One killed, two injured in explosion of guacamole machine
The explosion of a food processor being tested for the manufacturing of guacamole killed a Schenectady, New York businessman and injured two other people Wednesday morning. The “high-pressure vessel” that was being tested is used to sterilize food under extreme pressure to crush microorganisms and tiny bugs that can cause food to spoil. Albany Times Union
Wall collapses on man at Nashville worksite, killing him
A 61-year-old employee of an architectural glass and metal company was killed after a wall fell on him outside an office building in Nashville, Tennessee as he worked to remove caulk around a concrete section of an exterior wall near loading docks. TOSHA is investigating. Fox17 Nashville
Grain bin accidents and deaths rising due to poor crop conditions
The number of reported grain entrapments across the country rose by 27 percent from 2018 to 2019, and deaths rose by 53 percent that year. Wet and cold weather in 2019 have created a dangerous situation this year for South Dakota farmers who store grain in bins, heightening a risk of entrapment or death. The lack of consistency and low quality of the grain make it more likely to clump, stick to the sides of a bin or form a crust over the top. Those conditions make the grain flow less freely from the bins and make it more likely farmers will have to enter the bins to keep the grain moving, according to the vice president of the Grain and Feed Association of Illinois. Fed-OSHA has taken note. Wisconsin State Farmer
How ammonium nitrate caused deadly blast in Lebanon
The explosive potential of ammonium nitrate is well understood and has been used in numerous terrorist attacks including the Oklahoma City bombing of 1995. What is ammonium nitrate, why is it explosive and why do we use it? CNET
Nevada OSHA cites wine store for noncompliance
A Reno wine store has been fined more than $2,600 for not complying with one or more requirements, according to Nevada OSHA, which is continuing to respond to complaints and referrals regarding face coverings, social distancing, cleaning and disinfection and other areas of concern related to COVID-19. Follow-up visits have been done at 431 businesses where Nevada OSHA officials found that 94 percent of those locations are now in compliance. News 4
OR-OSHA fines 14 employers for COVID-related violations
Oregon OSHA says it has issued at least 14 citations to Portland businesses for failing to follow coronavirus restrictions. KATU (Portland)
What to do if an employee tests positive for COVID-19
David Villadolid, senior partner in Burch & Cracchiolo’s Employment Law section, discusses some best practices for employers if an employee tests positive for COVID-19. AZ Big Media
Poorly-fitting respirators may cause skin irritation
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health is recommending that healthcare employees with skin irritations from wearing N95 respirators for long hours during the pandemic consider getting a new fit test and using moisturizers and washings to prevent the problems. Some nurses have complained the shortage of N95 respirators has led to some healthcare facilities taking shortcuts such as not requiring fit testing every time a new brand or model of respirators is given out. Bloomberg Law