Fed-OSHA fines Maine manufacturing plant $394K

Fed-OSHA has fined a truck body manufacturing plant in Waterville, Maine $394,000 for two willful and 10 serious violations, for allegedly failing to protect employees from struck-by and crushing hazards from homemade attachments on auto lifts, and provide adequate training. Morning Sentinel/CentralMaine.com

Oregon OSHA fines home improvement chain $35K for COVID-19 violations

OR-OSHA has fined the Lowe’s Home Improvement stores in Redmond and Albany $35,600 for allegedly willfully failing to ensure all customers inside the retail stores wore a mask, face covering or face shield to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Through employer and employee interviews, and an examination of records, the agency said supervisors were fully aware of the requirement to ensure customer use of facial coverings but intentionally decided against carrying out their responsibilities. KTVZ

New law prevents Kentucky OSHA from adopting “stricter” safety standards

Starting July 2, Kentucky’s state labor cabinet no longer will be allowed to adopt safety standards more stringent than what federal law requires, as state law will now run parallel to federal workplace safety statutes, write two Fisher Phillips attorneys. What does this mean for employers in the state? JD Supra

Illinois employer cited after technician suffers facial burns

Fed-OSHA has cited a Paris, Illinois lighting manufacturer more than $85,000 after pressurized material in a plastic molding machine exploded, causing facial burns to an employee. The company was also cited in 2019 for similar violations at the same facility. WTHI (Terre Haute, Ind.)

Fatal struck-by incident leads to nearly $41K in fines to Wisconsin plastics fabricator

Fed-OSHA has fined a Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin plastics fabrication company nearly $41,000 in connection with the death of one of its employees who was struck in the head by a piece of machinery in October. WQOW (Eau Claire, Wisc.)

Report: South Carolina OSHA cited fraction of pandemic-related complaints

Complaints to South Carolina surged last month, a majority of which centered around hand washing practices, social distancing, and cleaning protocols. The agency reports it received 1,061 complaints from South Carolina employees related to coronavirus in the past year. Out of 772 closed complaints, S.C. OSHA cited seven employers. Two of the cited cases were the result of COVID-19 fatalities. WCBD (Charleston, S.C.) [with video]