OSHA finds mechanical, electrical, fall, exit access and combustible dust hazards

HARTFORD, Conn. The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Associated Spring-Barnes Group Inc. for 30 alleged serious violations of workplace safety standards at the company's Bristol metal stamping plant. The company faces a total of $139,000 in proposed fines for electrical, mechanical, exit access, fall and combustible dust hazards identified during an inspection by OSHA's Hartford Area Office.

Zaro Bake Shop faces $118,000 in proposed fines

TARRYTOWN, N.Y. Zaro Bake Shop Inc., a commercial bakery in the Bronx, has been cited by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration for 26 serious violations of workplace safety and health standards. OSHA initiated inspections in April in response to a complaint, and is proposing $118,000 in fines.

Color Carton Corp. faces more than $62,000 in proposed fines

PASCAGOULA, Miss. – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Mississippi Phosphates Corp. with 40 safety and health violations following the deaths of two workers in separate incidents at the company's Pascagoula facilities. The fatalities led to comprehensive inspections by OSHA.

DALTON, Ga. – MFG Chemical Inc. in Dalton has been cited by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration for 20 safety violations following a plant explosion that resulted in the hospitalization of approximately 40 employees for decontamination. Proposed penalties total $77,000.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration is encouraging retail employers to take precautions to prevent worker injuries during Black Friday and other major sales events during the holiday season.

In 2008, a worker was trampled to death while a mob of shoppers rushed through the doors of a large store to take advantage of an after-Thanksgiving Day Black Friday sales event. OSHA recommends that retailers follow certain safeguards against this type of tragedy.

PHILADELPHIA – The U.S. Department of Labor has recovered more than $213,000 in back wages for 1,028 foreign students employed in summer jobs in Palmyra where they repackaged candies for promotional displays. The settlement with The SHS Group, LP, the Council for Educational Travel-USA, and Exel Inc. resolves federal minimum wage and overtime violations, and also resolves $143,000 in fines for safety and health violations found at an Exel-operated facility in Palmyra.

AKRON, Ohio – The U.S. Department of Labor has filed a lawsuit in federal court seeking to enforce a final decision and order issued to North Canton-based trucking company Star Air and owner Robert R. Custer for terminating two truck drivers in violation of the Surface Transportation Assistance Act's whistleblower provisions. The company has been ordered to pay $612,205.

Whistleblower investigation found violations of the federal Wendell H. Ford Aviation Investment and Reform Act for the 21st Century

BOSTON – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration is urging workers and members of the public engaged in Hurricane Sandy cleanup and recovery efforts in New York, New Jersey and the New England states to be aware of the hazards they might encounter and the steps they should take to protect themselves.

Deadline is Nov. 30

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor challenges developers, students and anyone else with a little tech savvy and creativity to enter the Workplace Safety and Health Challenge. The goal is to design a tool that demonstrates the importance of recognizing and preventing hazards by helping young people understand their rights in the workplace.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration is launching an alternative dispute resolution pilot program for complaints filed with OSHA's Whistleblower Protection Program. ADR can assist complainants and employers in resolving their disputes in a cooperative and voluntary manner.

Violations found in Johnstown, Ohio, also will benefit employees in Torrington, Conn., Tifton, Ga., and Commerce, Texas

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today announced the appointment of four new members and re-appointment of two current members to the Advisory Committee on Construction Safety and Health. They will serve two-year terms and represent the interests of the public, employers, employees and government.

The 15-member committee meets at least twice a year. The newly appointed and re-appointed members will join nine other current members serving the remainder of their terms on the committee.

JERSEY CITY, N.J. – The U.S. Department of Labors Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Continental Terminals Inc., based in Jersey City, with 18 alleged safety and health violations at the companys warehouse in Kearney.OSHA initiated an inspection upon receiving a complaint. Proposed fines total $162,400.

MT. LOOKOUT, W.Va. – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Roger Shortridge Construction, based in Mt. Lookout, for one willful and two serious violations at a Tridelphia work site. OSHA initiated an investigation in March after a compliance officer observed fall hazards while conducting an inspection of another contractor at the work site. Proposed penalties total $47,400.

ALPHARETTA, Ga. – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited SEI Group of Norcross with four repeat safety violations for exposing workers to fall hazards while they were wrapping insulation material for a new residence located in Alpharetta's Castleberry Estates. OSHA initiated an inspection in June as part of the agency's Local Emphasis Program on Falls in Construction.

NEW YORK – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Blade Contracting Inc., based in Staten Island, with seven safety – including one willful – violations for fall hazards at a Jersey City, N.J., work site. The investigation was initiated after a worker with the masonry contractor was injured by falling from a sixth floor balcony while attempting to access a suspension scaffold. Proposed penalties total $136,290.

DELAWARE CITY, Del. – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Formosa Plastics Corp. USA with 16 alleged safety and health violations at its Delaware City site. A March investigation was a follow-up to two inspections opened in October 2009. Proposed penalties total $148,700.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration today awarded $10.7 million through the Susan Harwood Training Grant Program to 72 nonprofit organizations, including community/faith-based groups, employer associations, labor unions, joint labor/management associations, and colleges and universities.