OSHA watch

Civil penalties increase to adjust for inflation

OSHA is required to annually adjust civil penalties under a 2015 law that significantly increased the maximum penalties allowed for violations. In January, the maximum penalty for willful and repeat violations increased from $126,749 to $129,336. The maximum fines for other-than-serious, serious, and failure to abate violations rose from $12,615 to $12,934 per violation.

The updated regulatory agenda for fall 2017 contains fewer changes than the previous agenda

The fall agenda shows 16 regulations in three active stages: pre-rule, proposed rule and final rule - up from 14 in the previous agenda. Two rules were moved from "long-term action" status: amendments to the Cranes and Derricks in Construction Standard (now in the proposed rule stage), and Rules of Agency Practice and Procedure Concerning OSHA Access to Employee Medical Records (final rule stage).

The following regulations moved from the proposed rule stage in the previous agenda to the final rule stage in the new agenda:

• Occupational Exposure to Beryllium
• Crane Operator Qualification in Construction
• Quantitative Fit Testing Protocol: Amendment to the Final Rule on Respiratory Protection
• Technical Corrections to 16 OSHA Standards
• Improve Tracking of Workplace Injuries and Illnesses

The status of Standards Improvement Project IV, (Lockout/Tagout) the only regulation listed in the final rule stage in July, has not changed.

New fact sheet: Housekeeping, sanitation practices in commercial fishing

The new fact sheet, Commercial Fishing: Safe Housekeeping and Sanitation Practices, states that over half of the recordable injuries in commercial fishing are preventable through good housekeeping and sanitary practices.

New publication warns of fatal confined space hazards on farms

An addition to the Fatal Facts series emphasizes the hazards of working in confined spaces on farms. These spaces include grain and feed silos, sump pits, and manure storage tanks. The fact sheet examines an incident in which a worker asphyxiated inside a whey storage tank.

Safety reminders for snow removal activities

Wintry weather has taken hold across much of the country and employers and workers are reminded to stay mindful of safety during snow removal activities.

Enforcement notes

California

• International Polymer Solutions Inc. in Irvine received five citations related to failing to properly control hazardous energy when a moving machine part flew off and struck a worker in the chest, causing serious injury. Proposed penalties are $55,650.
• Hadley Date Gardens Inc. in Thermal was cited for serious workplace safety and health violations following a bee swarm that stung and killed a tree worker. The company faces $41,310 in proposed penalties for failing to evaluate the worksite for hazardous bee and insect exposure, and failing to establish appropriate safety protocols, which include providing protective equipment and training.

Florida

• Action Concrete Construction Inc. of Panama City Beach faces proposed penalties of $59,864 for exposing its employees to fall hazards and eye injuries.
• A fatality investigation involving the death of five workers at the Big Bend River Station electrical power plant in Apollo Beach resulted in citations to Tampa Electric Co. and Gaffin Industrial Services Inc., totaling over $160,000. The fines related to energy control procedures and PPE.

Georgia

• Koch Foods of Gainesville L.L.C. was cited for multiple safety and health violations at its poultry processing plant, including a repeat violation for exposing employees to amputation hazards by failing to provide machine guarding. Proposed penalties are $208,977.
• Stalwart Films LLC faces proposed penalties totaling the maximum allowable fine of $12,675, for the company's failure to provide adequate protection from fall hazards. While filming the television show, "The Walking Dead.," a stuntman was fatally injured after falling more than 20 feet.
• Social Circle-based Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. faces proposed penalties of $69,058 for exposing its employees to burn, hazardous energy, amputation, and caught-in safety hazards.
• Thomson-based auto parts manufacturer HP Pelzer Systems Automotive Inc. faces penalties for safety violations and proposed penalties totaling $129,336 after an employee suffered a finger amputation.

Illinois

• A pallet manufacturer, New Lenox-based Supplyside USA, which operates as Prime Woodcraft Inc., faces $91,862 in penalties after an employee was injured while performing maintenance on equipment.
• A mechanic, who alleged he was terminated after voicing concerns about unsafe working conditions at a bowling center owned by Lucky Strike Entertainment LLC, in Lombard, will receive a total of $40,000 in back wages as part of a consent judgment.

Indiana

• An administrative law judge affirmed citations against Fort Wayne-based commercial construction company, CME Corp, after a temporary employee was injured when he fell through an unguarded hole, but lowered the assessed fine to $6,500 in total penalties because of the company's strong safety record. The company had contested the fine, arguing the opening was a point of access to the upper level from the pit and did not need to be guarded under the applicable regulations.

Massachusetts

• Schnabel Foundation Company faces $212,396 in proposed penalties for failing to protect employees against crushing hazards while they installed permanent foundation supports beneath the Woburn Public Library. A 2,600-pound rock dislodged from the foundation and fatally struck an employee.

New York

• Marshall Ingredients LLC faces over $300,000 in proposed penalties after a temporary worker suffered a hand amputation. The company was cited for failing to protect employees against amputations and other hazards at its Wolcott facility. The temporary staffing agency, People Ready, was also cited with two serious violations for lack of hazardous energy control and fire extinguisher training. Proposed penalties totaled $24,020.