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A San Diego Whistleblower Case and OSHA’s Protection Program

» by Gina September 16th, 2009 at 2:07 pm » Comments (0)

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 [...]



To the Rescue of the Heroes of September 11 through the 9/11 Health and Compensation Act

» by Karen September 11th, 2009 at 2:26 pm » Comments (2)

Eight years may have passed but the effects of the 9/11 terrorist attacks can still be felt, both by the victims and the heroes. In fact, the heroes of 9/11 have become today’s victims. When people rushed to Ground Zero with the intent of helping and being of assistance in any way that they could, [...]



Illinois OSHA gets new federal approval

» by Karen September 2nd, 2009 at 4:41 pm » Comments (0)

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 and [...]



Over $1 Million in Penalties for Wisconsin Plant

» by eric June 24th, 2009 at 2:34 pm » Comments (1)

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited a whey processing plant located in Wausau, Wisconsin a total of 1.14 million USD in penalties for their workplace safety violations. The amount is the second highest for this year that OSHA has sought against violators, according to Brad Mitchell of the US Department of Labor.
Milk [...]



Another company partners with OSHA thru OSPP and VPP for a better workplace

» by greg June 1st, 2009 at 4:12 pm » Comments (0)

In the news three days ago, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) partnered with yet another company in its desire to improve the health and safety of workers all throughout the country. This is the thrust of OSHA’s Strategic Partnership Program (OSPP).

In OSSP, a company and OSHA will come up with a unique [...]



First Cal/OSHA communicable disease standards, approved!

» by greg May 26th, 2009 at 5:04 pm » Comments (0)

Five days ago, in a non-contested decision in San Diego, the Cal/OSHA Standards Board adopted two new regulations on communicable disease – the General Industry Safety Orders §§ 5199 and 5199.1 or the aerosol transmissible and zoonotic disease standards.

These are the first-ever standards in the country that protect workers in the health care [...]



Dallas Cowboys’ Facility Collapse: Lessons on Legality

» by greg May 11th, 2009 at 2:40 pm » Comments (1)

Initial investigations on the recent collapse of the Dallas Cowboys’ practice facility in the city of Irving, Texas exposed some issues on legality related to planning, building and maintaining the facility.  Reports revealed the lack of the building’s blueprints and other specifications as well as the lack of an engineer’s seal on the planning documents.  [...]



New Bill to Protect Workers from Combustible Dust Explosion

» by eric February 18th, 2009 at 6:07 pm » Comments (0)

About a year ago, the whole nation was appalled with news of the explosion in the Imperial Sugar Refinery in Port Wentworth, Georgia. The tragedy claimed fourteen lives of workers and injured dozens others. As response to this unfortunate event, the Democratic members of Congress introduced the Worker Protection Against Combustible Dust Explosions [...]



Electrical Safety: Lineman Electrocuted after Reportedly Violating the “Hot Gloves” Rule

» by eric February 12th, 2009 at 2:15 pm » Comments (1)

A lineman in Bristol, Tennessee died shortly after getting hit with approximately 7,200 volts on the job. The worker, identified as Timothy James Parks, was electrocuted while handling a primary line, according to a Sheriff’s Office report.
Parks, 30, worked for Suncoast Communications Services, Inc., a subcontractor for Ocala Electric Utility. According to [...]



MSHA Update: Fire Prevention in Mining Sites with Better Conveyor Belts

» by debbiedebbie February 2nd, 2009 at 1:50 pm » Comments (0)

Better selection of conveyor belts may just save a life. As a matter of fact, they can save hundreds of lives in a mining site by preventing fire hazards. That is, if they have an improved flame-resistant quality.

The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) recently published a final rule implementing the [...]