OSHA is launching what agency head David Michaels described Monday as a “long overdue” initiative on injury and illness prevention and plans to increase enforcement on ergonomics. Both initiatives are likely to be extremely controversial. OSHA is also moving plans …
A recent catastrophic accident claimed the life of a worker at a ductile iron foundry. This terrible accident raises questions in my mind about compliance with OSHA’s personal protective equipment (PPE) regulations. Three employees were injured and sent to the …
Details have emerged on another prong in OSHA’s campaign to step up enforcement: the new Severe Violator Enforcement Program. The program, which would identify employers with repeated, serious citations, was announced last year, but details only came to light recently …
Controlling contractors are now being held responsible for the safety actions of subcontractors at their sites under OSHA’s Multi-Employer Citation Policy and many contractors are wondering what levels of safety staffing should be required from their subs. While every situation …
Earlier this week, a 53-year-old worker was killed when he was pulled into equipment at a steel processing plant. A spokesman said the victim was working on a machine that rolled 6-foot-wide coiled steel for shipment. “For reasons unknown, he …
OSHA has opened up another front in its campaign to boost enforcement and is increasing the pressure on states that have their own occupational safety regulatory programs, according to an article in The Wall Street Journal this week. OSHA “is …
Penalties for violation of OSHA standards are not high enough to discourage some employers from violating the law and they ought to be increased, according to the agency’s new director. “Most employers want to do the right thing. But many …
OSHA just sent letters to 15,000 companies advising that their accident rates were substantially above average. While the letters don’t specifically say so, this likely means an inspection is on the way, especially given OSHA’s recent push on enforcement. There …
The majority of construction accidents are not due to a lack of training, skill or knowledge — nearly all accidents are simply related to poor decision-making. Whether an employee is talking on a cell phone while working or not wearing …
With the “New OSHA” stepping up enforcement, it is important for companies to know what to expect when an inspector arrives at the premises and to understand what they can and cannot do during an inspection. I recently published an …