A-1 Excavating Inc. landed in the headlines of business sections in broadsheets and newspapers. The reason: a list of noticeable violations of federal safety standards. What made the story more interesting was the company’s denial of the citations OSHA made against them, until it finally settled on September 30, 2009 – $474,000 from the original [...]

OSHA’s new national emphasis program takes on the initiative to deal with workplaces where hazardous chemicals are released. This has been a concern because the release of highly hazardous chemicals into the atmosphere can lead to toxic fires and explosions—hazards that can very well endanger the lives of many. Policies and procedures for inspecting workplaces [...]

OSHA announced in the Sept 9 Federal Register that they are issuing a final rule revising the personal protective equipment sections of its general industry, shipyard employment, longshoring and marine terminals standard regarding requirements for eye- and face-protective devices, and head and foot protection. “Workers exposed to occupational hazards requiring head, foot, or eye and [...]

Labor data shows that Texas has the highest number of construction worker deaths in the country last year.  Two out of 3.4 workers who die every day are Hispanics, according to the chairman of the U.S. Hispanic Contractors Association (USHCA).  Just this June, three construction workers fell to their death while working on scaffolds.  A [...]

In 2007, an employee of an Alaska-based contractor filed a complaint alleging retaliation by the contractor in violation of Section 11(c) of the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Act.  Section 11(c), in part, says “No person shall discharge or in any manner discriminate against any employee because such employee has filed any complaint or instituted [...]

Workers struck by vehicles or moving equipment is one of the most common causes of work related injuries and fatalities.  The presence of numerous heavy powered equipment and fast moving vehicles does not help and even makes this one of the most common accidents in the construction industry. In fact, it has been reported that [...]

The U.S. Department of Labor has given the state of Illinois’ OSHA the authority to administer their very own occupational safety and health plan for public employees in the state. The notice of authorization for the public employee protection plan appeared in the recent edition of the Federal Register. Illinois, New Jersey, Connecticut, New York [...]

The Safety Blog’s recent post on scissor lift’s fall protection caught the attention of our readers, especially one who particularly commented on the regulations lifted from 29 CFR 1926.453, Aerial Lifts. He said that 1926.453 refers to boom lifts, not scissor lifts.  He added that scissor lifts are regulated as scaffolds.  (Note : Thanks to [...]

We at Safety Blog value our readers and make it a point to consider their needs when coming up with blog articles. In this post, we will answer a reader’s query on scissor lifts. Reader asks: “There seems to be confusion about wearing fall protection on scissor lifts. Would it be possible for you to [...]

OSHA is proposing a $128,500 fine against MillerCoors, citing  10 alleged safety violations after the death of an employee and another accident that injured two more at the company’s plant in Golden, Colorado. William Leahy, a 54 year old packaging electrician died last February 2. His body was found at around 9:30pm at the Golden, [...]