OSHA watch
Coronavirus guidance and related standards
See first article in this eNewsletter - Coronavirus: Workers' Compensation and OSHA considerations.
National Emphasis Program to reduce or eliminate worker exposure to silica extended in Pennsylvania, Delaware, West Virginia, and District of Columbia
An initiative to increase the focus of inspections in maritime, construction, and general industries on identifying, reducing, or eliminating worker exposures to respirable crystalline silica has been launched. The NEP on respirable crystalline silica targets specific industries in each area that are expected to have the highest numbers of workers exposed to silica. It also focuses on enforcement of two new silica standards, one for the general and maritime industries, and one for the construction industry. Compliance assistance is available until May 3, 2020, after which inspections under the NEP will begin.
National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls postponed
The 7th annual National Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction, originally scheduled for May 4-8, 2020, was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The event will be rescheduled this summer.
National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls webinar
The National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls will conduct an April 16 webinar on fall prevention practices.
Whistleblower protections public meeting
A public meeting on May 13 will solicit comments on the whistleblower protection laws. The public will also be able to participate in the meeting by telephone.
Voluntary Protection Programs manual revised
The Policies and Procedures Manual for the Voluntary Protection Programs was recently revised.
Recent fines and awards
Florida
- Turnkey Construction Planners Inc., based in Melbourne was cited for exposing employees to fall hazards at two worksites in Port Saint Lucie. The roofing contractor faces $114,294 in penalties.
Illinois
- Monahan Filaments LLC., based in Arcola, was cited for violations of machine safety standards after an employee suffered severe injuries. The manufacturer of synthetic filaments for brushes and brooms faces $258,271 in penalties and was placed in the Severe Violator Enforcement Program (SVEP).
Massachusetts
- In response to a complaint, Dollar Tree Stores in Boston was cited for exit and storage hazards and faces $523,745 in penalties. The national retailer received two willful and three repeat violations.
Missouri
- R&R Contracting Services Inc. was cited after an employee suffered fatal injuries when he was crushed by a powered industrial truck at the company's O'Fallon facility. The portable restroom service provider faces nine serious violations and proposed penalties of $52,626.
Nebraska
- Interstate Commodities, based in Troy, New York, faces $228,592 in penalties for grain handling violations after an employee was fatally engulfed in a grain bin at the company's Fremont facility. The company was cited for seven repeat and 10 serious safety and health violations involving hazards associated with grain handling, falls, respiratory protection, powered industrial trucks and electrical safety. It was placed in the SVEP.
Pennsylvania
- In response to a complaint, Dollar Tree Stores in Bethlehem was cited for exit and storage hazards and faces $296,861 in penalties.
Wisconsin
- Dollar Tree Stores was cited for exit, storage, and fire hazards at its Marinette location. The national discount retailer faces $477,089 in penalties.