Employee dies while taking down Christmas lights in South Carolina town

A 55-year-old employee working in a bucket attached to a boom who was taking down Christmas decorations in a South Carolina town was killed Friday when the bucket struck a tree limb and he was knocked to the ground. South Carolina OSHA is expected to investigate. News & Observer

Fed-OSHA fines Idaho contractor $173K

An Idaho contractor faces $173,000 in Fed-OSHA penalties for five alleged series and one willful violation that include exposing workers to potential trench collapse. Equipment World

Water plume hits North Carolina ski lift, causing two to riders fall

Two skiers at a North Carolina mountain resort were hospitalized Friday after a ruptured hydrant shot a plume of water at their chairlift. Fed-OSHA records show no current or past citations against the resort. Charlotte Observer

Postal Service wants its employees to be exempt from the vaccine mandate

The U.S. Postal Service is seeking an exemption from the federal vaccination or weekly testing mandate, but the White House appears unsympathetic. OPB

Iowa OSHA won’t enforce the federal vaccine-or-test mandate for large businesses

Iowa’s labor commissioner has submitted notice the state will not adopt or enforce the federal vaccine-or-test requirement for large businesses, according to the governor’s office. Iowa Labor Commissioner Rod Roberts say the state’s existing standards meet those of the federal regulations. SiouxlandProud