposing $58,887 in penalties for 44 safety and health violations.
OSHA found 29 serious safety violations including fall hazards, tripping hazards, electrical hazards and a lack of machine guards. Employees operated forklifts without training and operated an overhead crane that had not been inspected recently with controls in need of repair. Flashback protection was not provided for the welding equipment, and oxygen and acetylene cylinders were stored together in the fabrication area. Proposed penalties total $38,000 for these safety violations.
The agency is proposing $15,887 in penalties for 10 serious health violations including noise hazards and a lack of eyewash or shower stations near where employees were exposed to corrosive materials. The employer lacked a respiratory protection program, and workers used respirators incorrectly and without adequate training. The company had failed to develop an adequate hazard communication program.
The company is being cited with two other-than-serious health violations with $4,000 in proposed penalties and three other-than-serious safety violations with $1,000 in proposed penalties. The employer failed to maintain the required OSHA logs, failed to conduct daily inspections of powered industrial trucks, had not attached a load rating capacity to its storage racks and did not make first aid treatment readily available to workers when needed.
"If Precision Hose had implemented a comprehensive workplace safety and health program by taking advantage of the resources that OSHA makes available to smaller employers, it could have avoided these penalties, and its workers would not have been exposed to these hazards," said Gei-Thae Breezley, director of OSHA's Atlanta-East Area Office.
Sources:
www.osha.gov
OSHA found 29 serious safety violations including fall hazards, tripping hazards, electrical hazards and a lack of machine guards. Employees operated forklifts without training and operated an overhead crane that had not been inspected recently with controls in need of repair. Flashback protection was not provided for the welding equipment, and oxygen and acetylene cylinders were stored together in the fabrication area. Proposed penalties total $38,000 for these safety violations.
The agency is proposing $15,887 in penalties for 10 serious health violations including noise hazards and a lack of eyewash or shower stations near where employees were exposed to corrosive materials. The employer lacked a respiratory protection program, and workers used respirators incorrectly and without adequate training. The company had failed to develop an adequate hazard communication program.
The company is being cited with two other-than-serious health violations with $4,000 in proposed penalties and three other-than-serious safety violations with $1,000 in proposed penalties. The employer failed to maintain the required OSHA logs, failed to conduct daily inspections of powered industrial trucks, had not attached a load rating capacity to its storage racks and did not make first aid treatment readily available to workers when needed.
"If Precision Hose had implemented a comprehensive workplace safety and health program by taking advantage of the resources that OSHA makes available to smaller employers, it could have avoided these penalties, and its workers would not have been exposed to these hazards," said Gei-Thae Breezley, director of OSHA's Atlanta-East Area Office.
Sources:
www.osha.gov
Recent murder of Yale student increases concern on workplace violence
Since the recent murder of Annie Le, a Yale student, concerns and awareness of workplace violence have increased. After announcing the arrest of suspect Raymond Clark III for Anni Le's murder, New Haven, Conn., Police Chief James Lewis said “It is important to note that this is not about urban crime, university crime, domestic crime, but an issue of workplace violence, which is becoming a growing concern around the country.” There are reports that police are considering whether the killing may have stemmed from a workplace dispute between Le and Clark.
According to OSHA, homicide is the fourth-leading cause of work-related deaths in the U.S.; Nearly 1,000 workers are murdered and 1.5 million are assaulted every year." But sometimes, the people that we work with can be our highest risk," Cillo said. "So it's something we really need to take care of before it blows up in our face." Nina Cillo with the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay says a troubled economy simply stirs up issues within some people. "And when people get agitated, we see a rise in suicide, we see a rise in domestic violence, and we see a rise in workplace violence," Cillo said.
Quick statistics on workplace violence:
-There were 16,840 nonfatal workplace assaults or other violent acts in 2007, the most recent year available, up 15.6 percent from 2005.
-Women were twice as likely as men to be attacked on the job.
-Work-related homicides have fallen 52 percent since 1994 to about 507 last year
-Many workplace experts believe overall violence has been rising because of the recession.“Since 2008 there has been a rise in workplace violence due to increasing pressure in the workplace,” said Sara Begley with Reed Smith, a law firm representing employers. “Drastic reductions in force, fewer people to perform same workload, no bonuses, economic downturn, lost 401(k) accounts.”
"Many workplace advocates believe the number of workers being assaulted on the job is underreported by the Labor Department, which mainly tracks private sector jobs."
Sources:
Dinh, Elizabeth. "Workplace violence: a growing problem." Abc Action News. 20 Sept. 2009. Web. 21 Sept. 2009.
Tahmincioglu, Eve. "Yale case shines light on workplace violence." Msnbc.com. 20 Sept. 2009. Web. 21 Sept. 2009.
According to OSHA, homicide is the fourth-leading cause of work-related deaths in the U.S.; Nearly 1,000 workers are murdered and 1.5 million are assaulted every year." But sometimes, the people that we work with can be our highest risk," Cillo said. "So it's something we really need to take care of before it blows up in our face." Nina Cillo with the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay says a troubled economy simply stirs up issues within some people. "And when people get agitated, we see a rise in suicide, we see a rise in domestic violence, and we see a rise in workplace violence," Cillo said.
Quick statistics on workplace violence:
-There were 16,840 nonfatal workplace assaults or other violent acts in 2007, the most recent year available, up 15.6 percent from 2005.
-Women were twice as likely as men to be attacked on the job.
-Work-related homicides have fallen 52 percent since 1994 to about 507 last year
-Many workplace experts believe overall violence has been rising because of the recession.“Since 2008 there has been a rise in workplace violence due to increasing pressure in the workplace,” said Sara Begley with Reed Smith, a law firm representing employers. “Drastic reductions in force, fewer people to perform same workload, no bonuses, economic downturn, lost 401(k) accounts.”
"Many workplace advocates believe the number of workers being assaulted on the job is underreported by the Labor Department, which mainly tracks private sector jobs."
Sources:
Dinh, Elizabeth. "Workplace violence: a growing problem." Abc Action News. 20 Sept. 2009. Web. 21 Sept. 2009.
Tahmincioglu, Eve. "Yale case shines light on workplace violence." Msnbc.com. 20 Sept. 2009. Web. 21 Sept. 2009.
Friday, September 18, 2009
Worker dies in tragic trench accident- hazards & stats of dangerous trench work
On September 16, Kelly Smith, 32, died after a sewer line trench he was working in collapsed in Pocatello. According to Mountain Homes News, construction crews from Bowman Plumbing were working on a sewer line in a 10-foot-deep trench when a portion caved in. Smith was working outside of a 10-foot-deep trench box, which provides 
protection in an emergency. The area where the collapse occurred did not have any safety devices employed. Since Smith was working outside of the trench box, OSHA needs to determine if the company is to blamed. Is it possible that the worker was in an area where he was told not to work or did the company, in ignorance, put him to work there without the proper safety protection/equipment? Although numerous emergency responders arrived on scene shorty after the accident, the man could not be revived after CPR was performed. It is reported that OSHA is already investigating the accident. According to Pocatello Assistant Fire Chief Mike Williams, emergency responders spent approximately two hours attempting to dig the man out of the dirt.
Trench work can be extremely dangerous if the correct safety precautious aren't taken seriously. The following statistics are from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.
1. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data shows that 271 workers died in trenching or excavation cave-ins from 2000 through 2006.
2. A review of multiple national databases by NIOSH researchers found that trenching and excavation hazards during construction activities resulted in 488 deaths between 1992 and 2000 - an average of 54 fatalities each year.
3. Sixty-eight percent of those fatalities occurred in companies with fewer than 50 workers.
4. Forty-six percent of the deaths occurred in small companies with 10 or fewer workers.
Hazards associated with trench work and excavation are recognized and preventable, yet injuries and fatalities associated with these hazards continue to occur (NIOSH)."
protection in an emergency. The area where the collapse occurred did not have any safety devices employed. Since Smith was working outside of the trench box, OSHA needs to determine if the company is to blamed. Is it possible that the worker was in an area where he was told not to work or did the company, in ignorance, put him to work there without the proper safety protection/equipment? Although numerous emergency responders arrived on scene shorty after the accident, the man could not be revived after CPR was performed. It is reported that OSHA is already investigating the accident. According to Pocatello Assistant Fire Chief Mike Williams, emergency responders spent approximately two hours attempting to dig the man out of the dirt.Trench work can be extremely dangerous if the correct safety precautious aren't taken seriously. The following statistics are from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.
1. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data shows that 271 workers died in trenching or excavation cave-ins from 2000 through 2006.
2. A review of multiple national databases by NIOSH researchers found that trenching and excavation hazards during construction activities resulted in 488 deaths between 1992 and 2000 - an average of 54 fatalities each year.
3. Sixty-eight percent of those fatalities occurred in companies with fewer than 50 workers.
4. Forty-six percent of the deaths occurred in small companies with 10 or fewer workers.
Hazards associated with trench work and excavation are recognized and preventable, yet injuries and fatalities associated with these hazards continue to occur (NIOSH)."
The following link http://bit.ly/1lzJ1f is provided by The Center to Protect Worker's Right. It's a very good resouce that outlines the hazards of working with trenches and gives excellent safety tips.
Sources:"Trenching and Excavation." National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. 18 Feb. 2009. Web. 18 Sept. 2009. http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/trenching/ "Mountain Home man dies in Pocatello trench accident." Mountain Home News. 16 Sept. 2009. Web. 18 Sept. 2009. http://www.mountainhomenews.com/story/1570897.html
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Update: 2008 New York fatal crane accident kills 7- OSHA finally issues citations
On August 10, we posted "Crane Operation: Safety is a Must! (http://bit.ly/Z0nrb)" In that posting we discussed the tragic crane accident that took the lives of six construction workers and one bystander on March 15, 2008 in New York City. After investigating, OSHA has recently issued citations totaling $313,500 for alleged violations of safety standards in connection with the fatal crane collapse.
Cited were the crane's erector, the project's general contractor, and the project's concrete and superstructure contractor. The crane erector was cited for alleged problems associated with rigging the crane and lack of fall protection, while the contractors were cited for lack of fall protection, fire protection, and other hazards unrelated to the crane collapse.
The crane erector has been issued three willful citations with penalties totaling $210,000 for allegedly failing, among other things, to comply with the crane manufacturer's specifications and limitations when erecting and raising the tower crane, to protect synthetic rigging slings from damage, to inspect the slings for damage or defects before use, and to remove a defective sling from service. The company has also been issued five serious citations, with $10,000 in proposed fines for fall hazards. Employees working on the crane's mast and at the edge of the 18th floor level and other areas lacked proper fall protection. Penalties proposed against the company total $220,000.
The general contractor has been issued one repeat and 14 serious citations with proposed penalties totaling $74,000. The repeat citation alleges the lack of fall protection for employees working 180 feet above the ground. OSHA cited the contractor in March 2007 for a similar hazard at a Mt. Pleasant, New York, worksite. The serious citations allege failure to train employees in jobsite hazards, unsafe work area debris, fire hazards, fall hazards, unsafe material storage, and hazards created by the eccentric loading of concrete shoring and formwork.
The concrete and superstructure contractor has been issued 11 serious citations with a total of $19,500 in proposed penalties. The citations allege failure to train employees in jobsite hazards, unsafe work area debris, fire hazards, fall hazards, and hazards created by the eccentric loading of concrete shoring and formwork.
Sources:
Data & article from: http://www.safety.blr.com/ "OSHA Citations Issued in Connection with Fatal NYC Crane Collapse." 16 Sept. 2009. Web. 17 Sept. 2009.
Cited were the crane's erector, the project's general contractor, and the project's concrete and superstructure contractor. The crane erector was cited for alleged problems associated with rigging the crane and lack of fall protection, while the contractors were cited for lack of fall protection, fire protection, and other hazards unrelated to the crane collapse.
The crane erector has been issued three willful citations with penalties totaling $210,000 for allegedly failing, among other things, to comply with the crane manufacturer's specifications and limitations when erecting and raising the tower crane, to protect synthetic rigging slings from damage, to inspect the slings for damage or defects before use, and to remove a defective sling from service. The company has also been issued five serious citations, with $10,000 in proposed fines for fall hazards. Employees working on the crane's mast and at the edge of the 18th floor level and other areas lacked proper fall protection. Penalties proposed against the company total $220,000.
The general contractor has been issued one repeat and 14 serious citations with proposed penalties totaling $74,000. The repeat citation alleges the lack of fall protection for employees working 180 feet above the ground. OSHA cited the contractor in March 2007 for a similar hazard at a Mt. Pleasant, New York, worksite. The serious citations allege failure to train employees in jobsite hazards, unsafe work area debris, fire hazards, fall hazards, unsafe material storage, and hazards created by the eccentric loading of concrete shoring and formwork.
The concrete and superstructure contractor has been issued 11 serious citations with a total of $19,500 in proposed penalties. The citations allege failure to train employees in jobsite hazards, unsafe work area debris, fire hazards, fall hazards, and hazards created by the eccentric loading of concrete shoring and formwork.
Sources:
Data & article from: http://www.safety.blr.com/ "OSHA Citations Issued in Connection with Fatal NYC Crane Collapse." 16 Sept. 2009. Web. 17 Sept. 2009.
OSHA levies proposed $32,700 fine on ExxonMobil for refinery death
On April 11, Nelson Tan, 49, of Cerritos, suffered second and third degree burns over 85 percent of his body when he was struck by a blast of boiling water and steam that shot 25 feet out of a piece of equipment while he was working at the ExxonMobil refinery.
Following the incident, OSHA has recently cited ExxonMobil for two serious violations and one general violation that resulted in death of Nelson Tan. A proposed fine of $32,700 has been levied on the ExxonMobil refinery for the scalding death of Tan. He was taken to Torrance Memorial Medical Center after the accident; he died about five hours later in the burn unit.
"We deeply regret the death of employee Nelson Tan," said ExxonMobil refinery spokeswoman Carolin Keith. "Safety is our first priority and the loss of life at our facility is not acceptable under any circumstances.
"We have fully cooperated with the Cal-OSHA investigation and, while I cannot comment on the individual citations because they're under review, I can assure you we take OSHA's findings very seriously. We will consider an appeal only after we have completed our review of the citations, and that's ongoing at this time."
Sources:
Green, Nick. "Cal-OSHA levies proposed $32,700 fine on ExxonMobil for refinery death." Dailybreeze.com. 16 Sept. 2009. Web. 17 Sept. 2009.
Following the incident, OSHA has recently cited ExxonMobil for two serious violations and one general violation that resulted in death of Nelson Tan. A proposed fine of $32,700 has been levied on the ExxonMobil refinery for the scalding death of Tan. He was taken to Torrance Memorial Medical Center after the accident; he died about five hours later in the burn unit.
"We deeply regret the death of employee Nelson Tan," said ExxonMobil refinery spokeswoman Carolin Keith. "Safety is our first priority and the loss of life at our facility is not acceptable under any circumstances.
"We have fully cooperated with the Cal-OSHA investigation and, while I cannot comment on the individual citations because they're under review, I can assure you we take OSHA's findings very seriously. We will consider an appeal only after we have completed our review of the citations, and that's ongoing at this time."
Sources:
Green, Nick. "Cal-OSHA levies proposed $32,700 fine on ExxonMobil for refinery death." Dailybreeze.com. 16 Sept. 2009. Web. 17 Sept. 2009.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Fatal Forklift Accident at Concord recycling plant: How much do you know about forklift safety?
The Concord Monitor is reporting that a man was trapped under a forklift and killed last night in an accident at a Concord recycling plant, though police and fire officials wouldn't say how it happened. Concord Fire Battalion Chief Aaron McIntire said that when emergency responders got there the man had suffered "crushing injuries." Fire Chief Dan Andrus said the department sent an engine, ambulance and ladder truck. They found the man dead and "cleared the scene in 30 minutes," he said.
The Advanced Recycling plant is run by Schnitzer Steel Industries Inc., a metals recycling business that takes in scrap metal, then sorts, shears, shreds, torches and bales it, sending the processed product off to steel mills. The police department and OSHA will be in charge of the investigation.
On September 3, we put up a post titled "Forklift accident leads to third worker
death in Mass. area in one week." Here we discussed that the OSHA website states that every year, tens of thousands of injuries related to forklifts occur in US workplaces. Many employees are injured when lift trucks are inadvertently driven off loading docks, lifts fall between docks and an unsecured trailer, they are struck by a lift truck, or when they fall while on elevated pallets and tines. Because forklifts are so common on work sites, many workers don't realize how dangerous they can be!
“Driving a forklift requires special skills and knowledge,” said Benjamin Mangan, president and founder of MANCOMM, Davenport, IA. MANCOMM develops and provides OSHA compliance safety products and training for general industry and construction. He states “It scares me, how little training some forklift operators receive. It’s every company’s responsibility to make sure their forklift operators are properly trained and certified before they ever get to run a forklift in the workplace.”
Take the following quiz at this link to see how much you know about forklift safety! http://bit.ly/Hav1R
Sources:
Hanna, Maddie. "Fatal accident at recycling plant." Conrod Monitor. 16 Sept. 2009. Web. http://www.cmonitor.com/
"How much do you know about forklift safety? (Quiz)." PlantServices.com. 14 July 2005. Web. 16 Sept. 2009.
The Advanced Recycling plant is run by Schnitzer Steel Industries Inc., a metals recycling business that takes in scrap metal, then sorts, shears, shreds, torches and bales it, sending the processed product off to steel mills. The police department and OSHA will be in charge of the investigation.
On September 3, we put up a post titled "Forklift accident leads to third worker
death in Mass. area in one week." Here we discussed that the OSHA website states that every year, tens of thousands of injuries related to forklifts occur in US workplaces. Many employees are injured when lift trucks are inadvertently driven off loading docks, lifts fall between docks and an unsecured trailer, they are struck by a lift truck, or when they fall while on elevated pallets and tines. Because forklifts are so common on work sites, many workers don't realize how dangerous they can be!“Driving a forklift requires special skills and knowledge,” said Benjamin Mangan, president and founder of MANCOMM, Davenport, IA. MANCOMM develops and provides OSHA compliance safety products and training for general industry and construction. He states “It scares me, how little training some forklift operators receive. It’s every company’s responsibility to make sure their forklift operators are properly trained and certified before they ever get to run a forklift in the workplace.”
Take the following quiz at this link to see how much you know about forklift safety! http://bit.ly/Hav1R
Sources:
Hanna, Maddie. "Fatal accident at recycling plant." Conrod Monitor. 16 Sept. 2009. Web. http://www.cmonitor.com/
"How much do you know about forklift safety? (Quiz)." PlantServices.com. 14 July 2005. Web. 16 Sept. 2009.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Conservatives criticize Obama's OSHA nominee: "Conservatives hunt for next Van Jones"
A recent article on The Washington Times called "Conservatives hunt for next Van Jones" states, "Emboldened by the ouster of presidential adviser Van Jones,conservative and business groups are launching fresh challenges aimed at derailing President Obama's nominees." One of these main targets being David Michaels, Pres. Obama's pick to head OSHA.
What has started the criticism this time? It seems that Michaels, who as an academic, published a book attacking corporate executives for the tactics they used to fight class-action lawsuits. Republican critics said they considered Michaels to be too close to trial lawyers because of his aggressive advocacy on their behalf. Strong criticism aimed at Mr. Michaels follows a pattern that began with the case of Cass Sunstein, who last week was confirmed by the Senate as the White House's top regulator. It turns out that Mr. Sunstein has displayed very strong views on on animal rights and organ donations. Criticism grew as Michael's writings on tactics that corporations have used to fend off class-action lawsuits and a paper on his strong views about the perils of gun ownership surfaced on the web.
"We are definitely troubled by Michaels' nomination," said Keith Smith, the director of employment and labor policy and the National Association of Manufacturers. "We will be urging the Senate committee to carefully review his nomination." A lot of the concern has been based largely on Michael's writings on the role of scientific evidence in class-action lawsuits. "The problem is that his approach in every case seemed to be to paint employers as a whole as malevolent actors." "That is not a quality that the business community would like in someone responsible for policing workplace safety," he added.
Grover Norquist, founder of the conservative advocacy group Americans for Tax Reform has also displayed strong objections towards Michael's nomination. "These are not the appointees of an unassuming, moderate, non-ideological guy. These are people with very extreme views."
"Mr. Michaels is a nationally recognized leader in efforts to ensure the integrity of the science underpinning public health and environmental regulation. These accusations are simply ridiculous and false," White House spokesman Thomas Vietor said. The article also states that Mr. Michaels did not respond to telephone and e-mail messages, but White House officials said the attacks leveled at Mr. Michaels and Mr. Sunstein have been strictly partisan, and nothing like those directed at Mr. Jones.
It is still unsure if Michaels will be appointed. The Senate committee that will handle his confirmation hearings has not scheduled the proceedings. The president's supporters said Monday they will not sit back idly if they see attempts to torpedo Mr. Obama's nominees.
The full article can be found on http://bit.ly/YYzpr
What has started the criticism this time? It seems that Michaels, who as an academic, published a book attacking corporate executives for the tactics they used to fight class-action lawsuits. Republican critics said they considered Michaels to be too close to trial lawyers because of his aggressive advocacy on their behalf. Strong criticism aimed at Mr. Michaels follows a pattern that began with the case of Cass Sunstein, who last week was confirmed by the Senate as the White House's top regulator. It turns out that Mr. Sunstein has displayed very strong views on on animal rights and organ donations. Criticism grew as Michael's writings on tactics that corporations have used to fend off class-action lawsuits and a paper on his strong views about the perils of gun ownership surfaced on the web.
"We are definitely troubled by Michaels' nomination," said Keith Smith, the director of employment and labor policy and the National Association of Manufacturers. "We will be urging the Senate committee to carefully review his nomination." A lot of the concern has been based largely on Michael's writings on the role of scientific evidence in class-action lawsuits. "The problem is that his approach in every case seemed to be to paint employers as a whole as malevolent actors." "That is not a quality that the business community would like in someone responsible for policing workplace safety," he added.
Grover Norquist, founder of the conservative advocacy group Americans for Tax Reform has also displayed strong objections towards Michael's nomination. "These are not the appointees of an unassuming, moderate, non-ideological guy. These are people with very extreme views."
"Mr. Michaels is a nationally recognized leader in efforts to ensure the integrity of the science underpinning public health and environmental regulation. These accusations are simply ridiculous and false," White House spokesman Thomas Vietor said. The article also states that Mr. Michaels did not respond to telephone and e-mail messages, but White House officials said the attacks leveled at Mr. Michaels and Mr. Sunstein have been strictly partisan, and nothing like those directed at Mr. Jones.
It is still unsure if Michaels will be appointed. The Senate committee that will handle his confirmation hearings has not scheduled the proceedings. The president's supporters said Monday they will not sit back idly if they see attempts to torpedo Mr. Obama's nominees.
The full article can be found on http://bit.ly/YYzpr
Cal/OSHA Approves ANSI as Accreditor of Crane Operator Certification Bodies
The California Division of OSHA has approved the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) as an official accreditation body of crane operator certification bodies. In California, crane operator CBs are required to be accredited by a Cal/OSHA-approved AB.
“ANSI is honored to have been accepted as a Cal/OSHA-approved accreditation body,” said Roy Swift, Ph.D., senior director for ANSI’s personnel credentialing accreditation programs. “This recognition is just the latest example of the Institute’s successful track record in accrediting personnel certification programs across a wide variety of industries.”
“The Institute’s acceptance by Cal/OSHA as an official accreditation body of crane operator certification bodies is a reflection of the phenomenal growth and quality of our accreditation services. ANSI’s name recognition, the proven reliability of the programs, and the growing demand for accreditation of third party certifiers across the country account for our continued success,” said Dr. Swift.
To read the full article click here: http://bit.ly/1623ht
“ANSI is honored to have been accepted as a Cal/OSHA-approved accreditation body,” said Roy Swift, Ph.D., senior director for ANSI’s personnel credentialing accreditation programs. “This recognition is just the latest example of the Institute’s successful track record in accrediting personnel certification programs across a wide variety of industries.”
“The Institute’s acceptance by Cal/OSHA as an official accreditation body of crane operator certification bodies is a reflection of the phenomenal growth and quality of our accreditation services. ANSI’s name recognition, the proven reliability of the programs, and the growing demand for accreditation of third party certifiers across the country account for our continued success,” said Dr. Swift.
To read the full article click here: http://bit.ly/1623ht
Update: Texas OSHA inspections increase; leads to more fines
On August 25th, we put up a post on OSHA inspections increasing in Texas due to it having the highest rate of construction-related fatalities in the nation (http://bit.ly/101pQJ). Although Wyoming has the highest rate of workplace fatalities, Texas is the nation's deadliest state when it comes to construction accidents. As discussed in our previous posting from 8/25, this has caused the state to have an influx of federal inspectors. According to a recent article from Austin 8 News, only 77 OSHA inspectors are permanently assigned to Texas, and it would take those 77 inspectors 144 years to visit every job site. An OSHA spokesperson wouldn't reveal the exact number of added inspectors but he did say that the added inspectors have issued nearly 1,300 violations, resulting in $1.8 million in fines.
In May,the Department of Labor released data that showed a 31 percent increase in construction deaths in Texas over four years. In 2008, 67 workers died in construction site related deaths. That numbers had reached 33 for 2009, so far (News8Austin.com).
One OSHA authorized trainer, Manuel Pescador Jr, can testify to the dangerous safety hazards he has seen on Texas job sites. "Why is Texas the leading state for deaths and injuries? Why have we had fatalities here in Austin? Why?" Pescador said. "It's not about me grading them. The numbers speak for themselves." Workplace injury lawyer Steven Pastrana states "Unfortunately I don't think we have the resources, state nor federal, to properly police and regulate the industry," Pastrana said. He also added that there's not much incentive to play by the rules." "What it does is it encourages contractors to cut corners," he said.
Full Article on Austin 8 News.
Zhou, Heidi. "OSHA trainer says construction site violations too common." Austin 8 News. 15 Sept. 2009. Web. news8austin.com.
In May,the Department of Labor released data that showed a 31 percent increase in construction deaths in Texas over four years. In 2008, 67 workers died in construction site related deaths. That numbers had reached 33 for 2009, so far (News8Austin.com).
One OSHA authorized trainer, Manuel Pescador Jr, can testify to the dangerous safety hazards he has seen on Texas job sites. "Why is Texas the leading state for deaths and injuries? Why have we had fatalities here in Austin? Why?" Pescador said. "It's not about me grading them. The numbers speak for themselves." Workplace injury lawyer Steven Pastrana states "Unfortunately I don't think we have the resources, state nor federal, to properly police and regulate the industry," Pastrana said. He also added that there's not much incentive to play by the rules." "What it does is it encourages contractors to cut corners," he said.
Full Article on Austin 8 News.
Zhou, Heidi. "OSHA trainer says construction site violations too common." Austin 8 News. 15 Sept. 2009. Web. news8austin.com.
Monday, September 14, 2009
"Wyoming workers are not following safety rules."
On September 9th, we had a posting titled "Wyoming workers push state to examine worker safety (http://bit.ly/VddfU)." Two days later Dr. George A. Conway, director of OSHA's Alaska site, who's been studying Wyoming's high rate of workplace fatalities, said the state needs to foster an environment where workers regard following safety procedures as proof of their professionalism, not as a sign of weakness. Dr.Conway says that getting workers to understand the importance of work place safety is particularly important, "in ornery cultures like Alaska and Wyoming." Dr.Conway worked as a doctor in Wyoming in the mid-80s.
Dr. Paul Anderson, also from Alaska's OSHA's office, said that in job site fatalities safety procedures were in place on 70 percent of the jobs, but weren't followed 98 percent of the time. Gary Hartman, a Freudenthal adviser and former district judge, is leading the task force in Wyoming. He said Thursday that the group called on federal officials from Alaska to lend their expertise because that state has seen sharp reductions in fatalities in its hazardous commercial fishing and helicopter logging industries. The task force, led by Hartman, formed committees to look into work place safety issues in the oil and gas industry, the transportation industry and the construction industry. It also set up a committee to consider data collection. It's too early to decide whether or not the task force will recommend state legislation to address the issue.
Hartman said he found it interesting that while the state has been emphasizing the importance of having safety programs, the data Anderson presented showed that in most fatal accidents workers hadn't been following established safety procedures.
Sources:
Neary, Ben. "Feds say most Wyoming workers killed on the job not following safety rules." The Examiner. Associated Press, 11 Sept. 2009. Web. 14 Sept. 2009.
-Thanks to @AEMStore (Twitter) for the article lead!
Dr. Paul Anderson, also from Alaska's OSHA's office, said that in job site fatalities safety procedures were in place on 70 percent of the jobs, but weren't followed 98 percent of the time. Gary Hartman, a Freudenthal adviser and former district judge, is leading the task force in Wyoming. He said Thursday that the group called on federal officials from Alaska to lend their expertise because that state has seen sharp reductions in fatalities in its hazardous commercial fishing and helicopter logging industries. The task force, led by Hartman, formed committees to look into work place safety issues in the oil and gas industry, the transportation industry and the construction industry. It also set up a committee to consider data collection. It's too early to decide whether or not the task force will recommend state legislation to address the issue.
Hartman said he found it interesting that while the state has been emphasizing the importance of having safety programs, the data Anderson presented showed that in most fatal accidents workers hadn't been following established safety procedures.
Sources:
Neary, Ben. "Feds say most Wyoming workers killed on the job not following safety rules." The Examiner. Associated Press, 11 Sept. 2009. Web. 14 Sept. 2009.
-Thanks to @AEMStore (Twitter) for the article lead!
Workers exposed to gas leak: kills one and injures four
On September 10, five workers, employed by Chipco Oil and Gas Well Services, were working on a gas rig ,where they were preparing to cap the well when they were exposed to the poisonous hydrogen-sulfide gas mixture, commonly referred to as “poison gas” or “sour gas.” Three workers were transported by emergency crews to Cambridge hospital for treatment of their injuries. Another worker was airlifted by helicopter to another hospital in Ohio. It is unknown if the fifth worker died at the scene of the gas leak or was also transported to a hospital by emergency crews. One of the victums is said to be in critical condition.
"It happens all over. It's something they're trained to deal with but, sometimes it happens so fast that their protective clothing doesn't warn them quick enough and they're unable to deal with it," said Antrim Volunteer Fire Department Chief Don Warnock. Officials added that the men were wearing the proper meters to check for gas.
Sources:
Nicole. "Gas leak killed 1 injured 4!" JusticeNewsFlash.com. Web. 14 Sept. 2009.
"1 Killed, 4 Wounded In Gas Well Accident." WTV09.com. 10 Sept. 2009. Web. 14 Sept. 2009.
"It happens all over. It's something they're trained to deal with but, sometimes it happens so fast that their protective clothing doesn't warn them quick enough and they're unable to deal with it," said Antrim Volunteer Fire Department Chief Don Warnock. Officials added that the men were wearing the proper meters to check for gas.
Sources:
Nicole. "Gas leak killed 1 injured 4!" JusticeNewsFlash.com. Web. 14 Sept. 2009.
"1 Killed, 4 Wounded In Gas Well Accident." WTV09.com. 10 Sept. 2009. Web. 14 Sept. 2009.
OSHA recognizes Clean Harbors Environmental Services Inc. for safety and health excellence
Congratulations to Clean Harbors Environmental Services Inc. in Kimball as a Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP) star site. The VPP Star Site recognition is OSHA's highest recognition for meeting or exceeding workplace safety and health standards.Clean Harbors Environmental Services, which stores and thermally treats hazardous waste materials and employs more than 100 people, earned VPP recognition following a comprehensive onsite evaluation by a team of OSHA safety and health experts. "Clean Harbors Environmental Services in Kimball has exhibited excellence in safety and health management,” said Charles E. Adkins, OSHA's regional administrator in Kansas City, Mo. "The company's outstanding efforts have included management commitment to safety and health, and employee involvement in safety and health programs.”
Requirements include a high degree of management commitment and employee involvement; a high-quality work site analysis, hazard prevention and control program; and comprehensive safety and health training for all employees. Each of these elements must be effective, in place and in operation for at least one year before a company can apply to join the VPP.
Sources:
www.osha.gov
Friday, September 11, 2009
Explosion at Pine Crest School injures three construction workers
OSHA is investigating an explosion that occurred at Pine Crest School on September 3 in Fort Lauderdale. The pipe welding accident that caused the explosion sent three construction workers, who are employed by Hyvac Inc, to the hospital. The workers were welding a pressure gauge onto a steel pipe when a 10-inch PVC pipe cracked and caused the explosion. The explosion was located in the chiller room, which is currently under construction, and will provide the air conditioning to the school. No students or school faculty were involved or injured in the accident.One worker reportedly had injuries to his hand, and the other two workers sustained injuries to the lower parts of their bodies.
Hyvac Inc. is the construction manager for Pine Crest’s $8.4 million center energy plant project. OSHA cited Hyvac in April for two serious violations at the school, for the same project, when a steel plate tipped over and injured four workers. The workers were trying to move the 2,040-pound plate with a dolly that wasn't designed to carry so much weight.Osha cited the company $2,127 in fines.
Sources:
Campbell, Alexia, and Rachel Hatzipanagos. "Explosion injures three construction workers at Pine Crest School." South Florida Sun Sentinel. 3 Sept. 2009. Web. 11 Sept. 2009.
Nicole. "Florida construction accident lawyer news: Three welders injured in explosion!" JusticeNewsFlash.com. 9 Sept. 2009. Web. 11 Sept. 2009.
Hyvac Inc. is the construction manager for Pine Crest’s $8.4 million center energy plant project. OSHA cited Hyvac in April for two serious violations at the school, for the same project, when a steel plate tipped over and injured four workers. The workers were trying to move the 2,040-pound plate with a dolly that wasn't designed to carry so much weight.Osha cited the company $2,127 in fines.
Sources:
Campbell, Alexia, and Rachel Hatzipanagos. "Explosion injures three construction workers at Pine Crest School." South Florida Sun Sentinel. 3 Sept. 2009. Web. 11 Sept. 2009.
Nicole. "Florida construction accident lawyer news: Three welders injured in explosion!" JusticeNewsFlash.com. 9 Sept. 2009. Web. 11 Sept. 2009.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
OSHA cites one Guam contractor & 5 subcontractors: $116,600 in fines
OSHA has proposed penalties totaling $116,600 against a general contractor, Paxia Builders Inc., and five subcontractors for 61 alleged safety violations found during a March inspection at the Charthouse Condominium Project in Tumon. In the past, OSHA has inspected Paxia on 15 previous occasions, with violations found during 11 of those inspections.
In total, the group was cited with 53 serious, seven repeat and one other-than serious violations for failing to provide eye and head protection, lack of fall protection, unprotected exposed rebar, various equipment safety concerns, lack of required safety training and fire prevention measures, failure to maintain safety and health programs or conduct regular safety inspections at the jobsite, and a variety of sanitation-related violations.
“The workers at this construction site were exposed to multiple serious safety and health violations,” said Ken Atha, OSHA's regional administrator in San Francisco. “With construction projects expected to increase in Guam with the military buildup, OSHA wants employers to take safety and health seriously to ensure each of their workers is properly trained and working safely each day.”
The five subcontractors included in the inspection and cited by OSHA include the following Guam-based contractors:
• Equatorial Manufactory Inc.: three serious violations with proposed penalties of $5,400;
• Island Roofing Co: four serious violations and one other-than-serious violation with proposed penalties of $4,000;
• JBL General Builders: 12 serious violations with proposed penalties of $14,400;
• M Electric Corp.: seven serious violations with proposed penalties of $10,200;
• UMS Equipment Rental: three serious violations with proposed penalties of $2,000.
Sources:
"OSHA cites Guam contractor, 5 subcontractors for safety violations." Guampdn.com. Pacific Daily News. Web. 10 Sept. 2009.
"OSHA cites 6 Guam firms for safety, health violations." Saipan Tribune. Web. 10 Sept. 2009.
In total, the group was cited with 53 serious, seven repeat and one other-than serious violations for failing to provide eye and head protection, lack of fall protection, unprotected exposed rebar, various equipment safety concerns, lack of required safety training and fire prevention measures, failure to maintain safety and health programs or conduct regular safety inspections at the jobsite, and a variety of sanitation-related violations.
“The workers at this construction site were exposed to multiple serious safety and health violations,” said Ken Atha, OSHA's regional administrator in San Francisco. “With construction projects expected to increase in Guam with the military buildup, OSHA wants employers to take safety and health seriously to ensure each of their workers is properly trained and working safely each day.”
The five subcontractors included in the inspection and cited by OSHA include the following Guam-based contractors:
• Equatorial Manufactory Inc.: three serious violations with proposed penalties of $5,400;
• Island Roofing Co: four serious violations and one other-than-serious violation with proposed penalties of $4,000;
• JBL General Builders: 12 serious violations with proposed penalties of $14,400;
• M Electric Corp.: seven serious violations with proposed penalties of $10,200;
• UMS Equipment Rental: three serious violations with proposed penalties of $2,000.
Sources:
"OSHA cites Guam contractor, 5 subcontractors for safety violations." Guampdn.com. Pacific Daily News. Web. 10 Sept. 2009.
"OSHA cites 6 Guam firms for safety, health violations." Saipan Tribune. Web. 10 Sept. 2009.
OSHA cites Knobel's Refrigeration Inc. after accident prompts investigation
Knobel's Refrigeration Inc. of North Platte, Neb., has just been sited for work site safety violations by OSHA in proposed penalties of $15,750. OSHA first started their investigation when an employee fell about 12 feet to the ground while trying to access the roof of a building to service refrigeration equipment. The employee died from injuries sustained in the fall 10 days later. The worker fell, off a fixed ladder, when he lost his grip near the top rung of the ladder and fell to the ground.
"Fall hazards must be eliminated," said Charles Adkins, OSHA's regional administrator in Kansas City, Mo. "It is imperative that employers take the necessary steps to inspect equipment and provide training for their workers to prevent accidents like this from occurring."
The company received two serious violations relating to using a fixed ladder with less than 7 inches of perpendicular clearance between the rungs and any obstruction behind the ladder - in this case, a gutter near the top rung served as an obstruction - as well as failure to train workers on fixed ladder hazards. The third serious violation, unrelated to the accident, involves failure to properly train workers to operate industrial trucks. The other-than-serious violation relates to the employer's failure to properly record employee injuries and illnesses.
Source:
www.osha.gov
"Fall hazards must be eliminated," said Charles Adkins, OSHA's regional administrator in Kansas City, Mo. "It is imperative that employers take the necessary steps to inspect equipment and provide training for their workers to prevent accidents like this from occurring."
The company received two serious violations relating to using a fixed ladder with less than 7 inches of perpendicular clearance between the rungs and any obstruction behind the ladder - in this case, a gutter near the top rung served as an obstruction - as well as failure to train workers on fixed ladder hazards. The third serious violation, unrelated to the accident, involves failure to properly train workers to operate industrial trucks. The other-than-serious violation relates to the employer's failure to properly record employee injuries and illnesses.
Source:
www.osha.gov
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Wyoming workers push state to examine worker safety
In recent years, many Wyoming workers have testified before state legislators about the need for a number of reforms in the workplace. After two years of lobbying, worker advocates won some moderate reforms of the state’s workers’ compensation program this year, raising some benefits for injured workers and for the families of those who get killed on the job. State lawmakers are also been pressured to clarify questions about a lack of third-party liability in the workplace that some believe serves as a disincentive toward safety.
Art Auty is one the many workers testifying before state legislators. He gives his testimony when he died on August 31, 2004 and was resuscitated immediately after his accident. He suffered severe electrical shock while attempting to remove a utility line insulator outside Lander. In Wyoming, OSHA is required to investigate a workplace accident if a worker is killed or if an accident results in at least three people going to the hospital. Auty says he didn't stay dead for long, so there was no OSHA investigation.“In my accident, there were so many OSHA violations,” Auty said. “OSHA’s not doing their job.”
Wyoming’s workplace fatality rate is the worst in the nation. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 17.1 fatalities per 100,000 workers in 2007. That’s about three times the national average.
Sources:
BLEIZEFFER, Dustin. "Wyo examines worker safety." Trib.com. Star-Tribune, 7 Sept. 2009. Web. 9 Sept. 2009.
Art Auty is one the many workers testifying before state legislators. He gives his testimony when he died on August 31, 2004 and was resuscitated immediately after his accident. He suffered severe electrical shock while attempting to remove a utility line insulator outside Lander. In Wyoming, OSHA is required to investigate a workplace accident if a worker is killed or if an accident results in at least three people going to the hospital. Auty says he didn't stay dead for long, so there was no OSHA investigation.“In my accident, there were so many OSHA violations,” Auty said. “OSHA’s not doing their job.”
Wyoming’s workplace fatality rate is the worst in the nation. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 17.1 fatalities per 100,000 workers in 2007. That’s about three times the national average.
Sources:
BLEIZEFFER, Dustin. "Wyo examines worker safety." Trib.com. Star-Tribune, 7 Sept. 2009. Web. 9 Sept. 2009.
2008 International Paper Co. mill explosion suit: settlement proposals due
On May 3, 2008 a 12-story boiler exploded in International Paper Co.'s Redwood plant. The explosion happened during an attempt to restart the boiler after its annual maintenance. The plant cooks fiber to make liner board, which is used for manufacturing corrugated containers.
28-year-old Marcus Christopher Broome was killed in the explosion and 22 other employees were injured with severe burns. International Paper Co. and two brothers, Terry and Kenneth Townsend , have until this Friday to submit proposals to settle a federal lawsuit. Kenneth Townsend, who was burned over 60 percent of his body, said in an e-mail that workers should have been cleared from the area before the boiler was restarted. International Paper Co acknowledged that the boiler had been shut down for maintenance, there was an explosion and the company knew workers would be present that day. In response to the lawsuit filed last year, the company argued that workers "may have failed to exercise reasonable care for their own safety" and "IP is immune from common law liability." OSHA's report revealed that it is "normal practice for contractors to work during start-up/shut-down."
Following the explosion, OSHA conducted an investigation and cited International Paper Co. $77,000 for one alleged willful violation and one alleged serious violation. The company is appealing the alleged violation. The willful violation was starting the boiler without adequate steam and not developing safe procedures to start it up when the primary power boiler is offline. The serious violation was failing to have written procedures to determine that an adequate amount of odorant was being added to the natural gas supply line.
Sources:
Mohr, Holbrook. "Settlement proposals due in IP mill explosion suit." The Columbus Dispatch. Associated Press, 7 Sept. 2009. Web. 9 Sept. 2009.
28-year-old Marcus Christopher Broome was killed in the explosion and 22 other employees were injured with severe burns. International Paper Co. and two brothers, Terry and Kenneth Townsend , have until this Friday to submit proposals to settle a federal lawsuit. Kenneth Townsend, who was burned over 60 percent of his body, said in an e-mail that workers should have been cleared from the area before the boiler was restarted. International Paper Co acknowledged that the boiler had been shut down for maintenance, there was an explosion and the company knew workers would be present that day. In response to the lawsuit filed last year, the company argued that workers "may have failed to exercise reasonable care for their own safety" and "IP is immune from common law liability." OSHA's report revealed that it is "normal practice for contractors to work during start-up/shut-down."
Following the explosion, OSHA conducted an investigation and cited International Paper Co. $77,000 for one alleged willful violation and one alleged serious violation. The company is appealing the alleged violation. The willful violation was starting the boiler without adequate steam and not developing safe procedures to start it up when the primary power boiler is offline. The serious violation was failing to have written procedures to determine that an adequate amount of odorant was being added to the natural gas supply line.
Sources:
Mohr, Holbrook. "Settlement proposals due in IP mill explosion suit." The Columbus Dispatch. Associated Press, 7 Sept. 2009. Web. 9 Sept. 2009.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Secretary of Labor respondes to new report (Broken Laws, Unprotected Workers) findings
“There is no excuse for the disregard of federal labor standards – especially those that are designed to protect the neediest among us,” said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. “As secretary of labor, I am committed to the vigorous enforcement of our laws and will make use of the full weight of my authority to find and prosecute violators.”
She said she especially was troubled by the report’s findings that “employment and labor laws are regularly and systematically violated.” Workers in the United States deserve and need
“far better than that,” said Solis, adding, “In fact, it’s precisely why stronger enforcement remains at the top of my agenda.”
"Beginning this year and into 2010, I am hiring an additional 250 new wage and hour investigators so we can continue to effectively monitor wage and hour violations. During the first six months of this year, the Department of Labor already has recovered more than $82 million in back wages for nearly 107,000 minimum wage workers."
The report “clearly shows we still have a major task before us,” said Solis. “But America’s workers should rest assured that, under my tenure, the Department of Labor will be marked by an emphasis on the protection of their rights. We will not rest until the law is followed by every employer, and each worker is treated and compensated fairly.”
Sources:
"Statement of Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis on report detailing violations of employment and labor laws in U.S. cities." Chloregy. 2 Sept. 2009. Web. 8 Sept. 2009.
She said she especially was troubled by the report’s findings that “employment and labor laws are regularly and systematically violated.” Workers in the United States deserve and need
“far better than that,” said Solis, adding, “In fact, it’s precisely why stronger enforcement remains at the top of my agenda.”"Beginning this year and into 2010, I am hiring an additional 250 new wage and hour investigators so we can continue to effectively monitor wage and hour violations. During the first six months of this year, the Department of Labor already has recovered more than $82 million in back wages for nearly 107,000 minimum wage workers."
The report “clearly shows we still have a major task before us,” said Solis. “But America’s workers should rest assured that, under my tenure, the Department of Labor will be marked by an emphasis on the protection of their rights. We will not rest until the law is followed by every employer, and each worker is treated and compensated fairly.”
Sources:
"Statement of Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis on report detailing violations of employment and labor laws in U.S. cities." Chloregy. 2 Sept. 2009. Web. 8 Sept. 2009.
New Report Reveals Violations of Employment and Labor Laws in U.S. Cities
A new report, that was just released, surveyed 4,387 workers in low wage industries in the three largest U.S. cities. The researchers of the survey state that it was done in such a way where "innovative, rigorous methodology was used to reach vulnerable workers who are often missed in standard surveys, such as unauthorized immigrants and those paid in cash." The report examined the right to be paid at least the minimum wage, the right to be paid for overtime hours, the right to take meal breaks, access to workers’ compensation when injured and the right to advocate for better working conditions. The report found that many employment and labor laws are regularly and systematically violated and that the "framework of worker protections that was established over the past 75 years is not working."
Some minimum wage violations that were found were:
Some minimum wage violations that were found were:
- 26 percent of workers in the sample were paid less than the legally required minimum wage in the previous work week.
- 60 percent of workers were underpaid by more than $1 per hour.
Overtime violations:
- Over a quarter of respondents worked more than 40 hours during the previous week. Of these, 76 percent were not paid the legally required overtime rate.
- The average worker with a violation had put in 11 hours of overtime- hours that were either underpaid or not paid at all.
Illegal employer retaliation:
- One in five workers in the sample reported they had made a complaint to their employer or attempted to form a union in the last year. Of those, 43 percent experienced one or more forms of illegal retaliation from their employer or supervisor. Examples were: Employer fired or suspended worker, threatened to call immigration authorities, or threatened to cut workers' hours or pay.
Sources:
To view the whole report click on URL: Bernahardt, A., R. Milkman, N. Theodore, D. Heckathorn, M. Auer, J. DeFilippis, A. Gonzalez, V. Narro, J. Perelshteyn, D. Polson, and M. Spiller. Broken Laws, Unprotected Workers: Violations of Employment and Labor Laws in America's Cities. Rep. 2 Sept. 2009. Web. 8 Sept. 2009.http://nelp.3cdn.net/1797b93dd1ccdf9e7d_sdm6bc50n.pdf
Friday, September 4, 2009
OSHA releases Site-Specific Targeting 2009 program- Nursing Homes in the top three?
OSHA's program will focus enforcement efforts on nearly 4,000 high-hazard worksites on the agency's list for comprehensive safety inspections. The program helps OSHA direct enforcement resources to workplaces such as manufacturing and nursing homes where the highest rate of injuries and illnesses occur.
Changes to this year's program include dividing the primary list of establishments slated for inspection into three sectors - manufacturing, non-manufacturing, and nursing homes. Rather than using one rate for all establishments, OSHA established minimum injury and illness rates for each group, allowing the agency to inspect even more establishments that exceed the minimum rates specific to that sector. Additionally, some facilities that did not answer an OSHA Data Initiative survey will be added to the inspection list.
"These inspections examine all aspects of a workplace's operations and the effectiveness of its safety and health efforts," said acting Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA Jordan Barab. "The SST program emphasizes to employers the importance of ensuring safe working conditions for workers."
Sources:
More information on www.osha.gov
Changes to this year's program include dividing the primary list of establishments slated for inspection into three sectors - manufacturing, non-manufacturing, and nursing homes. Rather than using one rate for all establishments, OSHA established minimum injury and illness rates for each group, allowing the agency to inspect even more establishments that exceed the minimum rates specific to that sector. Additionally, some facilities that did not answer an OSHA Data Initiative survey will be added to the inspection list.
"These inspections examine all aspects of a workplace's operations and the effectiveness of its safety and health efforts," said acting Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA Jordan Barab. "The SST program emphasizes to employers the importance of ensuring safe working conditions for workers."
Sources:
More information on www.osha.gov
Bremerton Shipyard Maintains Top Safety Status since 2006
Article directly from www.kitsapsun.com
Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility will be recognized Tuesday with the nation’s highest safety award.
The Bremerton facility was recertified as a “VPP star” site, the highest level in the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s Voluntary Protection Programs. It has maintained that status since 2006. Of more than 4 million work sites in the country, just over 2,000 are star sites. The shipyard’s Bangor site achieved star status in January.
OSHA’s VPP recognizes and promotes effective workplace safety and health management. To qualify for VPP status, a site must meet all OSHA regulatory standards and submit to an OSHA review of its programs. An OSHA recertification team visited PSNS in March. The shipyard, which has 9,400 employees and 2,500 contract workers on site, services reactors, and overhauls, repairs, alters and recycles Navy surface ships and submarines.
Sources:
www.kitsapsun.com-By Kitsap Sun staff
Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility will be recognized Tuesday with the nation’s highest safety award.
The Bremerton facility was recertified as a “VPP star” site, the highest level in the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s Voluntary Protection Programs. It has maintained that status since 2006. Of more than 4 million work sites in the country, just over 2,000 are star sites. The shipyard’s Bangor site achieved star status in January.OSHA’s VPP recognizes and promotes effective workplace safety and health management. To qualify for VPP status, a site must meet all OSHA regulatory standards and submit to an OSHA review of its programs. An OSHA recertification team visited PSNS in March. The shipyard, which has 9,400 employees and 2,500 contract workers on site, services reactors, and overhauls, repairs, alters and recycles Navy surface ships and submarines.
Sources:
www.kitsapsun.com-By Kitsap Sun staff
Explosion at U.S. Steel's Clairton Coke Works
On Thursday, an explosion at U.S. Steel's Clairton Coke Works killed a contractor and sent another one to the hospital. The explosion happened shorty after 11:00 AM. According to Allegheny County emergency and health officials, the explosion occurred in the byproducts area for the coke batteries, arrays of ovens where coal is baked into coke for steel-making.
Nicolas Revetta, 32, of Clairton died at Jefferson Regional Hospital. The other victim, who has not been identified, was taken to UPMC Mercy Hospital, which often treats burn victims. Due to privacy laws, his condition has not yet been released. Both men worked for Power Piping Co., which specializes in installing industrial pipes and high-pressure equipment. After the fire was put out, employees were instructed to return to their stations. The phone lines were tied up with concerned family members; other family members chose to gather outside the company to find out if they knew the injured employees.
"Safety is our company's top priority, and a full investigation into the incident will be undertaken in cooperation with the union," U.S. Steel spokeswoman Courtney Boone said in a statement. OSHA has already been notified of the accident. The Allegheny County Health Department was also notified to inspect the air quality after the explosion. Currently, nothing has been released as the cause of the explosion.
Sources:
Heinrichs, Allison M., and Rick Wills. "One killed in explosion at U.S. Steel's Clairton Coke Works." Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. 3 Sept. 2009. Web. 4 Sept. 2009.
"One killed in explosion at U.S. Steel's Clairton Coke Works." TRIB LIVE Business. 3 Sept. 2009. Web. 4 Sept. 2009. www.pittsburghlive.com
Nicolas Revetta, 32, of Clairton died at Jefferson Regional Hospital. The other victim, who has not been identified, was taken to UPMC Mercy Hospital, which often treats burn victims. Due to privacy laws, his condition has not yet been released. Both men worked for Power Piping Co., which specializes in installing industrial pipes and high-pressure equipment. After the fire was put out, employees were instructed to return to their stations. The phone lines were tied up with concerned family members; other family members chose to gather outside the company to find out if they knew the injured employees.
"Safety is our company's top priority, and a full investigation into the incident will be undertaken in cooperation with the union," U.S. Steel spokeswoman Courtney Boone said in a statement. OSHA has already been notified of the accident. The Allegheny County Health Department was also notified to inspect the air quality after the explosion. Currently, nothing has been released as the cause of the explosion.
Sources:
Heinrichs, Allison M., and Rick Wills. "One killed in explosion at U.S. Steel's Clairton Coke Works." Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. 3 Sept. 2009. Web. 4 Sept. 2009.
"One killed in explosion at U.S. Steel's Clairton Coke Works." TRIB LIVE Business. 3 Sept. 2009. Web. 4 Sept. 2009. www.pittsburghlive.com
Thursday, September 3, 2009
OSHA introduces new construction safety training resource for Spanish-speaking construction workers
The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) today introduced a new construction safety training resource for Spanish-speaking construction workers to community and faith-based leaders from the Hudson Valley, New York City and Long Island.
"Knowledge of construction hazards and safeguards can prevent injuries and save lives," said Diana Cortez, OSHA's regional Hispanic coordinator in New York. "The challenge is to deliver that knowledge to vulnerable and hard-to-reach workers and to do so in a form that they understand and from a source they know and trust. Community and faith-based organizations are a vital link in reaching these workers."
The new program, called Focus 4 Hazards, is a a bilingual training kit that summarizes, in a clear, concise and easy-to-understand manner, the four major construction hazards and the steps workers can take to recognize, avoid and eliminate those hazards.
"Effective safety and health management depends on workers being able to understand job-related hazards and the means to prevent and eliminate those hazards," said Robert Kulick, OSHA's regional administrator in New York. "Tools such as this are designed to bridge the language gap so that Spanish- and other non-English-speaking workers can safeguard themselves and their fellow workers."
Sources:
www.osha.gov
"Knowledge of construction hazards and safeguards can prevent injuries and save lives," said Diana Cortez, OSHA's regional Hispanic coordinator in New York. "The challenge is to deliver that knowledge to vulnerable and hard-to-reach workers and to do so in a form that they understand and from a source they know and trust. Community and faith-based organizations are a vital link in reaching these workers."
The new program, called Focus 4 Hazards, is a a bilingual training kit that summarizes, in a clear, concise and easy-to-understand manner, the four major construction hazards and the steps workers can take to recognize, avoid and eliminate those hazards.
"Effective safety and health management depends on workers being able to understand job-related hazards and the means to prevent and eliminate those hazards," said Robert Kulick, OSHA's regional administrator in New York. "Tools such as this are designed to bridge the language gap so that Spanish- and other non-English-speaking workers can safeguard themselves and their fellow workers."
Sources:
www.osha.gov
Forklift accident leads to third worker death in Mass. area in one week
The OSHA website states that every year, tens of thousands of injuries related to forklifts occur in US workplaces. Many employees are injured when lift trucks are inadvertently driven off loading docks, lifts fall between docks and an unsecured trailer, they are struck by a lift truck, or when they fall while on elevated pallets and tines.
One recent accident reminds us what tragic consequences can occur due to lack of safety training regarding these machines. On August 31, a
51-year-old Stoughton man was killed in a work-related accident after he fell off a forklift and struck his head inside the Super-Dog Pet Food Co. warehouse in Taunton, Mass. Alan Forsyth was operating a stand-up forklift inside the Super-Dog Pet Food Co. warehouse when somehow it slammed into one of the building’s steel supporting beams and threw him to the concrete floor. The trauma to his head led his death.
The death of Alan Forsyth comes one year after the company, Super-Dog Pet Food Co., received eight OSHA violations. Three of these were violations concerning forklifts. “While it is always a tragedy to hear of a worker death, it is particularly troubling when an employer has already been warned that his practices are putting workers at grave risk,” said Bob Burns, a health and safety trainer at MassCOSH, the Massachusetts Coalition for Occupational Safety and Health. “Forklifts are potentially dangerous, heavy machinery. It is imperative that workers operating forklifts be afforded the proper training and available safety equipment, and that all forklifts be inspected for safety defects on a daily use basis.”
This is the third worker death for the Massachusetts area. Aug. 31’s tragedy in Taunton came just a couple of hours after the commonwealth’s second work zone fatality in a week. That same morning, Attleboro water department employee Jeffrey Burgess died after being struck by a van that hit Burgess while he was repairing a break in the water main. One week earlier, 34-year-old police officer Michael Davey was killed in Weymouth while directing traffic at a utility site.
Sources:
www.osha.gov
Smith, Sandy. "In One Week, Three Workplace Deaths in Massachusetts." EHS Today. Web. 3 Sept. 2009.
Winokoor, Charles. "Worker dies after fall in Taunton warehouse." Wicked Local Taunton. 31 Aug. 2009. Web. 3 Sept. 2009. www.wickedlocal.com
One recent accident reminds us what tragic consequences can occur due to lack of safety training regarding these machines. On August 31, a
51-year-old Stoughton man was killed in a work-related accident after he fell off a forklift and struck his head inside the Super-Dog Pet Food Co. warehouse in Taunton, Mass. Alan Forsyth was operating a stand-up forklift inside the Super-Dog Pet Food Co. warehouse when somehow it slammed into one of the building’s steel supporting beams and threw him to the concrete floor. The trauma to his head led his death.The death of Alan Forsyth comes one year after the company, Super-Dog Pet Food Co., received eight OSHA violations. Three of these were violations concerning forklifts. “While it is always a tragedy to hear of a worker death, it is particularly troubling when an employer has already been warned that his practices are putting workers at grave risk,” said Bob Burns, a health and safety trainer at MassCOSH, the Massachusetts Coalition for Occupational Safety and Health. “Forklifts are potentially dangerous, heavy machinery. It is imperative that workers operating forklifts be afforded the proper training and available safety equipment, and that all forklifts be inspected for safety defects on a daily use basis.”
This is the third worker death for the Massachusetts area. Aug. 31’s tragedy in Taunton came just a couple of hours after the commonwealth’s second work zone fatality in a week. That same morning, Attleboro water department employee Jeffrey Burgess died after being struck by a van that hit Burgess while he was repairing a break in the water main. One week earlier, 34-year-old police officer Michael Davey was killed in Weymouth while directing traffic at a utility site.
Sources:
www.osha.gov
Smith, Sandy. "In One Week, Three Workplace Deaths in Massachusetts." EHS Today. Web. 3 Sept. 2009.
Winokoor, Charles. "Worker dies after fall in Taunton warehouse." Wicked Local Taunton. 31 Aug. 2009. Web. 3 Sept. 2009. www.wickedlocal.com
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