Minnesota man accused of ramming mail truck, seriously injuring carrier
A 56-year-old northern Minnesota man who drove his pickup truck into a postal vehicle at a speed as high as 80 mph allegedly stated he knew there was a person in the mail truck and that he struck it intentionally. A 55-year-old employee was inside the truck at the time; she was ejected and suffered a life-threatening head injury, including a skull fracture, and four broken ribs, authorities say. Bemidji Pioneer
Michigan worker fatally trapped in corn silo
The death of a 72-year-old western Michigan man who became trapped beneath corn in a silo is under investigation. Police said family members attempted to pull him free but were unsuccessful. The silo reportedly was about half full at the time of the incident. WWJ Newsradio
Mugno withdraws as nominee for top Fed-OSHA post
Scott A. Mugno has withdrawn from consideration as Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health. The former Vice President of Safety, Sustainability and Vehicle Maintenance at FedEx Ground had been awaiting U.S. Senate approval of his nomination since October 2017. National Law Review
Ski area employee injuries on the rise
New data released by Fed-OSHA indicates skiing facilities have the third highest incidence rate of non-fatal occupational injuries among all industries in the U.S. The rate of 10.1 injuries per 100 employees in 2017 is nearly double the number of 2014, when ski areas ranked 13th, with an injury rate of 5.6 injuries per 100 employees. The trend of rising injury rates means Fed-OSHA likely will increase scrutiny of ski areas. KPCW (Park City, Utah)
Truck driver killed by own rig in Oregon
A 63-year-old log truck driver died Wednesday after he stopped in a wide spot along Highway 38 in Oregon, got out of the truck and was struck and fatally injured as the truck began to roll, according to law enforcement. KMTR (Eugene, Ore.)
Fed-OSHA fines Florida company $14K for hazards at distribution facility
Fed-OSHA has cited Chewy Inc. after a worker, who was operating a stand-up industrial truck, was involved in a fatal workplace accident at the company’s Ocala, Florida distribution facility. The agency cited the company for exposing employees to struck-by and crushing hazards and fined it more than $14,000. WCJB (Gainesville, Fla.) [with video]
Wichita aircraft manufacturer fined $193K for hexavalent chromium exposure citations
Fed-OSHA has fined aircraft manufacturer Spirit AeroSystems, Wichita’s largest employer, nearly $193,000 for allegedly exposing employees to hexavalent chromium, a known carcinogen. Chromium metal is sometimes added to steel to increase hardenability and corrosion resistance, according to the agency. Inhaling the substance also can cause asthma and damage to the kidneys, liver and respiratory system. Wichita Eagle