State News

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.

Lansing, MI – The Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration has approved two alternatives for complying with its rules on scissor lifts.

Springfield, IL – The Illinois Department of Transportation recently announced plans to offer an online version of its Traffic Incident Management Training Program for emergency responders.

St. Paul, MN – Power press operators should wear proper eye, hand and feet protection to avoid potential hazards created by their work, Minnesota OSHA warns in a recently issued safety hazard alert.

Topeka, KS – Kansas will launch a study to examine the possibility of creating a state agency to oversee occupational safety and health, under a bill signed May 12 by Gov. Sam Brownback (R).

Phoenix – OSHA’s threat to take away Arizona’s oversight of construction safety – prompted by alleged inadequacies in the state’s fall protection standard – is unnecessary in light of recently passed legislation, an attorney representing the state said in a May 1 letter to the federal agency.

Honolulu – In an effort to reduce workplace deaths and injuries in the Pacific region’s retail industry, OSHA has launched a Local Emphasis Program.