Changes looming for a wide range of facilities
- OSHA is making major changes to federal worker safety enforcement directives for refineries, chemical plants, and other facilities with large amounts of chemicals for the first time in 30 years.
- The new, 103-page enforcement document updates process safety management guidance to include OSHA advice and direction that’s been issued since the last update in 1994.
- Process safety management covers how a wide range of facilities must handle large quantities of potentially dangerous chemicals.
- The new enforcement document is written primarily for OSHA inspectors but also alerts employers as to what policies and procedures the agency will expect from them.
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OSHA expected to be more strict with heat guidelines
- A new rule from OSHA expected later this year could for the first time provide federal protection against heat exposure and require companies to invest in employees’ well-being during the hottest parts of the year.
- Over the past several months, the agency held dozens of public meetings and collected more than 1,000 comments, many from workers but a number from businesses and business associations worried about the impact any rule might have on their bottom line.
- New research says employers might want to think twice about opposing a heat standard because unprotected workers will deliver diminishing returns in an ever-hotter world.
- Meanwhile, labor advocates are trying, mostly unsuccessfully, to push state and local versions of a rule.
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Ice cream plant faces fines
- OSHA has proposed $145,097 in penalties and issued citations alleging 12 serious violations to AJLS Enterprises Inc. for alleged violations at the Wisconsin ice cream plant.
- AJLS Enterprises, which does business as Schoep’s Ice Cream, allegedly lacked sufficient process safety management procedures to control the release of hazardous chemicals, in addition to other claims.
- Exposure to anhydrous ammonia, used in the refrigeration process, can cause respiratory injuries and burns to the skin and eyes.
- In 2022, OSHA established a regional emphasis program for the food manufacturing industry to address multiple hazards.
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OSHA concerns at Oregon fire department
- Three former volunteers and firefighters in Alfalfa, Oregon, voiced their concerns over the conduct and practices of Fire Chief Chad LaVallee, which recently led to a state OSHA finding of three violations and a $138 fine.
- The firefighters said their concerns weren’t taken seriously enough by the Alfalfa Fire District’s board.
- Chief LaVallee allegedly used a 16-year-old as a victim in a live fire training last year. That goes against regulations from the National Fire Protection Agency and violates OSHA guidelines.
- The search crew doing the training was unable to locate the teen and the source of the fire after 10 minutes and exited the structure.
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