News
In response to the 2013 explosion at a West Texas Fertilizer Co. facility in West, TX, OSHA reinterpreted its Process Safety Management Standard to remove exemptions from complying with the rule for large facilities storing and selling chemicals.
A new instruction document outlines how OSHA inspectors are to enforce the agency’s new Hazard Communication Standard.
House Republicans are asking the White House to withdraw an Executive Order that would require contractors to disclose violations of OSHA and other labor rules.
Notable proposed fines
$423,900 to a Texas construction company for excavation violations after a worker was severely injured in a trench collapse, in which co-workers dug him out with their bare hands
$367,400 to a construction company and a staffing agency for failing to provide fall protection, notify OSHA of an injury and inspect a jobsite in Texas where a temporary worker fractured his arms and suffered severe contusions in a fall
$211,000 to paper manufacturing facility in upstate New York for allegedly failing to train and provide fire-resistant clothing to a worker who was fatally burned by fly ash dust while changing filter bags
$83,200 to a Wisconsin furniture retailer for machine hazards and failing to report to OSHA a worker’s finger amputation
Review Counter
Below is a count of how many days recent OSHA proposals have been under review, as of July 27:
| # of Days | OSHA Proposal |
| 25 | Walking/Working Surfaces and Personal Fall Protection Systems (final rule) |
The Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs – part of the White House’s Office of Management and Budget – reviews proposed regulations. The process is required for most rules before they can move forward, and typically takes 90 days.
The opinions expressed in "On Safety" do not necessarily reflect those of the National Safety Council or affiliated local Chapters.