Wisconsin firm cited for waste management violations
- The U.S. DOJ reached a settlement with Container Life Cycle Management LLC for the company’s air emissions and waste management violations at its container reconditioning facilities in Wisconsin.
- The settlement requires the company to upgrade its facilities to protect workers and nearby residents.
- A recent EPA report highlights significant and ongoing problems at drum reconditioning facilities across the country,
- At the request of Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) the EPA, OSHA and the DOT opened investigations at Container Life Cycle, owned by Greif, Inc. facilities in Wisconsin, and have issued fines.
An investigation leads to a proposed $304,556 fine
- A federal investigation into the deaths of two workers buried under a pile of shifting coal at a Pueblo, Colorado, industrial loading facility found that their employer failed to follow required federal standards.
- As the three employees of Savage Services Corp. climbed onto the coal pile to determine if the feeder below was receiving coal, the pile shifted and buried two workers, while a third employee escaped without injury.
- Savage Services Corp. faces $304,556 in proposed penalties by OSHA for one serious violation and two willful violations for failing to implement safe work practices and for not training workers.
- In a similar incident in 2020, a coal pile collapsed onto a bulldozer at a company facility in New Mexico.
OSHA looks at septic backup at Kohl’s
- OSHA is investigating an incident at the new Kohl’s store in Lenox, Massachusettes, involving a septic backup that required employees to remain on the premises despite sewage odors throughout the store.
- The problem lasted throughout the day; consequently, no restrooms were available at the store.
- “These are foul and unsafe working conditions,” one of the store’s employees said.
- Kohl’s reportedly asked staff members not to say anything about the incident, but complaints were made to the Berkshire Eagle.
Staying warm in a cold office
- There are no formal OSHA laws about office temperatures so it can get cold this time of year.
- One of the best ways to stay warm is to wear layers of clothing, including warm socks.
- It’s also effective not to stay in a seat for too long so try to make frequent trips to fill a water container or just move around the office.
- A hot drink is always a nice way to stay warm.