Court says Walmart might have violated safety rules
- A U.S. appeals court said Walmart Inc. may have violated a federal workplace safety rule by failing to prevent a fallen box that injured a warehouse worker in New York
- A unanimous three-judge panel of the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said an OSHA rule requiring merchandise stored in tiers to be secured can apply whenever goods are kept on tall metal racks.
- OSHA already fined Walmart about $11,000 in 2020 after cases of crescent rolls fell off a pallet at a warehouse near Albany, N.Y, injuring a worker.
- A federal review board threw out the fine, saying the rule cited by OSHA did not apply because Walmart had stored pallets of boxes individually instead of stacking them.
Supreme Court won’t hear vaccine challenge
- The U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear a challenge from 10 states seeking to appeal a mandate that healthcare workers be vaccinated against COVID-19 at medical facilities that receive federal funding.
- A high court upheld the rule in a 5-4 decision in January, declaring that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has the authority to enforce the mandate.
- The high court also blocked the rule that employees at large employers must be vaccinated or tested weekly.
- Alaska, Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming filed the appeal.
WPT Power earns safety award
- The Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers’ Compensation recognized WPT Power Corp. with a third Lone Star Safety Award for its workplace safety efforts and low rates of work-related injuries and illnesses.
- WPT Power Corp., a manufacturer of industrial clutches and brakes, employs 36 people at its Wichita Falls location. The company previously received the safety award in October 2017 and October 2019.
- In addition to the Lone Star Safety Award, WPT Power Corp. is a four-time recipient of the Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP) designation from OSHA.
- The Lone Star and SHARP programs recognize small, private-sector Texas employers who demonstrate an outstanding commitment to workplace safety.
Deciding on OSHA training courses
- Many employers and employees are confused when trying to decide if they need an OSHA 10-hour training course, a 30-hour training course, or even both.
- Curtis Chambers, an OSHA-authorized 10 and 30-hour trainer, posted an update to their OSHA Training Blog with the information needed to make an informed decision.
- Taking an OSHA 10 or 30-hour training course is completely voluntary.
- However, An employer, general contractor, or a government agency can impose a requirement for a worker or supervisor to possess an OSHA 10-hour or 30-hour training course completion card as a condition of employment.