OSHA has proposed a total of $119,500 in fines against Con-Way Freight Inc., an Ann Arbor, Mich.-based delivery carrier, for alleged willful, repeat, and serious safety violations following an inspection at the company's Manchester, N.H., service center.
The inspection was prompted by an Oct. 3, 2007, accident in which a Con-Way Freight employee died when he was crushed beneath the forklift he was operating after it went off the edge of a loading dock. OSHA's inspection found that the employee had not been using the forklift's seatbelt, and the company had not trained him and other forklift operators to follow the manufacturer's guideline that seatbelts be used during operation.
"Manufacturer guidelines require the use of seatbelts, and OSHA's powered industrial truck standard mandates that employers train their forklift operators to follow those guidelines," said Francis Pagliuca, OSHA's acting area director for New Hampshire. "Con-Way Freight repeatedly has refused to require forklift operators to use seatbelts even though another employee died in a similar accident in Dallas in 2003. This practice must change, or employees nationwide continually will remain exposed to the dangers of fatal or disabling injuries."
For the lack of training, OSHA issued Con-Way Freight one willful citation, with the maximum proposed fine of $70,000. OSHA defines a willful violation as one committed with plain indifference to or intentional disregard for employee safety and health. The company also was issued one repeat citation, with a $35,000 fine, for allowing the forklift to be operated in a defective condition. OSHA cited the company's Bridgeview, Ill., facility for a similar hazard in May 2007.
In addition, OSHA issued three serious citations, with $14,500 in fines, for the lack of seatbelt use, not having the forklift maintain a safe distance from the edges of the loading dock, and not marking aisles and passageways for forklift use. OSHA defines a serious violation as a condition that exists where there is a substantial possibility that death or serious physical harm can result.
Fire Alarm Control Panel Recalled by Gamewell FCI Due to Alert Failure
Gamewell-FCI, of Northford, Conn., has voluntarily recalled its FCI 7100 Series Fire Alarm Control Panel in cooperation with the CPSC. About 3,000 units are being recalled because the sounder on the panel’s main circuit board can fail to alert when there is a malfunction.
No injuries or incidents have been reported. This recall involves Gamewell-FCI 7100 Series fire alarm control panels. The panels provide control, display, and annunciation information. The units, manufactured in the United States, were sold by authorized distributors to commercial end users in facilities such as hotels and office buildings nationwide from May through November 2007 for between $900 and $1,800.
Gamewell-FCI is contacting customers directly and is providing a free repair kit. In the event of sound failure during an alarm, other various audible and visual indicators will notify occupants of an alarm condition.
Michigan Safety Conference Begins April 15
It provides participants with quality health, safety, and environmental education. The 78th annual conference will be held April 15 and 16 at the Lansing Center.
The conference will include more than 250 booth spaces with exhibitors showing products and services related to industrial hygiene, insurance, fire safety, protective apparel, safety glasses, ear protection, safety shoes, noise control, consulting, safety training programs, fall protection, hazardous materials, gas detection ergonomics, and much more.
UL Fire and Security Publication Available Online
The Fire & Security Authority is published by the Regulatory Services Department and the Fire & Security Sector of UL.
- National Industrial Security Systems
- The Evolving Requirements for UL Certification of Spring Hinges
- Value of Quality Processes in the Contractor Industry—UL's new qualified contractor programs
- Canadian Corner—New Qualified Firestop Contractor Program
NIOSH Wants Comments on Beryllium Guidance
NIOSH is conducting public review of a draft NIOSH document entitled, “NIOSH Alert: Preventing Chronic Beryllium Disease and Beryllium Sensitization.” The draft Alert describes the nature of chronic beryllium disease and other health effects that can occur from exposure to beryllium and beryllium-containing materials. Recommendations for companies and workers to minimize the health risk to workers are also provided. When submitting comments to the NIOSH Docket, reference Docket Number 120.
Fatigue and Work Seminar
The National Safety Council is cosponsoring the “Fatigue and Work” Seminar on May 9, 2008, as part of The Big Sleep Show in Chicago, Ill. The seminar will focus on workplace issues such as drowsy driving, shift work, healthy sleep, and napping. Speakers include leading experts and authors from NASA, industry, and the research community. The Big Sleep Show on May 9–10, 2008 is the first-ever consumer health expo solely dedicated to sleep and alertness.Safety News Links