April 13, 2020

U.S. Department of Labor Announces OSHA Interim Enforcement Response Plan to Protect Workers During The Coronavirus Pandemic

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) today announced an interim enforcement response plan for the coronavirus pandemic. The response plan provides instructions and guidance to OSHA Area Offices and compliance safety and health officers (CSHOs) for handling coronavirus-related complaints, referrals, and severe illness reports.

April 10, 2020

U.S. Department of Labor Again Cites Ohio Contractor For Exposing Roofing Workers to Falls

COLUMBUS, OH ‒ The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Alejandro Vazquez Gallegos – a contractor based in Columbus, Ohio – for exposing employees to falls at job sites in Pickerington and Galena, Ohio. The roofing contractor faces penalties of $236,642 for two willful, two repeat and four serious safety violations.

April 10, 2020

U.S. Department of Labor Issues Enforcement Guidance For Recording Cases of COVID-19

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued interim guidance for enforcing OSHA’s recordkeeping requirements (29 CFR Part 1904) as it relates to recording cases of COVID-19.

April 10, 2020

U.S. Department of Labor Cites Atlanta Contractor for Safety Hazards After Employee Fatality on I-285 Highway Project

ATLANTA, GA – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Martin-Pinero CPM LLC – a construction contractor based in Atlanta, Georgia – for exposing employees to fall hazards after a fatal incident at a highway construction project in Atlanta. The company faces $170,020 in penalties.

April 9, 2020

U.S. Department of Labor, Industry Leaders and Safety Professionals Join For 2020 National Safety Stand-Up for Grain Safety Week, April 13-17

 WASHINGTON, DC ‒ To raise awareness about the hazards in the grain handling industry ‒ including potentially deadly engulfment ‒ the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is joining with industry leaders and safety professionals nationwide for the Stand Up4 Grain Safety Week, April 13-17, 2020.

April 8, 2020

U.S. Department of Labor Expands Temporary Guidance for Respirator Fit-Testing to All Industries during COVID-19 Pandemic

WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has expanded temporary guidance provided in a March 14, 2020, memorandum regarding supply shortages of N95s or other filtering facepiece respirators (FFRs) due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

April 8, 2020

U.S. Department of Labor Issues Alert to Keep Retail Workers Safe During Coronavirus Pandemic

WASHINGTON, DC –The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued an alert listing safety tips employers can follow to help protect retail workers from exposure to coronavirus.

Safety measures employers can implement to protect employees working in pharmacies, supermarkets, big box stores and other retail establishments include:

April 8, 2020

U.S. Department of Labor Cites Ohio Manufacturer For Exposing Employees to Machine Hazards

MCCOMB, OH – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Hearthside Food Solutions Inc. – a manufacturer of brand name cookies and crackers – for violations of OSHA’s machine safety standards after two employees suffered severe injuries in separate incidents at the McComb, Ohio, facility. The company faces $262,169 in penalties.

April 8, 2020

U.S. Department of Labor Reminds Employers That They Cannot Retaliate Against Workers Reporting Unsafe Conditions During Coronavirus Pandemic

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is reminding employers that it is illegal to retaliate against workers because they report unsafe and unhealthful working conditions during the coronavirus pandemic. Acts of retaliation can include terminations, demotions, denials of overtime or promotion, or reductions in pay or hours.

April 6, 2020

U.S. Department of Labor Cites Skinner Tank Company After Employee’s Fatal Fall at St. Joseph, Missouri, Worksite

ST. JOSEPH, MO ‒ The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Skinner Tank Company – based in Yale, Oklahoma – for lack of fall protection after an employee constructing a storage tank suffered fatal injuries in a 50-foot fall at a Missouri agricultural facility in October 2019. The company faces $415,204 in penalties for two willful and 11 serious safety violations, and has been placed in OSHA’s Severe Violator Enforcement Program.

April 6, 2020

U.S. Department of Labor Publishes New OSHA Poster Aimed At Reducing Workplace Exposure to the Coronavirus

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued a new poster listing steps all workplaces can take to reduce the risk of exposure to coronavirus.

April 6, 2020

U.S. Department of Labor, Grain and Feed Association of Illinois Establish Alliance to Address Grain Handling Hazards

PEORIA, IL – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA),  Grain and Feed Association of Illinois (GFAI), and Illinois On-Site Consultation Program have signed a two-year alliance to address safety and health hazards employees face at Illinois grain-handling sites.

April 3, 2020

U.S. Department of Labor Cites Engineering Firm, General Contractor, Steel Erector, Other Subcontractors After New Orleans Construction Collapse

NEW ORLEANS, LA – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Heaslip Engineering LLC, Citadel Builders LLC, Suncoast Projects LLC – doing business as Hub Steel – and eight subcontractors for safety and health violations at the construction site of a planned Hard Rock hotel in downtown New Orleans. Three workers suffered fatal injuries and 18 other workers suffered serious injuries in a partial building collapse. 

April 3, 2020

U.S. Department of Labor Issues Guidance for Respiratory Protection During N95 Shortage Due to COVID-19 Pandemic

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued interim enforcement guidance to help combat supply shortages of disposable N95 filtering face piece respirators (N95 FFRs). The action marks the department’s latest step to ensure the availability of respirators and follows President Donald J. Trump’s Memorandum on Making General Use Respirators Available.

April 3, 2020

U.S. Department of Labor Cites Three Employers After Worker Injured at Northwestern University

EVANSTON, IL –  The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited three employers – Northwestern University, Hill Mechanical Corp. and National Heat & Power Corp. – for exposing workers to permit-required confined space hazards associated with underground steam vaults. Proposed penalties for the three companies total $235,962.

April 3, 2020

U.S. Department Of Labor Issues Guidance for Respirators Certified under Other Countries’ Standards During COVID-19 Pandemic

WASHINGTON, DC – In the latest effort to implement President Donald J. Trump’s Memorandum on Making General Use Respirators Available, the U.S.

April 1, 2020

U.S. Department of Labor Cites Construction Contractors for Safety Violations After Worker Fatality and Injuries at I-4 Ultimate Project in Florida

ORLANDO, FL – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Skanska-Granite-Lane – a joint venture operating as SGL Constructors – for exposing employees to safety hazards at the I-4 Ultimate Improvement Project worksite in Orlando, Florida. One worker suffered fatal injuries and another was hospitalized. The contractor faces $53,976 in penalties.

April 1, 2020

U.S. Department of Labor Cites New Jersey Manufacturer For Safety Lapse Again After Employee Amputation

LAWRENCE TOWNSHIP, NJ – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited BWay Corp. – doing business as Mauser Packaging Solutions – for workplace safety and health hazards after an employee suffered an amputation on Sept. 26, 2019, at the Lawrence Township, New Jersey, facility. The company faces $151,329 in penalties.

March 30, 2020

U.S. Department of Labor Cites Florida Manufacturer for Amputation, Noise and Other Safety and Health Hazards

POMPANO BEACH, FL – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Assura Windows and Doors LLC for exposing employees to amputation, noise, struck-by and other safety and health hazards at the Pompano Beach, Florida, manufacturing facility. The window and door manufacturer faces $162,688 in penalties.

March 23, 2020

U.S. Department of Labor Cites Florida Roofing Contractor for Exposing Employees to Fall Hazards at Port Saint Lucie Worksites

PORT SAINT LUCIE, FL – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Turnkey Construction Planners Inc. – based in Melbourne, Florida – for exposing employees to fall hazards at two worksites in Port Saint Lucie, Florida. The roofing contractor faces $114,294 in penalties.