Whistleblower prompted an investigation, settlement
- Boston-based Public Consulting Group LLC reached a $2.5 million settlement to resolve allegations that it caused improper claims to be made to the U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
- The investigation was initiated through the filing of a complaint under the whistleblower provision of the False Claims Act.
- Public Consulting Group was hired by the state of New Jersey in 2005 to administer New Jersey’s “Special Education Medicaid Initiative.”
- PCG caused local school districts to submit claims to CMS for evaluation services that it knew or should have known were not covered by Medicaid.
OSHA’s main focus is fall protection
- OSHA reported that falls in the construction industry remained the most frequently cited workplace safety and health standard for the 12th year in a row.
- Fall protection was followed by the agency’s general industry hazard communication and respiratory protection standards.
- The top 10 included four other construction industry standards and three other general industry standards.
- Despite advancements in workplace safety, we continue to see the same types of violations each year,” NSC President and CEO Lorraine Martin said.
Man found dead in kettle cooker
- An employee at a New Jersey food processing facility was found dead inside a kettle cooker, authorities said.
- Dale R. Devilli was working at the Lassonde Pappas and Co. plant Monday morning in Bridgeton, about 40 miles south of Philadelphia, when police were called for a report of an unconscious man, according to New Jersey State Troopers.
- He was pronounced dead at the scene.
- Authorities said that there appears to be nothing suspicious about Devilli’s death and that the case is still being investigated by OSHA.
Ferrara Candy fined $200,000 by OSHA
- OSHA has proposed a $201,000 fine for Ferrara Candy Co. in Chicago for safety violations at the company’s suburban Bellwood factory.
- Ferrara allegedly has exposed workers to amputation hazards by not cutting power to machines before workers cleared jams and serviced equipment, OSHA said.
- It is the third time in five years the company was cited for amputation hazards at its facility at 3000 Washington Blvd., OSHA said.
- “Ferrara Candy Co. knows its workers can suffer debilitating injuries, such as amputations, when machines are not properly de-energized before servicing or maintaining them,” said Angeline Loftus, OSHA director for the Chicago North Area.