BOSTON — Metro-North Commuter Railroad Co. violated the anti-discrimination provisions of the Federal Railroad Safety Act between 2011 and 2013 when it disciplined seven Connecticut employees for following their physicians' instructions, investigations by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration determined.

BURLESON, Texas — KWS Manufacturing Co. Ltd. was cited by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration for 17 safety and health violations after a worker was killed at the Burleson-based company in December 2013.

HOUSTON, Texas — Continental Manufacturing Co. Inc., doing business as Continental Mixer, has been cited by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration for 35 safety and health violations, including failure to implement lockout/tagout procedures to protect workers who service or maintain machines and failure to maintain occupational noise exposure limits.

BOISE, Idaho — After becoming entangled in mixing equipment used for cattle feed, an Anderson Farms employee died from mass trauma in Heyburn on Feb. 11, 2014. The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration investigated the facility after the incident and found five safety violations, including three serious.

OSHA partners with 25K businesses to prevent falls in construction and save lives

BRAINTREE, Mass. — A 46-year-old worker at a Boston steel fabrication shop died on Dec. 9, 2013, when a 12,000-pound steel bridge arch beam that he was spray painting fell and crushed him. An investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration found that his employer, Boston Bridge & Steel Inc., failed to ensure that the fallen beam and three similar beams were adequately braced or supported to prevent them from falling while workers painted them.

HOUSTON, Texas — Tanner Timber Services LLC was cited with five violations, including one willful, by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration for failing to protect workers from hazardous, unguarded machines. An employee was struck and killed by a piece of lumber in excess of 800 pounds that kicked out of a machine at the company's Kountze facility.

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — American Made Tires, an Elmira Heights, tire retreader, failed to correct 12 hazards cited during a 2013 inspection by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Because of that inaction, and the discovery of new and recurring hazards during a follow-up OSHA inspection, the company faces an additional $160,280 in proposed fines.

AUSTIN, Texas — Lindamood Demolition Inc. and Texas Cutting & Coring were both cited by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration for a total of five violations, including two willful, following the death of a skid-steer loader operator during the redevelopment of Kyle Field Stadium at Texas A&M University.

CHICAGO — For the second time this year, the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Pan-Oceanic Engineering Co. Inc. for failing to protect workers from trenching hazards at a job site at East 93rd Street and South Woodlawn Avenue in Chicago. OSHA cited the company for willful violations for again failing to protect workers from trench cave-ins while installing water and sewer lines in November 2013. Proposed penalties total $147,000.

PARK FALLS, Wis. — The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Flambeau River Papers for failing to protect workers from hazards associated with exposure to sulfur dioxide at the Park Falls paper mill. Sulfur dioxide is used in treating wood pulp for paper manufacturing and can cause numerous adverse effects to the respiratory tract when vapors are inhaled. OSHA cited eight violations, carrying proposed penalties of $42,300.

"Water. Rest. Shade." and acclimatization are critical in preventing heat illness and fatalities

HOUSTON— — Outdoor Furniture Refinishing Inc., doing business as Allied Powder Coating, has been cited by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration for 15 serious health and safety violations with a proposed fine of $55,440. OSHA cited the sandblasting and powder coating company for exposing workers to toxic chemicals, including silica, beyond established occupational limits.

NEW YORK — A Manhattan-based women's jewelry and accessories maker faces $47,600 in proposed penalties from the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration for exposing workers to blocked exits, fire and safety hazards at its 254 W. 35th St. location. In response to a complaint alleging unsafe workplace conditions, Natasha Accessories Ltd. was cited for eight serious and three repeat violations, following an inspection by OSHA's Manhattan Area Office that began on Feb. 7.

ANDOVER, Mass. — Powderpart Inc., a Woburn 3-D printing company, was cited by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration for one willful and nine serious violations of workplace safety standards. The inspection followed an explosion and fire on Nov. 5, 2013, which inflicted third-degree burns on a company employee.

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — The health and safety of workers during the construction of Arkansas State University's student activity center in Jonesboro is the goal of a new strategic partnership formed today between the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration and general contractor VCC LLC.

DETROIT — Following the death of a worker who was hit by a forklift , the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Nicholson Terminal & Dock Co. with nine — including two willful and seven serious — safety violations. The incident occurred Nov. 19, 2013, at the Detroit marine terminal when the worker was struck by a 62,000-pound-capacity forklift carrying a 40,000-pound steel coil.

JANESEVILLE, Wis. — Power Coatings LLC, a company that specializes in powder coating metal parts, has been cited by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration for 14 serious safety violations, including failing to protect workers from toxic substances, which can cause cancer, lung impairment and other diseases. OSHA has proposed penalties of $51,800 following a December 2013 complaint inspection of Power Coatings' Janesville facility.

LUBBOCK, Texas — Tortillas Ricas LP, doing business as Casa Rica Tortillas, has been cited by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration for 13 serious safety and health violations with proposed fines of $48,300. OSHA cited the corn tortilla manufacturer for exposing workers to unguarded machines and electrical hazards and for failing to implement lockout/tagout procedures to protect workers who service or maintain machines.

DENVER — Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway has been ordered to pay more than $526,000 in back wages and other damages to two workers following an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration.