Florida roofer still working despite $2.2M in penalties
A Jacksonville, Florida roofer who was charged with contempt of court order by not paying $2.2 million in Fed-OSHA fines now faces more than $1 million more in proposed fines, even as he reportedly continues to work. Citations against his construction company include 13 willful violations, 14 classified repeat and one classified serious. Miami Herald
Fed-OSHA issues $371K in penalties over railcar facility hazards
Following a complaint inspection, a railcar cleaning company faces more than $371,000 in Fed-OSHA penalties after the agency cited it for various hazards at its Wilmington, Delaware facility. Cited violations include electrical and explosion hazards, insufficient means for escaping confined spaces, use of defective powered industrial trucks, lack of medical clearance for respiratory protection use, improper use of respirators and inadequate secondary air supply, and lack of signage in a silica-regulated area. Delaware Business Now!
South Carolina worker electrocuted
A 52-year-old senior technician of a manufacturer of electric meters died of cardiac arrest following an electrical incident on Thursday in West Union, South Carolina. The State
Indiana manufacturing firm fined $148K following fatal incident
IOSHA has fined a manufacturer of heavy-haul and specialized trailers for the renewable energy, aerospace, defense, manufacturing and heavy construction sectors following the death of a 41-year-old employee in a struck-by incident at the company’s Rensselaer, Indiana plant. Citations include not training powered industrial truck drivers on struck-by hazards or providing refresher training after an accident. The Times of Northwest Indiana/nwi.com
Employees fatally overcome by fumes at Cleveland trucking company
Fed-OSHA is investigating following the deaths of two employees at a Cleveland trucking company on Thursday. A 30-year-old employee was cleaning out a a semi-trailer tanker used to transport chemicals or other hazardous materials when she was overcome, as was a 60-year-old coworker who tried to rescue her. News 5 Cleveland
‘Winter productivity may be one of the best arguments for working from home’
Studies have found that working remotely increases productivity by eliminating workplace distractions and promoting a more flexible schedule, writes Forbes contributor John Hall. These benefits are even more potent during the winter by allowing employees to counter the season’s negative effects on their productivity. Forbes
Texas: Harris County sues EPA to stop chemical safety rules rollback
Harris County, Texas has joined 14 attorneys general from across the country who oppose the reversal of amendments that had placed stricter requirements on companies over how they deal with chemical emergencies. Houston Chronicle [may require registration]