According to the Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the rate of workplace injuries and illnesses in the private industry declined in 2005 for the third consecutive year. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao issued the following statement about the report:
"The announcement that workplace injuries and illnesses in 2005 were at an all-time low is more good news for America's workers and reflects the department's effective worker health and safety strategy: 1) compliance assistance; 2) health and safety partnerships with labor, and; 3) targeted, aggressive enforcement against bad actors.
"As encouraging as the report is, there is more to do and the department is working hard to make workplaces even safer and healthier for America's workers."
OSHA Issues Direct Final Rule to Update Fire Protection Standards for Shipyards
OSHA issued a revised fire protection final rule for shipyard employment in September 2004 that incorporated 19 NFPA standards. NFPA subsequently updated a number of these consensus standards. Because the newer standards had not been included in the 2004 proposal, the public had not been given adequate notice to allow the agency to reference them in the final rule.
The direct final rule adds 10 updated National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards to OSHA's shipyard fire protection standard and requires employers to use the more recent versions. The updated standards also incorporate some newer technologies for fire protection equipment so employees may receive greater protection from shipyard fire hazards.
The standards are being updated through the direct final rule approach, which saves regulatory resources over notice and comment rulemaking (when there is no opposition) by eliminating one stage in the rulemaking process. If no significant adverse comments are received, the final rule would become effective on Jan. 16, 2007.
Public comments must be sent in triplicate by Nov. 16, 2006 to the Docket Office, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Ave., N.W., Room N-2625, Washington, D.C. 20210. Comments on the direct final rule should reference Docket No. S-051A.
OSHA Cites Fort Myers, Fla., Company $58,500 for Trenching Hazards
OSHA has cited John Carlo, a Fort Myers, Fla., underground utilities installation company, following a May 2006 inspection of a trenching project located in Naples, Fla. The agency is proposing penalties totaling $58,500.
"Our inspection was conducted under a special emphasis program to prevent worker injuries and deaths," said Luis Santiago, OSHA's area director in Fort Lauderdale. "We are proposing stiff penalties because this company is being cited for alleged trenching violations similar to those which resulted in a fatal trench collapse in 2004."
OSHA issued one willful citation to John Carlo, with a proposed penalty of $55,000, for exposing employees to a potential cave-in while working in an unprotected trench over seven feet deep. The agency issues a willful citation when an employer has shown intentional disregard of, or plain indifference to, the requirements of the Occupational Safety and Health Act and regulations.
The company also received one serious citation, with a proposed penalty of $3,500, for failing to provide workers with a safe means of entering and exiting the trench. A serious citation is issued when there is substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result and the employer knew, or should have known, of the hazards.
OSHA Cites Contractor for Unsafe Scaffolding at Marine Corps Recruit Depot in S.C.
OSHA has cited Pettit Construction for allegedly exposing employees to fall hazards from defective scaffolding at a construction site at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, S.C. The agency is proposing penalties totaling $67,900.
"Preventing falls, a leading cause of worker deaths and injuries in the Southeast, is a goal of this agency," said Suzanne Street, OSHA's Columbia area director. "After this inspection, the prime contractor abated the hazards by obtaining and erecting proper scaffolding for Pettit employees."
In May 2006, an OSHA inspector observed the unsafe scaffolding at the base. OSHA issued one willful citation to Pettit, with a proposed penalty of $49,500, for failing to erect scaffolding under the supervision of a designated competent person and ensure daily safety inspections before employees began work. OSHA issues a willful citation when an employer has shown an intentional disregard of, or plain indifference to, the requirement of the Occupational Safety and Health Act and regulations. Pettit had been cited previously by the South Carolina Department of Labor for similar violations at a non-federal work site.
The company also received 11 serious citations, with proposed penalties totaling $18,400, for the following alleged safety violations: inadequately supported scaffolding due to rusted and mismatched component parts; lack of floor planking and railings; improperly secured braces and frames; and failing to provide employees with safety training.
Most job safety and health inspections in the state are conducted by the South Carolina Department of Labor; however, federal OSHA retains jurisdiction on military posts and other federal property.
Roosevelt Contracting Fined Following Worker Death at Forest Hills Job Site
An Elmhurst, N.Y., contractor faces $16,000 in fines from OSHA following a fatal scaffold collapse at a Forest Hills, N.Y., work site.
On April 7, two employees of Roosevelt Contracting Co. Inc. were pointing brick on a building at 102-25 67th Drive, when one side of the two-point suspended scaffold from which they were working collapsed. This caused one worker to fall 40 feet to his death.
"Falls are a hazard for employees working on scaffolds. That danger increases whenever basic, required safeguards are absent," said Richard Mendelson, OSHA's area director for Queens, Manhattan and Brooklyn, N.Y. "To prevent these fatalities, it is imperative that employers ensure the use of fall protection and effectively train their employees."
OSHA's inspection found that the employees lacked adequate fall protection. One had no fall protection, while the other was not tied off to a secure anchorage point. They also had not been trained to recognize the hazards associated with scaffold work.
In addition, the scaffold was not secured properly to the building and lacked guardrails and a ladder or other safe means of access. Employees were exposed to tripping and fall hazards while climbing the parapet wall on the roof. Finally, scaffolds were not erected under the supervision of a competent person with both the knowledge to identify hazards and the authority to correct them.
Roosevelt Contracting Co. Inc. was cited for one alleged willful violation with a $7,000 proposed fine for not having the scaffolds erected under the supervision of a competent person. It was cited with six alleged serious violations with $9,000 in proposed fines for the other hazards. OSHA defines a willful violation as one committed with an intentional disregard of, or plain indifference to, the requirements of the Occupational Safety and Health Act and regulations. OSHA issues a serious citation when death or serious physical harm are likely to result from a hazard about which the employer knew or should have known.
OSHA Forges Alliance with Columbus-Area Utility Safety Organization to Heighten Worker Protection
Workers involved in trenching and excavation operations in the greater Columbus, Ohio, area can expect an intensified effort to keep them safe on the job thanks to an alliance formed by OSHA and the Greater Columbus Damage Prevention Council (GCDPC).
"Injuries encountered during trenching operations continue to be among some of the top safety issues in the country," said Deborah Zubaty, OSHA's area director in Columbus. "The saddest part about these kinds of accidents is that they are entirely preventable. We believe that our new alliance will help get that safety message across to everyone involved."
The alliance will concentrate on reducing serious injuries resulting from cave-ins; electrocutions; fires; road work-zone hazards; and utility work, with a special focus on emergency preparedness and response activities related to restoring utility service quickly and safely following a major disaster.
Under the alliance, OSHA and the council will work together to develop and deliver training courses and materials on safe trenching for area employers and employees. They also will exchange resources and information to raise awareness and commitment to workplace safety and health. Information will be shared through participation in a variety of forums throughout Ohio.
The GCDPC was created to bring together underground facility operators; government agencies; excavators; industry associations; and service providers. As a group, these organizations try to reduce damages to underground facilities, provide cooperation and coordination of construction activities, and improve communications, involvement and commitment to meet these goals.
OSHA Cites New Hampshire Logging Company after Worker's Death
A Webster, N.H., logging company faces $44,850 in fines from OSHA following the death of a worker who was apparently struck by a tree while working in the woods off Henniker Rd. in Warner. Chuck Rose Logging was cited for 30 alleged willful, serious and other violations of safety and health standards in connection with the July 3 accident.
"By many measures, logging is the most dangerous occupation in the United States," said Rosemarie Ohar, OSHA's area director in New Hampshire. "Preventing accidents and fatalities among loggers requires a combination of effective training, safe work practices, the use of appropriate personal protective equipment and properly maintained tools."
OSHA's inspection found that "danger trees," those that present a hazard to employees working in close proximity to them, were left standing while workers felled nearby trees. OSHA's logging standard requires that such trees be felled and removed by safe means before employees work in their vicinity.
OSHA also determined that employees wore neither leg protection while operating chainsaws nor head protection while felling trees. Other violations cited at the jobsite included lack of employee training, using the domino method to fell trees, improper backcutting, damaged or defective skidders, lack of first-aid training and kits for all workers, an unguarded chipper, failure to assess worksite hazards, excess noise levels and failure to ensure that all loggers were in visual or audible contact while felling trees.
Other hazards identified during the inspection included an unguarded grinder, improper storage of oxygen cylinders, lack of a written hazard communication program and lack of a bloodborne pathogen exposure control program, training and personal protective equipment for first aid providers. The company also was cited for not notifying OSHA of the worker's death within eight hours.
OSHA defines a willful violation as one committed with an intentional disregard of, or plain indifference to, the requirements of the Occupational Safety and Health Act and regulations. OSHA issues a serious citation when death or serious physical harm are likely to result from a hazard about which the employer knew or should have known.
OSHA Renews Alliance with Safety Council of the Ozarks
OSHA and The Safety Council of the Ozarks (SCO) agreed to renew their alliance to improve health and safety in the workplace through training and education, especially for small businesses.
OSHA Regional Administrator Charles E. Adkins, CIH said, "OSHA and SCO will work together to develop and deliver comprehensive safety and health management systems programs for both SCO members and nonmembers. We are pleased to continue this two-year program to assist employers in their efforts to comply with safety and health standards."
Outreach and communication goals of the alliance will include broad distribution of safety and health information through print and electronic media; website postings; exhibits and speeches during SCO conferences, local meetings, and awards ceremonies. Also the alliance will promote and encourage SCO member’s participation in OSHA's cooperative programs such as compliance assistance, the Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP), Consultation and its Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP).
OSHA alliances provide parties an opportunity to participate in a voluntary cooperative relationship with OSHA for purposes such as training and education, outreach and communication and promoting a national dialogue on workplace safety and health. These alliances have proved to be valuable tools for both OSHA and its participants.
NIOSH, AOHP Sign Healthcare Workplace Agreement
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and the Association of Occupational Health Professionals in Healthcare (AOHP) on October 5 established a collaborative partnership to improve workplace safety and health in the healthcare setting with the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU).
The healthcare industry is the second fastest growing sector of the U.S. economy, employing over 12 million workers. While the types of occupational hazards faced by these groups may vary, it is possible to prevent or reduce injuries and illnesses, NIOSH and AOHP agreed. The MOU establishes the official capacity of the collaboration between NIOSH and AOHP, which is intended to promote best practices associated with workplace safety and health issues in the healthcare setting.
“This is an important step in our efforts to protect these workers who have dedicated themselves to helping others,” said NIOSH Director John Howard, M.D. “The MOU allows us to combine our resources to put NIOSH research into practice in the healthcare setting.”
“As an advocate and resource for health and safety protections for healthcare workers, we are excited to combine our resources and network with NIOSH to improve the health and safety of our members,” said AOHP Executive President Denise Knoblauch, R.N. “This is an opportunity for us to come together and advance the effectiveness of the application of the research done in this area.”
AOHP is the leading organization for occupational health professionals working in healthcare. For further information about AOHP visit the Web site at www.aohp.org. NIOSH is the federal agency that conducts research and makes recommendations to prevent work-related injuries, illnesses, and deaths.
New Guidance Available on Hexavalent Chromium
Permissible Exposure Limits (PEL), exposure determination, respiratory protection and personal protective equipment, are just some of the topics included in the guide.
Bush Order Extends Federal Workplace Safety Initiative
The President has allowed additional time for agencies to build on the momentum they have already developed.
Disaster Preparedness Resource Available
The CD will help employers review, develop and update their emergency preparedness plans. E-mail ASSE's Sarajenie Smith at for a copy, or call 847-699-2929.
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