Regulators focus on warehouse safety
- OSHA launched a regional initiative in three Mid-Atlantic states and the District of Columbia in an effort to protect workers and reduce injuries and illnesses in the warehousing, storage, and distribution yards industries.
- OSHA’s Regional Emphasis Program for Warehousing Operation (PDF) focuses on industry employers in Pennsylvania, Delaware, Washington, D.C., and West Virginia.
- The initiative follows a Bureau of Labor Statistics 2020 finding that the warehousing and storage industry’s injury rate of 4.8 per 100 workers is higher than the U.S. average of 2.7 per 100 rate among all private industries.
- In addition, from 2017 to 2020, BLS reported 93 work-related fatalities nationally in the industry.
Labor Dept. dolls out awards
- The U.S. Department of Labor recently awarded approximately $1.9 million in grants to 14 nonprofits nationwide to fund education and training programs to help workers and employers recognize infectious disease hazards.
- The Susan Harwood Workplace Safety and Health Training on Infectious Diseases training grants also includes education on worker rights and employer responsibilities detailed in the Occupational Safety and Health Act.
- Funded by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, the grants derive from the Susan Harwood Workplace Safety and Health Training program.
- As part of the $10 million funding availability supported by ARPA for Workplace Safety and Health Training on Infectious Diseases, the department awarded more than $6.7 million in grants in 2021.
OSHA investigating fatal building collapse
- OSHA has opened an inquest after a building collapsed in Franklin County, Pa., that killed Steven Garrett Graby, 30, of Washington Boro.
- The collapse happened just after 2 p.m. at Martin’s Famous Potato Rolls and Bread on Garber Road in Guilford Township.
- Officials said Graby was working on an expansion project when several concrete walls fell, trapping him under the debris.
- His body was found around 9:45 p.m., state police said.
Amazon workers want CEO to testify
- Amazon workers and other labor organizations sent a letter to members of Congress to hold a hearing on warehouse safety.
- These groups also want Amazon CEO Andy Jassy and other company executives to testify about what is being done to protect workers.
- Three workers died in New Jersey in the month of July in sweltering conditions.
- Workers at Amazon facilities across the country suffered 34,000 serious injuries last year, according to a report by OSHA.