News Digest 6-27-2019

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.

 

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.)