Mail workers endangered
- OSHA found the U.S. Postal Service exposed workers to struck-by, electrical, crushing, fire, and other health hazards at three Tennessee facilities in Columbia, Knoxville, and Nashville.
- The agency cited the mail carrier for 13 violations and proposed $350,136 in penalties to address the safety and health hazards.
- A missing guard/cover on a mail processing machine exposed workers to an energized electric motor and other energized parts.
- Flexible cords and power strips used in place of fixed electrical wiring, and overloaded circuits exposed workers to electrical hazards.
Stricter rules for construction bids
- An Ohio councilman wants more stringent municipal codes for construction contractor bid requirements in Perrysburg.
- Companies bidding for projects would have to submit more information, such as disclosure of official safety violations with OSHA.
- Also, bides would have to provide healthcare and retirement benefits to its employees.
- Companies must participate in, sponsor or exclusively hire graduates of a construction apprenticeship program certified and regulated by the State of Ohio or the U.S. Department of Labor.
OSHA cracking down on respiratory violations
- OSHA is taking a more stringent approach to citing employers that violate safety rules for respiratory protection.
- The stricter enforcement could begin on March 20.
- The change applies to general industry, which includes the health care field, and “is intended to ensure OSHA personnel are applying the full authority of the Occupational Safety and Health Act.
- OSHA believes increased citations are needed to discourage non-compliance.
Southern Dollar General stores hit with more fines
- Dollar General Corp. is facing more penalties for workplace safety violations in Florida, Alabama, and Georgia.
- The nationwide chain of discount stores was cited for blocked exits and fire hazards, and stores have been cited for similar violations and $205,000 in penalties.
- Since 2017, OSHA has fined Dollar General more than $15 million for “numerous willful, repeat and serious workplace safety violations related to unsafe conditions in more than 180 inspections nationwide.
- For the third quarter of 2022, Dollar General reported an operating profit of $736 million, an increase of 10.5% from the same period in 2021.