Employee dies after falling into industrial machine at West Virginia mulch business

A 27-year-old man died Wednesday after falling into an industrial machine at a West Virginia mulch business. Fed-OSHA is investigating. WCHS

 

Driver killed in tractor-trailer rollover near Boston

A 45-year-old driver died in a tractor-trailer rollover crash early Thursday morning in Belmont, Massachusetts. The driver, who was the only person in what appeared to be a work vehicle, was trapped inside the tractor trailer after it turned on its side. NBC Boston

 

Bill to streamline workplace safety regs moves to Kentucky Senate

Legislation streamlining Kentucky’s OSHA-related regulations to help avoid patchwork regulations and avoid mistakes passed Wednesday through the Kentucky House, with improvements made in a committee substitute as well as two bipartisan floor amendments. Lane Report

 

Can your boss force you to return to work?

As Texas prepares to reopen and allow businesses to fully operate with no capacity cap, employers will be calling back their staff to the workplace. Juanita Pelaez-Prada, managing partner at Begum Pelaez-Prada law firm, discusses what employees and employers can legally do should employees be hesitant to return during the pandemic. KENS

 

Duke Health saw 4 virus safety complaints last year, all closed

Between March and May, at least four COVID-19-related complaints were filed with Fed-OSHA against Duke University Health System facilities, all of which were closed without additional inspections. Additionally, OSHNC opened an inspection into Duke Regional Hospital in December after an employee died of COVID-19, in accordance with guidelines that require it to open inspections after employee deaths. The Chronicle

 

Fed-OSHA cites Ohio food plant more than $136K after partial arm amputation

An Ohio food processing plant has been fined more than $136,000 following a September incident at its plant in Lima that occurred when a 39-year-old production employee’s arm became caught in machinery as she cleaned an auger used to rice potatoes. The employee suffered multiple lacerations and the partial amputation of her arm. Co-workers had to cut the auger apart to free her arm. Fed-OSHA cited the employer for two repeat violations of machine safety standards. Manufacturing Business Technology

 

Employee alleges Oregon agricultural operation retaliated for safety complaints

A resident of Umatilla County, Oregon is suing a local agricultural operation for $300,000, claiming she was fired in retaliation for making a complaint to government agencies about health and safety concerns. The employee, an evaporator operator who worked at the company’s industrial hemp farm and processing facility, claims she learned ammonia tanks at her worksite were leaking and that she also was exposed to other gases, including nitrogen, and hemp dust, but was not fit-tested or given an appropriate respirator mask. East Oregonian