Here is a look at OSHA’s compliance activity in 2019 (October 2018 – September 2019) in the NAICS Code: Major Group 32: Stone, Clay, Glass, And Concrete Products. As you can see, OSHA did 1,507 inspections and issued 5,723 citations for a total of $21,321,187 in fines. Here is a quick breakdown of the activity: … HomeRead More »

Here is a look at OSHA’s compliance activity in 2019 (October 2018 – September 2019) in the NAICS Code: Major Group 31: Leather And Leather Products. As you can see, OSHA did 609 inspections and issued 1,801 citations for a total of $9,666,657 in fines. Here is a quick breakdown of the activity: … HomeRead More »

Here is a look at OSHA’s Emergency Action Plan compliance activity in 2019 (October 2018 – September 2019). As you can see, OSHA did 55 inspections and issued 58 citations for a total of $125,643 in fines. Here is a quick breakdown of activity: … HomeRead More »

Here is a look at OSHA’s HAZWOPER compliance activity in 2019 (October 2018 – September 2019). As you can see, OSHA did 26 inspections and issued 57 citations for a total of $271,699 in fines. Here is a quick breakdown of activity: … HomeRead More »

Here is a look at OSHA’s Permit-required confined spaces (PRCS) compliance activity in 2019 (October 2018 – September 2019). As you can see, OSHA did 134 LOTO inspections and issued 366 citations for a total of $2,425,854 in fines. Here is a quick breakdown of activity: … HomeRead More »

Here is a look at OSHA’s Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) compliance activity in 2019 (October 2018 – September 2019). As you can see, OSHA did 1,483 LOTO inspections and issued 2,608 citations for a total of $14,394,719 in fines. Here is a quick breakdown of activity: … HomeRead More »

As I grow old I think I have mellowed out too much with “sutle” hints at hazards and how we “should consider” certain things.  Well, its time to throw some cold water on the issue and WAKE THE HELL UP PEOPLE!  We have done our last audit of 2019 and like many before them we found a serious issue regarding Permit-Required Confined Spaces (PRCS), or should I say Confined...

The Harris County Fire Marshal’s Office (Case Number 1903-00046) and The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (Case Number 782035-19-0029) have issued their FINAL REPORT on the Intercontinental Terminals Company (ITC) Tank Farm Fire in La Porte on March 17, 2019.  It was observed what appeared to be studs laying in the pump housing. It appeared to be three of the four studs that...

A client got dinged on an audit because they were not having their employees medically evaluated before being provided a respirator.  They contacted their local medical facility to seek help with this and of course, the facility said they could do the medical evaluation.  This morning I received their first batch for me to sign-off on as their “safety rep”.  They paid good...

OSHA has cited a railcar service provider for confined space hazards after an employee fatality in Pennsylvania and faces $551,226 in proposed penalties.  An employee asphyxiated in May 2019, while servicing a rail car containing crude oil sludge. OSHA cited the company for four (4) willful and three (3) serious violations for failing to protect employees from the hazards of entering permit-required...

Luckily, these kinds of encounters are dwindling, but even mentioning this in 2019 says a lot for the “State of Safety” in the USA. Have you ever encountered a management group where you hoped Dr. Suess would re-write the OSHA LOTO Std?   I mean, they hire us to explain and assist in implementing the basic safety programs – LOTO being one of the top three CORE PROGRAMS (IMPO!). ...

Almost two years ago to the month I wrote about a condenser manufacturer’s marketing practices regarding their “man-sized” access door, only to be rebuffed by the manufacturer and those who were buying their model so they no longer had to follow Permit-Required Confined Space (PRCS) practices and procedures.  Now in 2019, we have a competitor who has followed suit in their concept...