American Airlines under investigation
- American Airlines retaliated against flight attendants who reported illnesses caused by toxic fumes, federal investigators allege.
- OSHA opened a whistleblower investigation into the airline after flight attendants have been allegedly docked attendance points and were discouraged from reporting work-related injuries or illnesses.
- OSHA proposed $6,837 in penalties for the infraction.
- “Our investigation found that the flight attendants engaged in protected activities when they reported illnesses related to jet fuel fumes seeping into the aircraft cabin,” OSHA director Timothy Minor said.
OSHA investigates a fatal rollover
- A 15-year-old worker in Lubbock, Texas, suffered fatal injuries while installing fencing in Guthrie after the employer failed to follow required workplace safety standards, according to OSHA.
- Inspectors determined that Sheppard Farm and Ranch Services LLC of Robert Lee had illegally modified a Caterpillar loader and failed to provide adequate training or personal protective equipment.
- The company also did not report the workplace fatality within 8 hours after it occurred, another violation for which OSHA issued a citation.
- OSHA has proposed penalties of $20,512, amounts set by federal statute for five violations.
Agency renews alliance with brewers
- OSHA and organizations representing many of Ohio’s craft brewers have renewed their alliance to improve workplace safety in the industry.
- The original alliance was signed in October 2018 and renewed in December 2020.
- The alliance wants to continue its development of effective safety and health training and education programs for brewery employees of all levels.
- This includes web-based training programs for brewery processes such as grain handling, mashing, transfer and boiling, whirlpool and cooling, fermentation cleaning, and sanitizing.
Cintas honored for safety
- Cintas Corp. and three of its employee-partners were recognized for their ongoing commitment to workplace safety and health and the OSHA’s (OSHA) Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP).
- Myron Harper, corporate safety and health senior manager, and Meghan Moberly, first aid & safety regional service manager, were awarded the VPPPA’s SGE of the Year honors for their regions.
- Bobby Hunzicker, general manager at Cintas’ First Aid & Safety Location 479 in Kansas City, was recently recognized with VPPPA’s Star Among Stars Award for Region VII.
- As of September 2022, a total of 127 Cintas U.S. facilities were VPP Star certified, a total that far outpaces every American company.