Mississippi plastics firm cited after employee loses four fingers
Fed-OSHA has handed down more than $159,000 in fines after employee at a Picayune plastics company lost four fingers in a mixing machine. The agency charges the company failed to use a lockout device, properly train its workers or provide proper guarding. The mixing machine reportedly unexpectedly started while the employee was removing material from the mixer. Sun Herald (Gulfport, Miss.)
Two Idaho workers killed in trench collapse
A 59-year-old man and his 51-year-old coworker were killed in a trench collapse Wednesday morning while installing irrigation pipes near New Plymouth. Fed-OSHA, which is investigating, estimated the trench the men were trapped in was 6 to 7 feet deep. Idaho Press
Gas line explosion kills one in Durham, North Carolina
Crews on Friday began removing debris from Wednesday’s fatal gas explosion in Durham, North Carolina. A 2-inch gas line reportedly was struck about 30 minutes before the explosion, which killed the 61-year-old owner of a coffeeshop. WRAL (Raleigh, N.C.) [with video]
Fed-OSHA cites two employers in fatal Massachusetts accident
The December death of a 41-year-old worker who fell down an elevator shaft at a Haverhill, Massachusetts affordable housing construction site has resulted in Fed-OSHA penalties of more than $35,000 to the roofing firm that employed him and the general contractor. Both employers were cited for fall protection violations, while the roofer was also cited for lack of frequent inspections of the job site. Eagle-Tribune (North Andover, Mass.)
South Carolina port explosion under federal investigation
Fed-OSHA has opened an investigation of last week’s explosion at the Wando Welch Terminal in Charleston, South Carolina, which fire officials identified was potentially caused by buildup of flammable vapors in the cargo area. A truck that caught fire reportedly was operated by a private vendor and provided maintenance at the facility. Count on 2 (Mount Pleasant, S.C) [with video]
Construction worker’s body found in Oklahoma river
A 36-year-old construction worker who was using an excavator to move rocks near the bridge over the Cimarron River in Ohio drowned las tweek when the excavator fell into deep water with him on it. Emergency crews searched for him for about 10 hours and finally found him. KOKH [with video]
At Florida firehouse, firefighters’ tests show elevated levels of mold exposure
Air quality tests prompted the evacuation last week of a Rivera Beach, Florida night of a newly renovated fire station. A group that represents firefighters says blood tests showed almost a dozen firefighters sick from mold, with one ending up in an intensive care unit for several days. WPBF (West Palm Beach, Fla.)
Acosta: Jobsite inspections likely to increase
U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta earlier this month told a House Appropriations subcommittee that inspections of jobsites are likely to increase once a new group of Fed-OSHA inspectors completes training. Acosta said the Trump administration is seeking $557 million for Fed-OSHA for fiscal year 2020 budget request to pay for additional staff, including 30 additional compliance officers and five more whistleblower investigators. HR Dive