July 19, 2019

U.S. Department of Labor Reminds Employers of the Dangers of Heat Illness

PHILADELPHIA, PA – As temperatures rise in Pennsylvania, the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reminds employers to protect their employees from the dangers of working in hot weather.

OSHA's message is simple: Water. Rest. Shade. Employers should encourage workers to drink water every 15 minutes, and take frequent rest breaks in shaded areas. Employers should:

July 18, 2019

U.S. Department of Labor Cites Florida Company for Exposing Employees To Amputations and Other Safety Hazards

TALLAHASSEE, FL – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Jimmie Crowder Excavating and Land Clearing Inc. for exposing employees to amputation and other safety hazards at the company's facility in Tallahassee, Florida. The demolition and excavating company faces $81,833 in penalties.

July 17, 2019

U.S. Department of Labor Cites Global Packaging Manufacturer After Employee Suffers Severe Steam Burns in Queen City, Texas

QUEEN CITY, TX – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) cited Graphic Packaging International LLC – an Atlanta, Georgia-based paper product manufacturer – for exposing employees to hot steam, and failing to ensure the use of proper hazardous energy control methods. The company faces $211,400 in proposed fines.

July 17, 2019

U.S. Department of Labor Reminds Employers of the Dangers of Heat Illness

BOSTON, MA – As temperatures rise in New England, the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reminds employers to protect their employees from the dangers of working in hot weather.

OSHA's message is simple: Water. Rest. Shade. Employers should encourage workers to drink water every 15 minutes, and take frequent rest breaks in shaded areas. Employers should:

July 16, 2019

U.S. Department of Labor Investigation Finds Oklahoma Manufacturer Exposed Employees to Serious Workplace Hazards

PRYOR, OK – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited HE&M Inc., a Pryor, Oklahoma-based metalworking band saw manufacturer, for exposing employees to fall, machine guarding, struck-by, and electrical hazards. HE&M faces penalties totaling $187,533.

July 16, 2019

U.S. Department of Labor Cites Missouri Contractor For Exposing Employees to Trench Engulfment Hazards

ST. LOUIS, MO – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited R.V. Wagner Inc. – based in Affton, Missouri – for exposing employees to trench engulfment hazards as they installed concrete storm water pipes on Stable Road in St. Louis, Missouri. OSHA proposed penalties of $212,158 for violations of its trench safety standards.

July 15, 2019

U.S. Department of Labor Urges Workers and Public To Be Aware of Hazards After Hurricane Barry

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) urges response crews and residents in areas affected by Hurricane Barry to be aware of hazards created by flooding, power loss, structural damage, fallen trees, and storm debris.

July 9, 2019

U.S. Department of Labor Says Employer Vigilance Essential To Addressing Workplace Hazards That Peak in Summer

KANSAS CITY, MO ‒ The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is urging vigilance among employers and employees to address the types of workplace hazards that tend to peak in the summer months.

July 3, 2019

U.S. Department of Labor Cites Long Island, New York, Construction Company for Fall Hazards Following Fatal Structure Collapse

WESTBURY, NY – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Northridge Construction Corp. for willful and serious violations of workplace safety standards at the company’s headquarters in East Patchogue, New York. The company faces $224,620 in penalties.

June 28, 2019

U.S. Department of Labor Orders Kentucky Trucking Company To Reinstate Driver Who Refused To Operate Vehicle During Inclement Weather

FLORENCE, KY – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has ordered Freight Rite Inc. – based in Florence, Kentucky – to reinstate a truck driver terminated after he refused to operate a commercial motor vehicle in hazardous road conditions caused by inclement winter weather. OSHA ordered the company to pay the driver $31,569 in back wages and interest, $100,000 in punitive damages, $50,000 in compensatory damages, and reasonable attorney fees, and to refrain from retaliating against the employee.

June 28, 2019

Federal Judge Upholds Safety and Health Citations, Penalties Against Jersey City, New Jersey Medical Center

JERSEY CITY, NJ - An administrative law judge with the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission (OSHRC) has issued a decision affirming all safety and health citations issued by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) against Jersey City Medical Center. OSHA cited the medical center – based in Jersey City, New Jersey – for electrical hazards after a maintenance employee's fatal fall after receiving an electric shock. The judge also affirmed OSHA's proposed penalties totaling $174,593.

June 28, 2019

U.S. Department of Labor Cites Illinois Metal Treating Facility

GLENDALE HEIGHTS, IL – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Hudapack Metal Treating of Illinois Inc. – based in Glendale Heights, Illinois – for 21 serious health and safety violations. The company faces penalties of $181,662.

June 27, 2019

U.S. Department of Labor Schedules Advisory Committee on Construction Safety and Health Meeting; Announces Committee Appointments

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor will hold a meeting of the Advisory Committee on Construction Safety and Health (ACCSH) on July 17-18, 2019, in Washington, D.C.

The tentative agenda includes updates from OSHA directorates and a discussion of proposals to add a reference to the definition of "confined space" that applies to welding activities in construction and clarify the requirements for the fit of personal protective equipment in construction.

June 26, 2019

U.S. Department of Labor Reminds Employers of the Dangers of Heat Illness

DALLAS, TX – As temperatures rise in Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas, and Oklahoma the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reminds employers to protect their employees from the dangers of working in hot weather.

OSHA's message is simple: Water. Rest. Shade. Employers should encourage workers to drink water every 15 minutes, and take frequent rest breaks in shaded areas. Employers should:

June 25, 2019

U.S. Department of Labor Cites Jacksonville Zoo After Rhinoceros Injures Zookeeper

JACKSONVILLE, FL – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited the Jacksonville Zoological Society Inc. for exposing employees to workplace safety hazards at the Jacksonville, Florida, zoo. The animal park faces $14,661 in proposed penalties.

June 24, 2019

U.S. Department of Labor Cites Georgia Distributor for Chemical and Other Hazards

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Woodgrain Millwork Co. – operating as Woodgrain Distribution Inc. – for exposing employees to chemical and struck-by hazards at the company's distribution facility in Lawrenceville, Georgia. The company faces $125,466 in penalties.

June 21, 2019

U.S. Department of Labor Cites Two Florida Construction Contractors After Fatal Fall at Miami Work Site

MIAMI, FL – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited GA&L Construction Corp. Inc. and The Rinaldi Group of Florida LLC for failing to protect employees from fall hazards at a construction worksite in Miami, Florida. The two companies face $87,327 in penalties. 

June 21, 2019

U.S. Department of Labor Forms Alliance with National Utility Contractors Association of South Florida to Prevent Excavation Hazards

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has signed a two-year alliance with the National Utility Contractors Association of South Florida (NUCA of South Florida) to reduce employee exposure to trenching and excavation hazards. OSHA signed the alliance to coincide with Trench Safety Stand-Down Week, June 17-21, 2019. Learn more about the stand-down.

June 20, 2019

U.S. Department of Labor Enters Partnership to Promote Safety During Construction of Amazon Distribution Center in Wisconsin

OAK CREEK, WI – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has signed a strategic partnership with Ryan Companies US Inc., the Milwaukee Building & Construction Trades Council, and Wisconsin Safety and Health Consultation Program to promote worker safety and health during the construction of a two million-square-foot Amazon Distribution Center in Oak Creek, Wisconsin.

June 20, 2019

U.S. Department of Labor Cites Ohio Manufacturer for Exposing Employees to Respiratory, Chemical, and Other Hazards

CANTON, OH – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Ohio Gratings Inc. – a manufacturer of aluminum, stainless steel, and carbon products based in Canton, Ohio – for exposing employees to respiratory, chemical, and other hazards. OSHA cited the company for 17 serious and five other-than-serious safety and health violations, and faces penalties of $183,748.