Fed-OSHA fines contractor for trenching violations in North Dakota

Fed-OSHA and an excavation contractor have reached a settlement over trenching and excavation violations discovered while workers in North Dakota installed water metering pits and lines on a project in 2017. The company will dissolve its corporate status in South Dakota, pay fines of more than $509,000 and its owner must surrender his North Dakota contractor’s license. Bismarck Tribune

Massachusetts tree worker fatally struck by limb

A 28-year-old tree worker died Thursday after he was hit by a tree limb while working in a bucket truck in Swansea, Massachusetts. Fed-OSHA is investigating. WPRI (Providence, R.I.) [with video]

South Florida roofer fined $26K after worker falls to death from church roof

Fed-OSHA has fined a Palm Bay, Florida roofer more than $26,000 for allegedly failing to provide protection for workers on a 23-foot-high church roof or train them in the use of portable ladders, after a worker died in a fall. Miami Herald

Fed-OSHA cites Idaho Dollar Tree stores

Fed-OSHA has cited Dollar Tree Stores at four Idaho locations for exposing employees to unsafe storage of merchandise, and blocked walkways and exit routes. The company now faces more than $898,000 in proposed penalties. At the stores, inspectors say they found boxes stacked improperly, often with heavier boxes on top of lighter ones. KIVI (Boise)

Can e-learning improve safety training compliance?

There are many arguments (or possibly excuses) to explain why contractors are not investing in training. Are online safety training opportunities a solution for construction contractors who claim they don’t have time or resources to train? ForConstructionPros.com

Panel: Businesses must step up to prevent workplace violence

Tom Brady, director of the Homeland Security Training Institute at College of DuPage in Illinois, says business owners must develop workplace violence programs to ensure employees know what to do in an active shooter situation, and can recognize and report potentially violent people. Daily Herald

Federal court awards former employees who helped with safety investigation

The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania has approved damages for two individuals who sued their former employer for firing them after their participation in a Fed-OSHA investigation. Pennsylvania Record