DUDLEY, MO ‒ A federal workplace safety investigation alleges that a Dexter construction contractor might have prevented a pipelayer’s fatal injuries in a trench collapse on April 8, 2022, if the company had used trench safety protection measures as required by law.

The worker was installing storm water drainage in an 8-foot-deep trench along Old Highway 60 in Dudley when the tragedy occurred.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Department of Labor officials gathered with workers, union representatives and labor organizers from a range of industries to discuss the value of building relationships and collaborating on ideas to address workers’ concerns at its Workers’ Voice Summit, Sept. 27-29, 2022.

TRENTON, NJ -The U.S.

ATLANTA – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration reminds first responders, those involved in rescue and recovery efforts, and residents in areas affected by Hurricane Ian to be vigilant and protect themselves from the many hazards that flooding, power loss, structural damage, fallen trees and storm debris may create.

KANSAS CITY, MO – In two incidents in September, Midwest workers operating riding mowers suffered fatal injuries when the machines rolled over on top of them, prompting the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration to alert employers to train workers of the hazards they face and how to avoid them.

Participant:   Huber Engineered Woods LLC,  Easton, Maine.

Description:  Huber Engineered Woods, which employs about 135 workers in Easton, manufactures oriented strand board for commercial and residential construction.

WHO:                         Marvin

                                  Fargo, North Dakota

WHAT:                      Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s Voluntary Protection Program

                                  Star Level Designation

BELLWOOD, IL – A federal workplace safety inspection found a Chicago-area candy manufacturer’s long history of violations for machine safety requirements continues after the company exposed workers to amputation hazards and failed to utilize lockout procedures for the third time in five years at its Bellwood site.

ASHLAND, AL – A federal workplace safety investigation into a maintenance technician’s fatal electrocution found an Ashland cabinet manufacturer might have prevented the incident by following required safety standards.

BOSTON – A heavy equipment operator doing demolition on the eighth floor of the Government Center garage in downtown Boston died on March 26, 2022, when the partially demolished floor collapsed, and the 11,000-pound excavator and its operator fell 80 feet. It was the employee’s first day on the job.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the award of $11,746,992, in grants to support worker and employer education to make workplaces around the nation safer and healthier.

WHO:            Hendrickson Trailer Suspension Systems

                      Mitchell, South Dakota                                                                   

WHAT:          Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s

                     Star Level Designation

MADISON, WI – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Wisconsin On-Site Safety and Health Consultation Program, Knutson Construction and area labor unions are partnering to protect worker safety and health during construction of the Mayo Clinic Health Systems’ Bed Tower project in La Crosse.

WHO:                        Cardinal IG, Fargo, North Dakota                                           

WHAT:                      Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s Voluntary Protection Program

Star Level Designation

Who:        Occupational Safety and Health Administration

                 North American Excavation Shoring Assoc.

What:    Colorado Trench Safety Summit

When:   Oct. 5, 2022

                  7 a.m.-4 p.m. MT

Where:  Adams County Fairgrounds

HARTFORD, CT – For several months, employees at a Manchester environmental laboratory complained to management about faulty ventilation systems at the work site and about symptoms – including dizziness, light-headedness, headaches and unsteady walking – all of which can be caused by exposure to methylene chloride, a highly hazardous chemical and a workplace carcinogen.

WASHINGTON – To strengthen enforcement and improve compliance with workplace safety standards and reduce worker injuries and illnesses, the U.S. Department of Labor is expanding the criteria for placement in the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s Severe Violator Enforcement Program.

Participant:           Owens Corning

                                    5201 Bannock St.

                                    Denver, Colorado

BRADENTON, FL – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration signed a strategic partnership with Ryan Companies US Inc. to promote worker safety and health during construction of the Lakewood Ranch multi-family housing project in Bradenton.

WHO:             Occupational Safety and Health Administration

                        North Texas National Utility Contractors Assoc.

WHAT:          Trench training event

WHEN:          Sept. 16, 2022

                        7 a.m. to noon CDT

WHERE:       Bob Jones Park