Illinois Chemicals Maker to Pay More than $1M in 2019 Fatal Explosion
- AB Specialty Silicones has agreed to pay a $1.3 million federal fine after an explosion and fire at their Waukegan, Illinois plant killed four employees in 2019, OSHA announced last week.
- OSHA said an investigation revealed the company failed to ensure electrical equipment complied with federal standards.
- The company also used propane-powered forklifts to transport flammable liquids in areas where employees handled flammable liquids and gasses.
- As part of the agreement, the company has temporarily halted production and use of silicon-hydride emulsions at all facilities until a new process area for production is designed by an engineering firm.
- They have also agreed to develop a company-wide safety and health management system, implement an emergency action plan and conduct evacuation drills.
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Amazon Safety Issues Highlighted Ahead of Prime Days
- Ahead of Amazon’s latest Prime Days, Oct. 8 and 9, Inc. magazine is highlighting the company’s safety issues as an “essential lesson for all leaders” concerning supporting their employees during peak periods.
- During previous Prime Day events, injuries to workers in Amazon’s warehouses soared, according to findings released in July to the Senate Health, Education, Labor & Pensions Committee.
- The panel examined 2019 data which found that one in 10 workers suffered an injury severe enough that the company was required to report it to OSHA, a rate more than double the industry average.
- “While Amazon is working to reduce the problem, the report is a reminder to both shoppers and leaders just how brutal busy periods can be on staff working during them — and a nudge to show frontline workers a little more grace and support.
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State Farm Steps Up to Help Volunteer Fire Brigades
- Months after the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) raised concerns about the cost to its members to implement OSHA’s “Fire Brigades” standard, the group is getting some help from State Farm.
- The rule, which went into effect earlier this year, included equipment and personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements.
- Some 100 local volunteer fire departments will receive $10,000 each as part of the partnership between State Farm and NVFC.
- Among the eligible uses for the money is PPE.
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