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Philadelphia mayor, fire chief say no health risks from refinery fire
Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney on Tuesday reiterated that there is no lingering health threat due to Friday’s explosion and fire at a South Philadelphia refinery. The city’s fire commissioner also said the smoke from the blaze posed little long-term risk. A recent analysis by the University of Pennsylvania found the refinery is financially shaky and could have to seek bankruptcy protection again within a few years. Philadelphia Inquirer
Jacksonville zoo fined $14K after keeper bumped by rhino
Fed-OSHA has fined the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens more than $14,000 after a keeper was seriously injured by a rhinoceros in February. Cited violations include failure to notify Fed-OSHA within 24 hours of the keeper’s hospitalization as well as failing to protect employees from recognized hazards when they train and feed the rhinos. Miami Herald
Wrongful death lawsuit filed against baseball club over death inside beer cooler
The family of a 48-year-old man who was found dead inside a beer cooler one year ago at Atlanta’s SunTrust Park has filed a negligence lawsuit against the Atlanta Braves and other defendants. County officials say he died of asphyxia due to carbon dioxide exposure, as he was installing a new patented beer tap that he had invented. Fed-OSHA investigated and issued a serious violation against one of the defendants for failure to ensure the exit door remained unobstructed. WXIA (Atlanta)
OR-OSHA offering online fall protection training
Oregon OSHA has launched a free, two-hour online course to help employers and workers eliminate fall hazards, prevent falls, and provide effective first-aid after falls. One part of the course is a video about a man’s fall in 1995 from a scaffold: the accident left him a paraplegic and changed his family’s life. KTVZ (Bend, Ore.)
Attorney: Employers must maintain workplaces free of bullying, violence
Workplace violence is the leading cause of job-related deaths in the United States. What is an employer’s responsibility to provide a safe workplace, when it comes to workplace bullying and violence? Allen L. Hutson, attorney with Crowe & Dunlevy, discusses the issue. Oklahoman
Worker electrocuted at North Carolina elementary school
OSHNC is investigating after an employee with a Virginia-based company was electrocuted and killed at a Raleigh elementary school Wednesday. Two staff members in the school at the time of the incident were not injured. News & Observer (Raleigh, N.C.)