Employee killed at New Jersey recycling facility
A 61-year old man was killed at an industrial recycling site in North Bergen, New Jersey last week when he was pinned between a dumpster and a concrete wall. An employee who was driving the bulldozer that pushed the dumpster faces criminal charges in the death, authorities said. NorthJersey
Washington roofing contractor fined $374K for violations including repeats
The Washington State Department of Labor and Industries has fined a Snohomish roofing company $374,400 for alleged new hazards at two worksites in Arlington and Woodinville. One of the most severe citations alleges five workers, including a foreman, were working on a steep-pitched roof without proper fall protection. The company’s previous citations include 11 repeat-serious and eight serious violations for hazardous conditions, which totaled $112,000 in fines, according to the agency. HeraldNet
Fed-OSHA reports steady workplace fatality numbers for 2018
The Bureau of Labor Statistics last month reported the rate of fatal work injuries remained unchanged in 2018, according to Fed-OSHA. Unintentional drug overdoses at work increased by 12 percent, the sixth straight annual increase. Workplace suicides increased by 11 percent in 2018 as well, according to the agency. Plastics News
Oregon: SAIF hosting farm safety seminars across the state
SAIF is offering 29 free ag-safety seminars in 17 cities across Oregon, including bilingual seminars January 14-15 in Hermiston. This year’s seminars will focus on four topics: respiratory personal protective equipment, working at elevation, safety leadership for anyone, and incident analysis. East Oregonian
Grain supplier fined $190K in employee’s grain elevator death
Fed-OSHA has fined a grain supplier $190,000 in connection with the July death of an employee at the company’s Arvilla, North Dakota grain elevator. While cleaning the bin, the 58-year-old man was buried under about 15 feet of corn, according to local officials. Grand Forks Herald
Massachusetts lawmakers flag high injury rates in Amazon fulfillment center
Amazon’s Fall River, Massachusetts fulfillment center was the subject of a recent letter by U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren and Edward Markey and U.S. Rep. Joseph Kennedy, asking CEO Jeff Bezos about the facility’s rate of serious injuries. The letter notes that more than 20 percent of reported serious injuries at the plant in 2018 took place during a six-week holiday season starting after Thanksgiving. Providence Journal
IOSH issues citations in lounge employee’s electrocution
A Davenport, Iowa bowling alley and lounge was fined more than $8,000 last month after a 27-year-old employee was fatally electrocuted while trying to unjam a pinsetter in July. The employee reportedly came into contact with a live 208-volt electrical system that was unguarded, according to the agency. Quad-City Times
Indiana OSHA last month fined Winnebago $15,000 for three cited serious violations at its Middlebury, Indiana facility including not providing training to each employee who is required to use personal protection equipment, including gloves, on knowing when the equipment is necessary. Elkhart Truth