Construction companies pushing back on OSHA operation methods
Some Florida roofing contractors facing hundreds of thousands of dollars in fall protection violation fines say the issue may not be as cut and dried as employers not protecting their workers. “At some point in time, employees need to be held accountable,” says the safety director of one roofing company. WBBH (Fort Myers, Fla.) [with video]
Third-party requested to investigate death of South Carolina sanitation worker
A petition circulating on social media asserts that a 49-year-old sanitation worker, who was killed last week in Honea Path, South Carolina when he was pinned under a garbage truck as it was backing down the street emptying trash receptacles, was a victim of workplace bullying. WYFF (Greenville, S.C.) [with video]
Three employers fined $145K for violations cited at Alabama auto parts manufacturing facility
Fed-OSHA has fined an automotive parts manufacturer and two staffing agencies more than $145,000 in combined penalties after the agency cited various hazards at an Auburn, Alabama manufacturing facility. The manufacturer was cited specifically for requiring employees to operate machines with non-functioning safety laser scanners. AL.com
Minnesota’s reported workplace amputations already surpass annual average
Minnesota OSHA so far in 2019 has received 15 reports of amputations, many of which involved hands and fingers; the agency says it investigates an average of 13 amputation injuries each year. According to MNOSHA, amputations are most common when employees operate unguarded or inadequately safeguarded machinery, mechanical equipment and power tools. Fox9
Asphalt plant accident kills Colorado worker
A worker was killed Tuesday evening in an accident at a Greeley, Colorado asphalt plant, when large pieces of concrete being removed from a truck fell on him. Fed-OSHA is investigating. Greeley Tribune
What is dust, and is it harmful?
What is dust made of, and is it bad for human health? New Scientist
IOSHA fines ArcelorMittal $10K for violations at Indiana mill
Indiana OSHA investigators determined that a baghouse operator at ArcelorMittal Indiana Harbor steel mill was exposed to lead dust at 20 times the permissible exposure limit and cadmium dust at 14 times the limit for eight hours, leading the agency to fine the company $5,000 for each exposure. Before the end of the first week of July, the company must select engineering and administrative controls to limit steelworker exposures to lead and cadmium at the mill. The Times (Munster, Ind.)