News

OSHA has insufficient controls for VPP, raising questions as to whether program participants are protecting workers, the Department of Labor Office of Inspector General found.

Nearly one-third of top federal wage and safety violators receive federal contracts, according to a new Senate report.

Notable proposed fines

$293,700 an aluminum die casting manufacturing facility in Ohio for alleged struck-by, crushing and amputation hazards

$167,750 to a Connecticut-based welding contractor for allegedly failing to correct previously cited burn, fall and laceration hazards

$150,040 to a Georgia tortilla manufacturer for alleged amputation and caught-in hazards, as well as failing to service and maintenance equipment

$154,000 to a Florida roofing company for a variety of fall and ladder violations following the electrocution of a worker who was repositioning a metal ladder when it made contact with overhead electrical power lines

$147,000 to a prepared food manufacturing plant in Kansas for an alleged unguarded conveyor belt in connection with the severing of a worker’s hand

$119,000 to a Wisconsin foundry for alleged electrical violations in connection with an arc flash that severely burned a worker

$119,000 to an apparel and glassware manufacturing facility in Kansas for allegedly exposing workers to lead, cadmium and inorganic arsenic

$115,500 to a Syracuse, NY-based potato chip manufacturer for violations that include failing to install guardrails and remove damaged electrical parts

$103,000 to an Illinois construction company for allegedly failing to protect workers against falls

$90,090 to an Ohio manufacturer for violations involving guarding and inadequate training in connection with the struck-by injury of a worker that blinded him

$40,500 to a Houston-based construction company and a contractor in connection with a building collapse at the Texas A&M University campus that injured four workers

Happening this week

Jan. 6 – Deadline to submit nominations for membership with the Advisory Committee on Construction Safety and Health

Jan. 9 – Public meeting on an OSHA proposed rule to change recordkeeping requirements

The opinions expressed in "On Safety" do not necessarily reflect those of the National Safety Council or affiliated local Chapters.