EPA finalizes rule easing chemical plant safety regs
Under a new Environmental Protection Agency rule finalized last week in accordance with the wishes of the chemical industry, chemical plants will no longer have to deal with what officials deem “unnecessary regulatory burdens,” some of which were implemented following a fertilizer explosion in West, Texas, in 2013 that killed 15 people. The Hill
McDonald’s workers sue over ‘daily risk of violence’ from customers
Current and former workers from 13 Illinois restaurants are suing McDonald’s Corp. for failing to adequately protect employees from violent customers. The plaintiffs claim the corporation has increased the risk of harm through pushing stores to stay open late at night, a remodeling program that has stores tear down or lower counters that could have shielded workers from customers, and failing to provide adequate safety and security training. San Antonio Express-News
Collapse injures two at Massachusetts hotel construction site
Two workers suffered minor injuries when a roof truss system on a hotel construction site in Westport, Massachusetts last week. Fed-OSHA is investigating. The workers fell 15 to 20 feet, according to a fire official. SouthCoast Today
Oklahoma Social Security office infested by bedbugs
Nearly 50 employees at the Social Security Administration hearing office in Tulsa, as well as members of the public, have been exposed to bedbugs and poor air quality for almost a year and a half, according to a union representing administrative law judges. Fed-OSHA recently determined the problems constituted unsafe and unhealthful working conditions and gave the agency until November 19 to abate the violations. Government Executive
Nail salon workers experience chemical exposures similar to garage, refinery
Many people view cosmetology as a relatively safe profession, but researchers have found exposures to aromatic hydrocarbons like benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylenes resembled those previously reported in studies of oil refinery workers and auto garage technicians. The Hour
Paper mill employee dies from injuries
A longtime employee of a New Hampshire paper mill died last week from injuries he received in an accident at the mill around a month ago. Fed-OSHA is investigating the incident. Conway Daily Sun (North Conway, N.H.)
FedEx employee fatally dragged at Memphis airport
A 23-year-old FedEx employee was killed when his leg was caught in a container door and he was dragged into a roller and knocked unconscious while working at the Memphis International Airport on November 13. BET
Connecticut fines contractors at poultry farm $270K
The Connecticut Department of Labor has fined two companies more than $270,000 for misclassifying workers, including many who are teenagers, at an egg-producing poultry business. Investigators say they observed a van arrive and drop off 16 young workers after the full-time employees had left for the day. Hartford Courant