Safety offenders in Nevada face heavier fines

• Nevada OSHA is raising fines for companies that are issued citations for safety violations.
• For willful violations where Nevada OSHA demonstrates that an employer knowingly failed to comply with an OSHA standard, or demonstrated a plain indifference for employee safety, the maximum penalty increases from $156,259 to $161,323.
• For repeated violations, maximum penalties will increase from $156,259 to $161,323. Penalties for serious violations, where workplace hazards could cause an injury or illness that would most likely result in death or serious physical harm, the maximum penalty increases from $15,6252 to $16,131.
• For each other-than-serious violation, the maximum penalty increases from $15,625 to $16,131.
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More guidance for mine safety

• NIOSH and other groups in the mining industry are trying to develop new ways to address these accidents.
• The Mine Safety and Health Administration recently published a final rule titled, “Safety Program for Surface Mobile Equipment” in the Federal Register.
• Some of the suggestions for implementation include identifying and analyzing hazards and reducing the resulting risks related to the movement and operation of surface mobile equipment.
• The program also asks mining companies to develop and maintain procedures for routine maintenance and nonroutine repairs of surface mobile equipment. Indeed, mine operators need to have adequate written maintenance programs.
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Health center agrees to pay former employee $195,000

• An employee of a Staten Island community health center asked permission to allow a regularly scheduled meeting to be held by a teleconference and then changed the format of the meeting to teleconference, rather than meeting in person in a windowless conference room during the pandemic.
• When the health center’s CEO insisted they hold the meeting in person, the employee changed the meeting format back to in-person but did not attend the meeting given their concerns about being exposed to COVID-19.
• Two days later, the center suspended the employee for refusing to attend the meeting and for unspecified “insubordination,” and prohibited them from access to all worksites. A few weeks later, the clinic terminated the employee without further explanation.
• OSHA filed suit against Community Health Center of Richmond, Inc. and CEO Henry Thompson, alleging they violated the anti-retaliation provisions of the Occupational Safety and Health Act and the defendants agreed to pay $195,000 in back wages and compensatory damages to the former employee.
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Michigan company awarded for safety

• Air Flow Equipment Inc. in Kalamazoo was recognized by the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration for implementing and maintaining outstanding workplace safety and health standards.
• The 38-employee custom-air handling manufacturer received Michigan Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program certification from MIOSHA.
• Air Flow Equipment is one of nine current MSHARP companies or small business employers that have achieved excellence in their safety and health practices, above and beyond MIOSHA standards.
• Air Flow Equipment Inc. President Matt DeYoung, who played football at the University of Michigan from 1994-96, described workplace safety and health as a team effort.
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