Note to our valued subscribers: OSHA Today will be taking its annual summer break starting Monday, July 1. We will resume daily netletter publication Monday, July 15. We wish all of our subscribers a happy Independence Day.

 

Former northwest Iowa pork plant workers sue for retaliation

Three former workers have sued a Sioux City, Iowa pork processing company for allegedly firing them in retaliation for filing a complaint with IOSH about working conditions and talking to investigators. After the agency’s visits to the plant, the workers claim, a supervisor began following them, standing near them to monitor their work and timing their visits to the restroom. The plaintiffs assert they were fired on grounds they had damaged company property. Sioux City Journal

 

Investigations of Philadelphia refinery fire begin

Several explosions rocked a South Philadelphia refinery early Friday, triggering a massive fire. Five refinery workers suffered minor injuries. Agencies including Fed-OSHA began investigating on Monday. Philadelphia Inquirer

 

Scooters, rental bikes create new risks for employers

The Public Health Department of Austin, Texas, recently analyzed injuries that were attributable to e-scooters. Even if you don’t believe e-scooters and e-bikes are an urban menace, it is easy to recognize that the rapid deployment of these new forms of transportation creates new risks for your company and your employees, contends attorney Gerald L. Jackson. Tulsa World

 

Georgia wood products distribution center fined $125K for hazards

Fed-OSHA has fined a Lawrenceville, Georgia wood molding, window and door distributor for failing to provide employees with eye, face, and hand protection to prevent exposure to chemical injuries, and provide a functioning eyewash station for employees handling corrosive chemicals. The agency has proposed penalties of $125,000. WXIA (Atlanta) [with video]

 

Fed-OSHA’s top safety violations of 2018

Fed-OSHA compiles an annual list of its most frequently cited standards. Last year’s list included fall protection, hazard communication, scaffolding, respiratory protection and others. What does this mean for you? Tire Review

 

Two contractors fined more than $87K in fatal Miami Beach fall

Following the fatal fall of a 35-year-old construction worker in Miami Beach last December, Fed-OSHA has cited and fined two contractors a combined more than $87,000. One of the contractors filed for dissolution 11 days after the incident. Real Deal