Maine roofer fined $500K for fall protection citations
A Maine company has been fined more than $500,000 by Fed-OSHA for allegedly failing to properly protect construction workers on roofs. At least five employees were exposed to conditions that could have resulted in falls of 10 to 18 feet while working on buildings in Hampden, according to Fed-OSHA. Bangor Daily News
Employee fatally trapped by conveyor at Ohio grain elevator
A 42-year-old Michigan man was killed Thursday while loading grain onto a railcar at a grain elevator in North Toledo, Ohio, when his safety harness became entangled in the conveyor motor, trapping him. Fed-OSHA is investigating. Toledo Blade [may require registration]
Hazardous materials incident in Indiana sends employees to hospital
A hazardous materials incident at a railcar services business resulted in serious injuries to two employees last week in Daviess County, Indiana. IOSHA is investigating. WIBQ
Two die in Texas trench incident
Two men died Wednesday while doing trench work in Corpus Christi, Texas. The individual who found them reportedly received a shock from a light being used under the home, and investigators are trying to determine if the light fatally shocked the two employees. Fed-OSHA in investigating. KRIS
Canada: British Columbia employer knowingly exposed employees to asbestos
Authorities say the owner of a Surrey, British Columbia drywall recycling company knowingly exposing employees to asbestos without their knowledge, and defied a stop-work order from WorkSafeBC after a prevention officer inspected the business and found asbestos. Western Standard
Fed-OSHA extends health-care COVID-19 rule hearing to four days
Fed-OSHA has extended to four days its online public hearing for the proposed permanent healthcare COVID-19 rule, the agency announced last week. The informal rulemaking hearing had been scheduled only for April 27, but now will continue on April 28 and 29 and May 2. Bloomberg Law [may require registration]
Employees at Iowa manufacturing plant sent home after chemical spill
Employees at a southeastern Iowa manufacturing plant were sent home Thursday after emergency crews responded to a report of a hydrochloric acid spill that was making some employees ill. The plant’s manager reportedly told crews 2000-4000 gallons of the acid may have leaked. Inhalation can cause pulmonary edema, and ingestion can cause severe injury to the mouth, throat, esophagus and stomach. The Hawk Eye