Standards

In a wide-ranging, informal discussion at a May 21 general session at AIHce 2103, U.S. Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA Dr. David Michaels shared his views on budget constraints, the regulatory process and public policy issues in workplace safety and health with  former OSHA Administrator John Henshaw, CIH. Henshaw is vice president of the Academy of Industrial Hygiene....More

OSHA has cited Phoenix Industrial Cleaning for 28 alleged serious safety violations following the death of Bernardo Martinez, 37, who fell from a ladder inside of a storage tank at Sunnyside Corp. in Wheeling, Ill. – a manufacturer of paint removers, paint thinners and wood care products – on Nov. 29, 2012. OSHA has proposed fines of $77,200. The Cook County Medical Examiner’s office ruled in November 2012 that Martinez fell into the 50-ft. chamber, suffering multiple blunt injuries to the head as well as exposure to methylene chloride....More

Christopher Chin probably thought it only would take a second to remove the piece of cardboard from the hopper at the Pilgrim’s Pride facility where he worked in Canton, Ga., last October. Reaching in to grab the cardboard, Chin became caught in the machine and was killed. According to OSHA investigators, the machine should have been fitted with a guard to keep employees from reaching into the machine while it was operating....More

In conjunction with the observation of Workers’ Memorial Day, OSHA sent a memorandum on April 29 an initiative to further protect temporary employees from workplace hazards. Workers’ Memorial Day is an annual observance to honor workers who have died on the job and renew a commitment to making work sites across the country safer and 2013 marks the 25th anniversary of the observance.  ...More

A new OSHA final rule published in the Federal Register extends the August 2010 cranes and derricks in construction standard to include demolition work and underground construction. The final rule goes into effect on May 23. According to OSHA, the rule will protect construction workers from hazards associated with hoisting equipment. It applies the same crane rules to underground construction and demolition that already are being used by other construction sectors....More