State News

Washington – Federal OSHA has published its latest annual reports evaluating each of the 27 State Plan states.

Washington – OSHA is reconsidering Arizona’s State Plan status in light of a state statute that changed residential construction fall protection requirements to a level the federal agency claims is not “at least as effective” as federal requirements.

Sacramento, CA – California is requesting public comment on proposed revisions to the state’s Heat Illness Prevention Standard (Section 3395).

Salt Lake City – Citing 2012 data showing that 64 percent of worker deaths in the state occurred in the construction industry, Utah OSHA has launched a Local Emphasis Program aimed at reducing injuries and fatalities among construction workers.

Tumwater, WA – The Washington State Department of Labor and Industries’ Division of Occupational Safety and Health has released a bulletin that warns about the hazards of bark and mulch blower systems.

St. Paul, MN – Minnesota OSHA is advising the state’s employers and employees to prepare for severe weather this summer.

Portland, OR – Worker fatalities in Oregon dipped to their lowest level in at least seven years in 2012, according to a new report from the Oregon Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation program.

Bismarck, ND – OSHA is sending additional inspectors into North Dakota as part of an enforcement emphasis program intended to address worker safety concerns in the state’s high-hazard industries.

Salem, OR – A new comprehensive guide from Oregon OSHA intends to help small-business owners and managers develop respiratory protection programs.

Portland, OR – Three preventable logging fatalities in Oregon have prompted a new set of discussion points for supervisors to share with their crews.