Search Results for 'news'
OSHA fines NY medical lab $58,000 for inadequate safeguards against bloodborne pathogens
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings for repeat and serious safety and health violations, following a November 2012 complaint against its medical lab at Schenectady in Albany, NY. The company was issued a total of $58,000 in proposed fines after OSHA’s Albany office inspected the lab and […]
Ohio farmer dies in grain bin accident
A 68-year-old Clark County farmer, Warren Mumma, died after falling and sinking into a grain bin filled with 10,000 bushels of corn. Mumma was loading corn in a tractor-trailer with his son when he climbed to the bin’s top without a safety harness. He was trying to install an auger which would move corn away […]
Harmful chemicals in healthy foods
Does it make you cringe to wonder if your “sandwich artist” washed his hands before assembling your masterpiece, or if a restaurant is vigilant about keeping foods refrigerated and surfaces bacteria-free? Well, take heart. That apple or container of homemade pasta salad in your lunch may pose a greater health threat. Many foods that we […]
OSHA cites Maine sawmill for repeat safety violations
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited a sawmill in Jefferson, Maine for three alleged repeat safety violations and seven serious violations imposing a fine of $79,310. The sawmill, N.C. Hunt Lumber, failed to use necessary safety procedures to prevent logging vehicles from striking workers. The violations included failure to install signs and […]
Drop in honeybee population worries U.S. farmers
Bees, besides producing honey, pollinate a full 30 percent of the food we eat, like cherries, almonds, and raspberries. They’re a necessary part of our food chain and ecosystem, and they are in danger. A United States Department of Agriculture survey recently found that U.S. beekeepers lost about 30% of their honeybees colonies last winter. […]
Why is worker safety neglected in post-disaster cleanups?
Following a natural or man-made disaster, time is of the essence for mitigating the damage. But does the need for a rapid response justify throwing worker safety out the window? Standards from the Occupational Safety & Health Administration require that workers receive adequate protection against workplace hazards, including protective equipment and training. But from the […]
Safety violations abounded in post-Hurricane Sandy cleanup
OSHA urged cleanup and recovery workers to be wary of hazards amid the post-hurricane Sandy debris. Still, many workers suffered chemical exposure, falls, and electrical shocks, in part due to the lack of personal protective equipment (PPE). An investigation by Daily News revealed that many of thousands of workers who cleaned and rebuilt homes in hurricane-struck […]
Low-rise construction sites net $1 million in fines in NYC
The New York annual ‘Construction Safety Week’ kick-started with the announcement of the results of Operation: Low Rise that constituted a two-month inspection of low-rise construction sites throughout the five boroughs in the city. The inspection resulted in $954,450 in penalties for 900 safety violations coupled with full and partial ‘stop work orders’ at 12% […]
Street food vendors VS. NYC health department
Mobile eateries just can’t seem to catch a break! Modern street kitchens that serve up an array of dazzlingly varied cuisines to foodies in New York are under scrutiny, yet again. This time it is for issues like health violations, overcrowded sidewalks, and a thriving black market for permits. The city’s Health Department has released […]
Construction safety culture starts before work begins
Construction safety culture is a must for any company’s success and well-being. Construction is one of the most dangerous industries, simply due to the nature of the work. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the field sees the second highest number of fatalities every year, ranking just behind transportation and warehousing. Last week, ACE Construction, […]
Is the Texas explosion OSHA’s fault?
Just two days after the terrifying Boston Marathon bombings, an explosion at the West Fertilizer Company in Texas jolted the country and swamped the news world. Taking 14 lives and injuring approximately 200 people, the incident started with a fire that was followed by an explosion that caused a 2.1-magnitude earthquake. The disaster turned many […]