Investigation into East Texas grocery warehouse death closed

Fed-OSHA has closed its investigation into the March death of a 22-year-old employee at the Brookshire warehouse in Tyler, Texas. After initially citing the grocery company with two serious violations, one was withdrawn after documentation was shown the employee received proper training. KETK (Tyler, Texas)

Two employees fatally crushed under granite slabs at Michigan warehouse

Two employees of a Sterling Heights, Michigan stone warehouse were killed almost instantly after multiple slabs of granite fell on them Monday afternoon. MIOSHA is investigating. WXYZ (Detroit) [with video]

Ohio: Warren County manufacturer settles over hazards

A Warren County, Ohio auto parts manufacturer has agreed to abate hazards that Fed-OSHA cited at its plant in July. Under the settlement, the company will pay more than $188,000 in fines and remain in the agency’s Severe Violator Enforcement Program. Journal-News

Contractor charged in South Dakota building collapse

A construction contractor that was working on a downtown Sioux Falls, South Dakota lounge when it collapsed and killed a construction worker in late 2016 has been criminally charged in federal court. The incident occurred as the company was removing a load-bearing wall. The owners of the company reportedly will not face criminal charges. Argus Leader

Manufacturer to pay $1M for firing employees who cooperated with Fed-OSHA

A federal judge has ordered a Pennsylvania manufacturer to pay nearly $1.05 million in lost wages and punitive damages to two former employees who were fired in retaliation for participating in a Fed-OSHA investigation after one of their coworkers lost three fingers in a workplace accident. The court’s punitive damages award of $500,000 is the largest ever assessed under Section 11(c) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act, according to the Labor Department. HRDive