Florida framing contractor sentenced for violating Fed-OSHA rules in fatal fall
A former Naples, Florida framing contractor has been sentenced to 30 days in prison for violating federal fall protection standards in connection with an employee’s fatal fall while working on a new home in 2015. The employee lost his balance after leaning over a rake beam to drill a hole in a cement block while working on the roof, then fell more than 19 feet to the ground, striking his head on a concrete slab. Naples Daily News
Pennsylvania employer fined $280K for fume hazards
Following a complaint inspection, Fed-OSHA has fined a Camp Hill, Pennsylvania hydraulic service and repair, machining, and chroming services business for allegedly exposing workers to hexavalent chromium fumes and other safety hazards. The agency also cited the company for failing to train employees on the hazards of hexavalent chromium, and maintain a respiratory protection program. Fox 43 (York, Pa.)
Did Michigan school district adequately notify students, staff of asbestos?
A whistleblower has alleged that Michigan’s Dearborn Heights School District 7 alleged employee and student exposure to asbestos at a public school. The whistleblower settled with the district a few years ago, but says the district has never done enough to properly notify children and staff who were in the buildings in 2012 and before, when the work on asbestos was illegally being done. WXYZ (Detroit) [with video]
Pharmacists protest corporate pressures they say lead to mistakes
Pharmacists at big retail chains are reporting that understaffing and high-pressure performance metrics imposed by corporate leadership are undermining their ability to do their job safely, to the detriment of patient health. Although there are problems at multiple chains, CVS seems to be the most targeted by complaints. Fair Warning
More than a dozen Tennessee school districts closed due to widespread illness
In Tennessee, where 45 counties have reported positive flu results in the recent weeks, more than a dozen school districts were closed this week due to widespread illness. The CDC estimates there are more than between 19 and 26 million cases nationwide of the flu, and says at least 10,000 people have died as a result. Fox 17 (Nashville) [with video]
Maine School of Masonry, Fed-OSHA ink safety alliance
Fed-OSHA has signed a two-year alliance with the Maine Department of Labor, Workplace Safety and Health Division and the Maine School of Masonry to promote worker safety in the masonry industry. Daily Bulldog