Fed-OSHA sues Maine roofing contractor over unpaid fines

Fed-OSHA has filed an action in federal district court to collect more than $54,000 in unpaid penalties from a Maine roofer who faces manslaughter charges in the death of a 30-year-old worker who fell from a Portland roof in December while working on a residential project. The contractor has said he refused to pay the fines because he believes the agency was not correctly enforcing its own rules and that it incorrectly classified the subcontractors that he hired as employees. Portland Press Herald

Oregon: Crane safety stays in the spotlight

Oregon crane operators will be required to complete a national certification program after OR-OSHA adopted new rules. DJC Oregon (Portland) [may require registration]

Tips for business owners, workers before and after flooding

Fed-OSHA is offering planning and response/recovery advice for business owners who may be facing flooding. Topics addressed include drowning, electrical hazards, tree and debris removal, lifting injuries and others. Tulsa World

Flight attendants file class action claiming uniforms cause health problems

Two Delta Air Lines flight attendants have filed a proposed class-action lawsuit alleging their uniforms cause skin rashes, headaches, fatigue and other issues. The airline’s CEO has said the company invested roughly $20 million in the new uniforms for 64,000 workers. Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Death of subcontractor at Georgia packaging plant under investigation

Fed-OSHA is investigating the death last week of a 31-year-old woman, possibly the employee of a subcontractor, at an East Dublin, Ohio packaging plant, in an accident involving a bulldozer. WMAZ (Macon, Ga.)

Iowa institution faces $60K fine after disabled patients injure workers

IOSH inspectors say a state institution for the intellectually disabled has failed to protect staff from being seriously injured by residents, and proposed fines of nearly $60,000. According to a Iowa state employees’ union, the incidents stem from a chronic worker shortage at the state’s four institutions for people with intellectual disabilities or mental illnesses. Des Moines Register [with video]