The following were the top 10 most frequently cited standards by Federal OSHA in the fiscal year 2017 (October 1, 2016, through September 30, 2017):… Membership Required You must be a member to access this content.View Membership LevelsAlready a member? Log in here...
Top 10 most frequently cited OSHA standards violated in FY 2017 Read More »
A wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) operated a trucking unit that transported wastewater. The business that owned the facility and trucking unit applied for insurance coverage. In their insurance application and related correspondence, the business represented that they did not accept, process, transport, or discharge hazardous waste. The insurance company issued a $2 million “Primary Environmental…...
This was an interesting decision, as I have always been amazed at the legalities involved with which agency enforces which rules at a specific workplace. Some workplaces will have to comply with BOTH OSHA and MSHA standards, making safety management even more complicated. This case involved a “mining company” but the complaint and subsequent citations…...
The line between OSHA and MSHA enforcement just got thinner Read More »
OSHA has cited a power company and a contractor after five workers were killed, (1 plant operator and four contractors) and one other suffered serious burns. In June 2017, OSHA determined that the workers were burned when a blockage inside a coal-fired furnace broke free and spewed molten slag into the work area. Employees of…...
OSHA issues Willful and Serious after slag fatalities @ power plant (LOTO and PPE) Read More »
Industry petitioned for review of five issues: whether substantial evidence supports OSHA’s finding that limiting workers’ silica exposure to the level set by the Rule reduces a significant risk of material health impairment; whether substantial evidence supports OSHA’s finding that the Rule is technologically feasible for the foundry, hydraulic fracturing, and construction industries; whether substantial…...
OSHA wins Silica Rule Appeal Read More »
On February 8, 2017, @ 11:15 a.m.three (3) contractors were climbing down from an elevated pipe rack. As they were climbing down, the stainless steel “Foul Condensate” tank exploded, striking the workers and tossing their bodies 200 yards from the explosion. All three workers were killed. OSHA issues five (5) Serious Citations releated to Hot…...
OSHA issues PSM Hot Work Citations after Triple Fatality @ Paper Mill Read More »
OSHA and a grain handling company have signed a comprehensive settlement requiring the company to implement safeguards, training, and audit procedures at its 20 grain handling facilities in six states. The agreement resolves contested citations issued by OSHA in April 2012 after six individuals were killed and two injured as a result of an Oct…....
OSHA issues Corporate Wide Settlement Agreement to Grain Handling Company Read More »
Out of 250 inspections in 2016 where this was looked at, 1910.242 was cited 253 times for $589,704. For something so simple, that is some crazy money!!! So what does 1910.242(b) require: Compressed air used for cleaning. Compressed air shall not be used for cleaning purposes except where reduced to less than 30 p.s.i. and then…...
Compressed air used for cleaning and “effective chip guarding” Read More »
When OSHA adopted the UN’s Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) workplaces probably saw the biggest change in workplace safety that we have seen since the PSM standard. One of the biggest changes came with the new Safety Data Sheet (SDS) format and for some reason, many “responsible parties” felt the need…...
Safety Data Sheets and NFPA 704/HMIS labeling information Read More »
One of the biggest myths of OSHA compliance over the past four years is that NFPA 704 and/or HMIS are no longer valid “secondary container” labels and that these “secondary containers” labels must contain pictograms, signal word, precautionary statements, etc. Companies and businesses have been sold a pile of @#$%! in order to spend millions…...
An IN automotive manufacturing facility has been fined $224,000 by the Indiana – OSHA for five alleged safety violations following the death of an employee in October. A female worker, 44, died after an incident with a machine at the plant on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2017. The preliminary cause of her death was ruled multiple…...
IN-OSHA LOTO/Guarding Citations @ automotive manufacturing facility ($224K) Read More »
I am curious to know how other facilities manage this situation. Having been a FPE for several years in my career, I grew up learning that if there is one “sacred rule” regarding hot work it is that Hot Work is NEVER EVER done when the sprinkler system is out of service. It was one…...
To do or not to do… Hot Work when the Sprinkler is out of service? Read More »
