Post Your OSHA 300A Summary Log Beginning February 1

On February 1, employers must post a summary of the total number of job-related injuries and illnesses that occurred in the previous calendar year. Employers are only required to post the Summary (OSHA Form 300A)—not their entire OSHA 300 Log—from February 1 through April 30, 2010. 

Hazard Prevention eTool for Electric Power Industry

Workers in the electric power industry are potentially exposed to a variety of serious hazards, such as arc flashes (e.g., arc flash burn and blast hazards), electric shock, falls, and thermal burn hazards that can cause injury and death.  The eTool will aid in informing workers engaged in the generation, transmission, and distribution of electric power to understand the steps their employers must implement in order to provide them with a safe and healthful work environment.

OSHA to Hold Public Meeting on to Receive Input from Stakeholders on Issues Facing the Agency

OSHA has announced a public meeting, dubbed “OSHA Listens,” to solicit comments and suggestions from OSHA stakeholders on key issues facing the agency. The meeting is scheduled for February 10 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Washington, D.C.

“Public involvement in the government’s activities is a priority for this administration and is important to enhancing OSHA efforts to protect the safety and health of workers,” said Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA, Dr. David Michaels. “This public meeting gives us an opportunity to hear your ideas, suggestions and comments on key issues facing this agency.”

Some of the questions OSHA invites public input on include:

• What can OSHA do to enhance and encourage the efforts of employers, workers, and unions to identify and address workplace hazards?
• What are the most important emerging or unaddressed health and safety issues in the workplace, and what can OSHA do to address these?
• How can the agency improve its efforts to engage stakeholders in programs and initiatives?
• Are there additional measures to improve the effectiveness of the agency’s current compliance assistance efforts and the on-site consultation program to ensure small businesses have the information needed to provide safe workplaces?
• What specific actions can the agency take to enhance the voice of workers in the workplace, particularly workers who are hard to reach, who do not have ready access to information about hazards or their rights, or who are afraid to exercise their rights?

The public meeting will be held at the Frances Perkins Building auditorium, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, D.C.  In the e-mail, include:

• Your name, title, company or organization (if applicable), address, telephone number, and e-mail address.
• If you wish to make a short presentation, include the specific topic or issue to be addressed.

Those unable to attend may send written comments to OSHA Docket Office, Docket Number OSHA-2010-0004, Technical Data Center, Room N-2625, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20210,  Identify your comments with the docket number.

 

HHS Identifies Bisphenol A Concerns

Bisphenol A, known as BPA, is a chemical that has been used for more than forty years in making many hard plastic food containers such as baby bottles and reusable cups and the lining of metal food and beverage cans, including canned liquid infant formula. Trace amounts of BPA can be found in some foods packaged in these containers.

In 2008, the Food and Drug Administration conducted a review of toxicology research and information on BPA, and, at that time, assessed that food-related materials made with BPA on the market were safe. However, recent studies have reported subtle effects of low doses of BPA in laboratory animals. While BPA is not proven to harm children or adults, these newer studies have led federal health officials to express some concern about the safety of BPA.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) says that more research is needed to understand better the potential human health effects of exposure to BPA. Therefore, the agency is taking the following steps:

• The Administration is creating an Interagency Technical Working Group on Children’s Environmental Health that will combine the expertise of different federal agencies to focus on environmental health risks that disproportionately affect children. This Working Group will coordinate efforts across the government to research and address key environmental health questions including BPA.
• The Department of Health and Human Services—through its Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)—is investing in important new health studies in both animals and humans to better determine and evaluate the potential health consequences of BPA.
• The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) is providing $30 million in funding to investigate BPA, which includes support for FDA studies and external grants. The results of this scientific research is expected in approximately 18 to 24 months.
• FDA is supporting current industry efforts to stop the manufacture of infant bottles and feeding cups made with BPA from the U.S. market. FDA is seeking to strengthen its oversight of BPA so the agency can respond quickly, if necessary, when more scientific evidence becomes available.

 

Oregon OSHA Fines Americold Logistics $740,400 for Safety Violations

Oregon OSHA has fined Americold Logistics a total of $740,400 for extensive safety and health violations found during a September 16, 2009 inspection at the company’s Milwaukie, Oregon, facility. Oregon OSHA found that by not having proper safeguards in place to contain ammonia, the company was putting workers in serious danger of injury or death due to a major chemical release or explosion.

“Ammonia carries significant risks to workers, particularly in large quantities,” said Michael Wood, Oregon OSHA administrator. “Due to the size of this facility, there is the potential for a large-scale release.”

Oregon OSHA cited Americold Logistics, a national refrigerated warehouse operation, for 10 willful violations, four serious repeat violations, and 22 other serious violations of the Oregon Safe Employment Act. The bulk of the violations are related to the company’s system for handling the hazardous chemical anhydrous ammonia, which is common in commercial warehouses and can be explosive. Ammonia can also cause severe alkaline chemical burns to skin, eyes, and the respiratory system. If a chemical leak occurs, ammonia released from such a system will expand rapidly, making it difficult to contain.

Among other issues, the inspection identified excessive ice build up, creating the potential for system damage and in some cases encasing valves, making it difficult, if not impossible, to close them in the event of an emergency. The inspection also identified significant corrosion of pipes and missing drain valve plugs, making an ammonia release more likely.

Oregon OSHA previously conducted an accident investigation at the Milwaukie location in 2007, after two employees were sent to the hospital following an ammonia compressor explosion. As a result of that inspection, which was limited in scope, 18 violations were issued.

“Protecting workers from highly hazardous chemicals should be the result of a credible program of inspections, hazard identification, and preventive maintenance to ensure the system’s integrity,” Wood said. “The safety of the facility’s workers must not be left to chance.”

Another critical component in such a complex facility is accurately documenting regular inspections and testing, to allow for appropriate tracking and follow-up. In the Americold facility, the inspection found that company managers had documented the presence of safety measures that were not in place.

Oregon OSHA also cited the employer for violations of asbestos safety standards, due to damaged insulation.

Hypothermia—Staying Safe in Cold Weather

Hypothermia is defined as having a core body temperature of 96 degrees Fahrenheit (F) or lower and can occur when the outside environment gets too cold or the body’s heat production decreases. Our body’s response to cold can be diminished by underlying medical conditions such as diabetes and some medicines, including over-the-counter cold remedies.

Prolonged exposure to freezing or cold temperatures may cause serious health problems such as trench foot, frostbite, and hypothermia. In extreme cases, including cold water immersion, exposure can lead to death. Danger signs include uncontrolled shivering, slurred speech, clumsy movements, fatigue, and confused behavior. If these signs are observed, call for emergency help.

Tips on how to protect workers include:

•  
• Learn the signs and symptoms of cold-induced illnesses and injuries and what to do to help workers.
• Train workers about cold-induced illnesses and injuries.
• Encourage workers to wear proper clothing for cold, wet, and windy conditions, including layers that can be adjusted to changing conditions.
• Be sure workers in extreme conditions take frequent short breaks in warm dry shelters to allow their bodies to warm up.
• Try to schedule work for the warmest part of the day.
• Avoid exhaustion or fatigue because energy is needed to keep muscles warm.
• Use the buddy system—work in pairs so that one worker can recognize danger signs.
• Drink warm, sweet beverages (e.g., sugar water, sports-type drinks) and avoid drinks with caffeine (e.g., coffee, tea, sodas or hot chocolate) or alcohol.
• Eat warm, high-calorie foods such as hot pasta dishes.

Remember, workers face increased risks when they take certain medications, are in poor physical condition, or suffer from illnesses such as diabetes, hypertension, or cardiovascular disease.

Hypothermia can develop in older adults after relatively short exposure to cold weather or a small drop in temperature, because they may be less active and therefore generate less body heat.

Here are a few tips to help you prevent hypothermia at home:

• Make sure your home is warm enough. Even mildly cool homes with temperatures from 60 to 65 degrees F can trigger hypothermia in older people. To stay warm at home, wear long underwear under your clothes, use a blanket or afghan to keep legs and shoulders warm, and wear a hat or cap indoors.
• When outside in the cold, it is important to wear a hat, scarf, and gloves or mittens to prevent loss of body heat through your head, hands, and feet. Wear several layers of warm loose clothing to help trap warm air between the layers.
• Check with your doctor to see if any prescription or over-the-counter medications you are taking may increase your risk for hypothermia.

If you suspect that someone is suffering from the cold and you have a thermometer available, take his or her temperature. If it’s 96 degrees F or lower, call 911 for immediate help. If you see someone who has been exposed to the cold and has the following symptoms: slowed or slurred speech, sleepiness or confusion, shivering or stiffness in the arms and legs, poor control over body movements or slow reactions, and a weak pulse, he or she may be suffering from hypothermia.

OSHA Proposes $233,500 Fine against Home Goods for Exit Access Hazards at Long Island Store

OSHA has cited Home Goods for 16 alleged violations of workplace safety standards. The retailer faces a total of $233,500 in proposed fines, chiefly for exit access, fire, and crushing hazards at its Commack, New York, store.

Responding to an employee complaint, OSHA found exit routes obstructed by stock and equipment, an exit route too narrow for passage, stacked material that prevented employees from identifying the nearest exit, blocked access to fire extinguishers, workers not trained in fire extinguisher use, and boxes stored in unstable 8-foot high tiers.

OSHA had cited Home Goods in 2006 and 2007 for similar conditions at the company’s Mount Olive, New Jersey, and Somers, New York, locations. As a result of these recurring conditions, OSHA issued the company five repeat citations, with $200,000 in proposed fines, for the hazards at the Commack store.

“It’s been 99 years since the fire at The Triangle Shirtwaist Co., in New York City took the lives of nearly 150 workers and almost 19 years since two workers were killed when they were unable to exit the McCrory’s store in Huntington Station, New York, during a fire,” said Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA, Dr. David Michaels. “Blocked fire exits can be deadly. It is that simple.”

OSHA’s Commack inspection identified additional hazards, including a defective fire alarm box, a missing exit sign, electrical hazards, and inadequate chemical hazard communication. These conditions resulted in nine serious citations, with $32,500 in fines. OSHA issues serious citations when death or serious physical harm is likely to result from hazards about which the employer knew or should have known. Finally, the store was issued one other-than-serious citation, with a $1,000 fine, for not providing injury and illness logs.

“There can be no delay in exiting a workplace during a fire or other emergency when the difference between escape and injury or death can be measured in seconds,” said Michaels. “Employers must ensure that exit routes are unobstructed at all locations.”

“One means of preventing recurring hazards is for employers to establish an effective comprehensive workplace safety and health program through which involve their employees in proactively evaluating, identifying and eliminating hazards,” said Robert Kulick, OSHA’s regional administrator in New York.

 

OSHA Cites 3 Mississippi Companies for not Protecting Workers’ Safety while Constructing Gas Pipeline Meter Stations

Three companies are being cited by OSHA for exposing workers to hazards during the construction of gas pipeline meter stations in Mississippi. Mustang Engineering L.P., Grand Bluff Construction LLC, and Priority Energy Services received citations for failing to protect their workers after one worker died and three others were critically injured.

OSHA began its investigation after a July 2009 explosion at a meter station construction site in Raleigh, Mississippi, killed one worker. A second Priority Energy Services worker was critically injured, along with two Grand Bluff Construction workers.

“This tragedy could have been avoided if the companies involved had followed government and industry standards when conducting their pressure tests,” said Clyde Payne, director of OSHA’s Jackson Area Office.

OSHA has cited Mustang Engineering with two willful violations for exposing workers to struck-by hazards while performing pressure tests. Grand Bluff Construction has been cited with one willful and three serious violations related to exposing workers to struck-by hazards and failing to provide adequate training. Priority Energy Services has been cited with two serious violations for also exposing workers to struck-by hazards and one serious violation for allowing the use of a stairway without a railing.

OSHA defines a willful violation as one committed with plain indifference to or intentional disregard for employee safety and health. A serious citation is issued when there is substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result from a hazard about which the employer knew or should have known.

Proposed penalties for the three companies total $189,400, of which Mustang Engineering is receiving penalties of $112,500; Grand Bluff Construction, $67,900; and Priority Energy Services, $9,000.

OSHA Fines Rescar Industries Inc. $82,500 Following Fatality

OSHA has cited Rescar Industries Inc., for serious and other-than-serious safety and health violations following a fatality at its Gordon, Georgia, facility. In July 2009, an employee was switching railcars to different locations for repair and maintenance, and was struck by a series of runaway railcars.

The company has been cited with 26 serious safety and health violations with a total in proposed penalties of $82,500. Some of the safety violations include failing to train workers on safe railcar switching procedures, failing to provide derailer devices to prevent runaway railcars, failing to guard platforms to prevent fall hazards, failing to ensure proper lockout/tagout procedures of energy sources, and operating unsafe overhead cranes when an annual inspection identified serious safety conditions.

Some of the health violations the company was cited for include noise exposure hazards, a deficient respiratory program, a deficient confined space program, failing to provide workers required to perform first aid and cardio-pulmonary resuscitation duties with Hepatitis B vaccines, and exposing workers to the accumulation of combustible residue and dust on the walls and floors.

Two other-than-serious violations were issued for failing to log when an employee suffered a recordable hearing threshold shift during 2008 and 2009, and not maintaining the eyewash station. An other-than-serious violation is one that has a direct relationship to job safety and health, but probably would not cause death or serious physical harm.

“This company needs to improve its safety and health program to protect employees,” said Gei-Thae Breezley, area director for OSHA’s Atlanta-East Office.

OSHA Fines Lyons & Sons Inc., a Chocolate Processing Plant, Following Worker Fatality

OSHA has cited Lyons & Sons Inc., with seven serious citations and Cocoa Services LP with five serious citations for workplace safety and health violations following the death of a worker.

“It is absolutely imperative that these companies rectify these violations to prevent other workplace tragedies from occurring, “said Paula Dixon-Roderick, director of OSHA’s area office in Marlton, New Jersey. “One means of helping ensure worker safety is for employers to establish an effective safety and health management system through which they and their employees work together to proactively evaluate, identify and eliminate hazards before they result in injury or illness.”

OSHA began its investigation in July following the death of a worker who fell into a tank converting hard chocolate to liquid chocolate. The serious violations for both companies include a lack of railing on floor openings or working platforms above the melting tanks, employees working on melting platform exposed to nine-foot falls, employer failing to post warning signs on the melting tanks to indicate confined space and the employer failing to provide fire extinguisher training upon initial employment and annually thereafter.

Additional violations for Lyons & Sons include failing to provide enclosures or guards over energized wires on melting tank boilers and failing to provide a first aid program.

Lyons & Sons provide warehouse space to various customers at its Camden location and employs about 45 workers, and Moorestown, New Jersey-based Cocoa Services LP coverts hard chocolate to liquid chocolate and employs seven workers.

Lyons & Sons was assessed a penalty of $21,750 and Cocoa Services LP was assessed a penalty of $17,450.

Back Wages Secured for Fired Whistleblower in Case Against Orion Drilling Co.

A former employee of Corpus Christi-based Orion Drilling Co., who was fired after complaining to management about being exposed to mold in the workplace, has been paid $10,000 in back wages as a result of a settlement secured by the U.S. Department of Labor.

The former employee, who served as a crew member on a drilling rig, complained to management about being exposed to mold in the crew members’ living quarters. After being fired, the former employee filed a complaint with OSHA alleging a violation of the whistleblower provisions of the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Act of 1970. OSHA’s investigation found merit to the complaint.

After OSHA informed the employer of its preliminary finding and referred the case to the Labor Department’s Office of the Solicitor for enforcement, the employer elected to settle the case. In addition to paying the complainant the $10,000 in lost wages, the settlement agreement requires the employer to post a notice in the workplace informing employees of their rights under the OSH Act, and to purge all derogatory or negative statements from the fired employee’s personnel file.

“Employees should be free to exercise their rights under the law without fear of retaliation by their employers,” said Dean McDaniel, OSHA’s regional administrator in Dallas, Texas. “This settlement underscores the Labor Department’s commitment to vigorously take action to protect worker rights.”

OSHA enforces the whistleblower provisions of the OSH Act and 16 other statutes protecting employees who report violations of various trucking, airline, nuclear power, pipeline, environmental, rail and securities laws. 

$79,000 Fine Issued for Deaths of Three Employees Caused while Conducting Confined Space Work

OSHA has completed inspections prompted by a June 29, 2009, triple fatality at a Jamaica, New York, recycling facility. An employee of S. Dahan Piping and Heating Co., of South Ozone, New York, was fatally overcome by hydrogen sulfide gas while cleaning a dry well at Regal Recycling Co., Inc. Then, when attempting to rescue the first victim from the dry well, two additional people perished; the father of the first victim, who was the owner of S. Dahan Piping and Heating, and an employee of Regal Recycling.

OSHA’s inspection found that S. Dahan Piping and Heating should have monitored the air quality in the dry well to determine if there was a lack of oxygen or the presence of another breathing hazard before any of its employees entered the dry well to perform their duties. If a hazard was found, protective measures would need to have been implemented prior to employee entry. OSHA defines a confined space as a space that has limited or restricted access of entry or exit, is large enough for a worker to enter and work in, but is not designed for continuous occupancy. Regal Recycling failed to post signs warning its employees of hazards that may be present in a confined space, such as the dry well.

“Unfortunately, this incident was a classic example of a multiple-fatality event where would-be rescuers are themselves overcome in their attempt to save the initial victim,” said Kay Gee, OSHA’s area director for Queens, Manhattan, and Brooklyn. “Many deaths in confined spaces occur because people who are attempting to rescue someone else are neither trained nor equipped to do so.”

As a result of its findings, OSHA has issued four serious citations to S. Dahan Piping and Heating for the confined-space hazards and for not having a respiratory-protection program.

“This family has already paid an incalculable price with the loss of two of its loved ones,” said Robert Kulick, OSHA’s regional administrator in New York. “Nothing can restore their lives, but it is our hope that employers will heed these findings and take effective action to prevent future confined-space tragedies.”

Regal Recycling Co., was issued one serious citation for the absence of warning signs and for failure-to-abate notices for not correcting unrelated respiratory protection and guardrail hazards cited after a January 2009 OSHA inspection. Failure-to-abate citations are issued when an employer does not correct specific hazards cited in a previous OSHA inspection. Regal Recycling faces a total of $79,000 in fines.

 

MillerCoors Grain Elevator in Golden, Colorado, Recognized as VPP Star Site

OSHA has recognized the management and employees of the MillerCoors McIntyre Grain Elevator in Golden for achievement in its employee safety and health program. The site, which processes, stores, and distributes barley, was designated a VPP Star site, the highest level of recognition that OSHA’s Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP) offers. A VPP Star site meets or exceeds safety and health program elements that far exceed minimum OSHA standards.

“The McIntyre Elevator is a true leader in employee safety and health, especially in the grain processing industry and we are very fortunate to have such high quality workplaces in our region,” said Bob Glover, assistant regional administrator for OSHA in Denver. “This is the fourth grain elevator in the company to be recognized by OSHA for safety and health excellence.”

An OSHA VPP flag and plaque were presented to the McIntyre team at the January 14 ceremony.

OSHA’s recognition programs include the VPP for employers and employees who have implemented exemplary workplace safety and health management systems. In the VPP, management, labor, and OSHA work cooperatively and proactively to prevent injuries, illnesses, and workplace hazards. As part of attaining VPP status, employers must demonstrate management commitment to the safety and health of their employees and actively involve employees in the safety and health management system.

DOL/OSHA Schedules Conference on Latino Worker Safety and Health

Following a Labor Day announcement from Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis, OSHA will convene a National Action Summit for Latino Worker Health and Safety, April 14-15 at the Hilton Americas Hotel in Houston, Texas. The conference is co-sponsored by NIOSH.

The conference will bring together workers and representatives from employer associations, labor unions, the faith community, community organizations, the medical community, safety and health professionals, educators, government officials, Consulates, the entertainment community, and other non-traditional partners.

Construction will be the primary industry targeted. Latino immigrant workers comprise almost one quarter of the construction industry workforce and suffer the highest rate of construction-related deaths. The conference will also target other high-risk industries that employ large numbers of Latino workers.

“Far too many Latino workers have needlessly lost their lives just trying to earn a living and it must stop,” said Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA, David Michaels. “At the summit, we will shine a spotlight on the hazards and challenges faced by this vulnerable sector of the nation’s workforce so that we can begin crafting new, badly needed strategies to prevent thousands of injuries and deaths every year.”

The conference will also showcase innovative partnerships, demonstrate successful education and training strategies, and develop effective enforcement and communication strategies. 

2009 South Caronina Safety Achievement Awards Program

The South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation would like to invite companies to participate in the 2009 Safety Achievement Awards program. The program recognizes a firm’s efforts to reduce recordable occupational injuries and illnesses during the past year.

The program is open to any employer with an average of 100 or more employees. Awards are presented in four categories:

• No recordable injuries or illnesses during calendar year 2009.
• A reduction of at least 40% in an employer’s incidence rate between 2008 and 2009.
• A difference of at least 75% in an employer’s incidence rate and the South Carolina average rate for that industry.
• Worked one million or more safe work hours without a lost-time injury or illness.
•  
• Please be sure to include the name of your company as you want it to appear on the award. If you have any questions, please contact Teresa Higgins by phone at 803-896-4373  Applications may be sent by fax to Teresa at 803-896-4393.

Safety News Links

Hazmat Incidents and Workplace Accidents

 

Meetings and Conferences

 

Worker Health and Safety

 

News of Note