Here’s What’s New in OSHA Compliance
Silica Exposure Fine Shows Value of Medical Surveillance
A manufacturing facility in Riviera Beach, Fl. is facing $132,037 worth of fines after an OSHA inspection found various health and safety hazards, including silica exposure levels above the PEL. Furthermore, the inspector cited the company for exposing employees to...
OSHA Issues New Respirator Fit Testing Protocols
On Sept. 26, OSHA issued a final rule for two new respirator fit testing protocols (for quantitative fit testing) to ensure that employee respirators fit properly. Employers can use these protocols to keep workers safe from airborne contaminants. One of the two new...
PA Company Pays Out $1.04 Million For Whistleblower Protection Violation
Whistleblower Protection Violations In August 2019, a federal judge awarded $547,399 in lost wages plus compensation, and $500,000 in punitive damages, to two former employees of a Pennsylvania fire protection equipment manufacturer. The judge’s decision...
Ohio Company Fined for Hexavalent Chromium Exposure
OSHA fined a Warren County auto parts manufacturer $188,329 for exposing employees to hexavalent chromium. The company reached an agreement with OSHA after a July 2019 inspection resulted in various health & safety hazards. Along with the fines, the businesses was...
Look Out for Mold Hazards at Work this Fall
September is hurricane season, which means many workers will be involved in cleaning up the aftermath of powerful storms. Even though Hurricane Dorian is gone, hazardous conditions likely still exist. Mold hazards can be especially pervasive following hurricane...
Florida Company Fined for Hearing, Silica Violations
On Aug. 9, OSHA cited and fined a bullet-proof vest fabricator $66,300 for violating both the respirable silica and noise exposure standards. The US Department of Labor conducted an inspection in late May 2019, at a facility in Miami Lakes, Fl. The inspection...
FLU SEASON: Now is the Time to Prepare for the Flu at Work
Flu Season is Here Sore throats, fuzzy heads, nausea, and tiredness — most people have been unfortunate enough to experience the flu and its symptoms at least once in their lives. Each year on average, between 5 and 20 percent of the U.S. population comes down with...
MSHA Issues RFI on Respirable Silica
Mining and Silica Exposure On Aug. 29, the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) published a request for input on ways to monitor and regulate miner exposure to quartz - the most common form of respirable silica.This request follows a push from...
How to Use Leading Indicators on Your Work Site
On Aug. 9, OSHA launched a new page on its website to help employers understand and use leading indicators. Leading indicators are factors that can be tracked to prevent injuries and illnesses on a jobsite. This could be the number of managers and workers...
OSHA Requests Industry Feedback on Silica Standard
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is officially seeking industry input on the respirable crystalline silica standard for construction and general industry. OSHA's concern centers around Table 1 of the standard, which lists...