October 7, 2015

OSHA News Brief: OSHA finds excavating company exposed employees to trenching hazards at Evans City, Pennsylvania, worksite [10/07/2015]

Employer name: Mark Mashuda Excavating Inc., 113 Lakeland Drive, Mars, Pennsylvania. The inspection site was the Peachmont Farms Development, Evans City, Pennyslvania, where workers were installing a sewer line.

Citations issued: On September 29, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration issued two willful one serious safety citations.

October 7, 2015

OSHA News Brief: Safety mechanisms would have prevented worker's death [10/07/2015]

Employer name: Endicott Clay Products, Endicott, Nebraska

Citations received: Oct. 6, 2015

Investigation findings: The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration's Omaha Area Office cited the Endicott brick manufacturing plant for three serious safety violations, after a 41-year-old worker was fatally crushed in a machine on June 16, 2015.

October 7, 2015

OSHA News Brief: Construction contractors from Lebanon and Lancaster counties cited by OSHA for exposing workers to fall hazards [10/07/2015]

Employer names: Arthur Funk & Sons Inc., a commercial and institutional building construction contractor located at 1405 Birch Road, Lebanon, Pennsylvania, and Weaver Construction and Roofing Inc., a roofing contractor located at 4873 Division Highway, East Earl, Pennsylvania.

The inspected worksite was located at 844 Tuck Street, Lebanon, Pennsylvania, where construction of a new cancer center for Good Samaritan Hospital is underway. Funk was the general contractor and Weaver was a subcontractor to Funk.

October 7, 2015

OPA News Release: Three at Department of Labor recognized for achievements in public service [10/07/2015]

WASHINGTON — The non-profit, non-partisan Partnership for Public Service, at an awards ceremony tonight, will present the Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medals, known as "Sammies," to public servants in recognition of their outstanding achievements. Edward C. Hugler, deputy assistant secretary for operations at the U.S. Department of Labor, will be honored with the Management Excellence Medal.

October 7, 2015

OFCCP News Release: US Labor Department files second lawsuit alleging hiring discrimination at Pilgrim's Pride chicken plants [10/07/2015]

ATLANTA — One of the world's largest chicken processors systematically discriminated against qualified African-American applicants seeking entry-level jobs as laborers and operatives at its chicken plant in Marshville, North Carolina, the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs alleges in a lawsuit filed against Pilgrim's Pride Corporation.

October 6, 2015

OSHA News Brief: Falling boxes of patio furniture at Massachusetts Big Lots store strike employee, causing hospitalization

Employer name: Big Lots Stores Inc.

Inspection site: 10 Newbury St., Danvers, Mass. 01923

What prompted inspection: An assistant manager was hospitalized after boxes of patio furniture and other stock, weighing up to 53 pounds each, fell and struck him in the store's rear stockroom.

October 6, 2015

US Labor Department urges storm recovery workers and public to be vigilant and aware of hazards during storm cleanup

ATLANTA – North Carolina residents - emergency workers, employers and the public - recovering from the impact of Hurricane Joaquin should be aware of the hazards they may encounter and take necessary steps to stay safe, the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration urges.

October 6, 2015

Commission decision reinstates MSHA's POV authority over Brody Mining

ARLINGTON, Va. – In a Sept. 29 ruling, the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission overturned an administrative law judge's decision that invalidated an enforcement action taken two years ago against a West Virginia coal mine operator. Using one of its toughest enforcement tools, the Mine Safety and Health Administration issued a pattern of violations notice to Brody Mining LLC of Wharton in October 2013.

October 6, 2015

WHD News Brief: Florida clothing company, Exist Inc., fails to pay workers overtime pay [10/06/2015]

Employer name: Exist Inc.

Investigation site: 1650 NW 23 Ave, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33311

October 6, 2015

WHD News Release: 17 Houlihan's restaurants in New Jersey and New York short workers of tips and wages, US Department of Labor alleges [10/06/2015]

NEWARK, N.J. — Citing "pervasive skimming from employees' tips and wages," the U.S. Department of Labor has sued a Saddle Brook-based company that operates Houlihan's restaurants in New Jersey and New York and their owner for violations of the minimum wage, overtime and record-keeping requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act.

October 6, 2015

WHD News Brief: Tampa, Fla., restaurant denies workers minimum wage and overtime pay [10/06/2015]

Employer name: Wei's Hibachi Buffet LLC, doing business as Hibachi Buffet

Investigation site: 13151 N. Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa, Florida 33618

October 6, 2015

OSHA News Brief: Falling boxes of patio furniture at Massachusetts Big Lots store strike employee, causing hospitalization [10/06/2015]

Discount retailer faces $66K in OSHA fines for recurring hazards

Employer name: Big Lots Stores Inc.

Inspection site: 10 Newbury St., Danvers, Mass. 01923

What prompted inspection: An assistant manager was hospitalized after boxes of patio furniture and other stock, weighing up to 53 pounds each, fell and struck him in the store's rear stockroom.

October 6, 2015

OSHA News Release: US Labor Department urges storm recovery workers and public to be vigilant and aware of hazards during storm cleanup
[10/06/2015]

ATLANTA — North Carolina residents - emergency workers, employers and the public - recovering from the impact of Hurricane Joaquin should be aware of the hazards they may encounter and take necessary steps to stay safe, the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration urges.

October 6, 2015

OPA News Release: Statement by US Labor Secretary Thomas E. Perez on implementing minimum wage, overtime protections for home care workers [10/06/2015]

WASHINGTON — Today, Chief Justice of the United States John Roberts denied an application to stay a decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit upholding the U.S. Department of Labor's Home Care Final Rule. The court's Aug. 21, 2015, decision will take effect on Oct. 13 as a result. In response, U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez issued the following statement:

October 6, 2015

MSHA News Release: Commission decision reinstates MSHA's POV authority over Brody Mining [10/06/2015]

ARLINGTON, Va. — In a Sept. 29 ruling, the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission overturned an administrative law judge's decision that invalidated an enforcement action taken two years ago against a West Virginia coal mine operator. Using one of its toughest enforcement tools, the Mine Safety and Health Administration issued a pattern of violations notice to Brody Mining LLC of Wharton in October 2013.

October 6, 2015

ETA News Release: Department awards $3.2M to help West Virginia workers affected by coal mining industry layoffs rejoin workforce [10/06/2015]

Grant provides reemployment, training for more than 1,400 workers

WASHINGTON — As the demand for coal declines, industry workers are facing an increase in layoffs as employers adjust. In West Virginia alone, recent industry reductions have affected more than 9,200 people with more layoffs likely. As many as 1,100 additional workers face an uncertain future.

October 5, 2015

MSHA initiative to combat 'deadliest month' for miners

Safety alert addresses seasonal preparation incidents

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A front-end loader operator died when caught between the bucket of an excavator and the conveyor frame as he attempted to move at a sand and gravel operation.

October 5, 2015

OSHA News Brief: Judge affirms OSHA citations against Alabama auto parts supplier following the amputation of a temporary worker's hand and fingers

Date of Action: Sept. 29, 2015

Type of Action: Decision and Order

Name of Defendant: Matsu Alabama Inc., doing business as a division of Matcor Automotive Inc., a manufacturer and supplier of automotive parts to various companies, including General Motors, Chrysler, Honda, Toyota and Nissan.

October 5, 2015

OSHA finds improperly equipped furnace led to deadly explosion at TIMET s Morgantown, Pennsylvania, manufacturing plant

MORGANTOWN, Pa. – A 27-year-old furnace worker was killed in an explosion when a boiler lid 20 feet in diameter flew off inside the TIMET titanium manufacturing plant on 900 Hemlock Road in Morgantown. The lid struck Jacob Lopez and injured three other employees in the March 27, 2015, incident.

October 5, 2015

OSHA News Brief: Charleston roofing contractor cited after worker hospitalized for heat-related illness while working at State Capitol Complex

Employer name: Tri-State Roofing and Sheet Metal Co., PO Box 1231, Charleston, West Virginia. The inspection site was the State Capitol Complex, Building 3, in Charleston.

Citations issued: On September 25, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration issued the company one general duty clause citation for exposing employees to heat stress conditions, and one serious citation.