Labor Department rules in favor of whistleblower
Fed-OSHA has ordered Houston, Texas-based energy infrastructure company Kinder Morgan Inc. to pay a former employee back wages, damages, and attorney’s fees after an investigation found the company violated the whistleblower provisions of the Pipeline Safety Improvement Act. The company allegedly terminated the employee, who informed a contractor of the company’s attempt to avoid complying with spill reporting requirements. Southeast Texas Record
New Jersey adopts 2018 International Code Council regs
The International Code Council announced last week that New Jersey has adopted its 2018 International Codes. The state previously was using 2015 codes, according to the state’s governmental relations regional manager at the council. The latest model codes are designed to save time and resources after a disaster occurs. NJBiz
City of Austin could face legal action after contractor’s fatal fall at airport
The city of Austin, Texas could face legal action after a 48-year-old contract worker fell into a grease trap at the city’s airport in April and died the following day. Two other workers involved in the accident were able to pull themselves out of the trap. Statesman
Austin Public Safety Commission responds to assaults on EMS providers
Austin-Travis County, Texas Emergency Medical Services conducted an internal survey recently that found the majority of EMS personnel in the city say they’ve been assaulted on the job in the last two years, and those numbers appear to be increasing. Moreover, both medics and communications professionals have been subjected to assault. Austin Monitor
Connecticut man says gym terminated his membership over safety complaint
A retired firefighter says his membership at a Newington, Connecticut gym was terminated after he reported to town officials and Fed-OSHA a scissor lift moving through a renovation area, and people working overhead, inside the gym. A fire official says he he inspected the gym with the town building inspector and found permits for the renovations were lacking. NBC Connecticut
MIOSHA releases report in foundry worker’s death
Michigan OSHA last week issued its initial report on the recent death of a 64-year-old worker at a Coldwater foundry. The death is the 17th work-related death reported to MIOSHA in 2019 and the eighth in the state this year where an employee was struck and killed. The man reportedly was struck and dragged by a box on a front-end loader before being run over. Lenconnect
Fed-OSHA investigating reported hazards at Oregon elementary school
Employees at Highland Elementary School in Grants Pass, Oregon have reported to OR-OSHA what they believe are safety hazards connected to new seismic renovation. The complaint alleged there is no ventilation to remove vapors from fresh paint, stating the vapors resulted in chest pains and headaches for some. KTVL (Medford, Ore.)