December 18, 2012

US Department of Labors OSHA files petition against SeaWorld of Florida to comply with subpoenas during follow-up inspection

ORLANDO, Fla. – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has filed a petition against SeaWorld of Florida LLC to comply with administrative subpoenas that require SeaWorld to provide three managers to be interviewed during OSHA's follow-up abatement inspection. SeaWorld has declined to provide personnel to answer questions regarding abatement or correction of a prior violation related to trainers' exposure to struck-by and drowning hazards when engaged in performances with killer whales.

December 5, 2012

OSHA News Release: Whistleblowers can now file complaints online with OSHA [12/05/2012]

WASHINGTON — Whistleblowers covered by one of 22 statutes administered by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration will now be able to file complaints online. The online form will provide workers who have been retaliated against an additional way to reach out for OSHA assistance online.

December 3, 2012

OSHA News Release: US Labor Department seeks public comment on agency standards to improve chemical safety [12/03/2012]

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration today announced a request for information seeking public comment on potential revisions to its Process Safety Management standard and related standards, as well as other policy options to prevent major chemical incidents.

December 2, 2012

OSHA News Release: Aldridge Electric cited by US Labor Department's OSHA after heat-related death of worker in Chicago [12/02/2012]

CHICAGO — The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Aldridge Electric Inc. for one serious safety violation following the June 25 death of a 36-year-old worker who developed heat stroke at a job site in Chicago. The company was installing electrical conduit in an uncovered trench on the Chicago Transit Authority's Dan Ryan Red Line project when the worker became ill on his first day on the job.

December 2, 2012

OSHA News Release: Aldridge Electric cited by US Labor Department's OSHA after heat-related death of worker in Chicago [12/02/2012]

CHICAGO — The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Aldridge Electric Inc. for one serious safety violation following the June 25 death of a 36-year-old worker who developed heat stroke at a job site in Chicago. The company was installing electrical conduit in an uncovered trench on the Chicago Transit Authority's Dan Ryan Red Line project when the worker became ill on his first day on the job.

November 30, 2012

FAA proposes policy to improve flight attendant workplace safety

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Aviation Administration, working with the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration, today proposed a new policy for addressing flight attendant workplace safety.

While the FAA's aviation safety regulations take precedence, the agency is proposing that OSHA be able to enforce certain occupational safety and health standards currently not covered by FAA oversight.

November 27, 2012

US Labor Department's OSHA cites Bristol, Conn., metal stamping plant for 30 serious safety violations, proposes $139,000 in fines

OSHA finds mechanical, electrical, fall, exit access and combustible dust hazards

HARTFORD, Conn. The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Associated Spring-Barnes Group Inc. for 30 alleged serious violations of workplace safety standards at the company's Bristol metal stamping plant. The company faces a total of $139,000 in proposed fines for electrical, mechanical, exit access, fall and combustible dust hazards identified during an inspection by OSHA's Hartford Area Office.

November 26, 2012

Dalton, Ga., chemical manufacturer cited by US Department of Labors OSHA for 20 safety violations following explosion; proposed penalties total $77,000

DALTON, Ga. – MFG Chemical Inc. in Dalton has been cited by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration for 20 safety violations following a plant explosion that resulted in the hospitalization of approximately 40 employees for decontamination. Proposed penalties total $77,000.

November 26, 2012

US Department of Labors OSHA cites Mississippi Phosphates for 40 safety and health violations following 2 worker fatalities

PASCAGOULA, Miss. – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Mississippi Phosphates Corp. with 40 safety and health violations following the deaths of two workers in separate incidents at the company's Pascagoula facilities. The fatalities led to comprehensive inspections by OSHA.

November 26, 2012

Commercial bakery in the Bronx cited by US Labor Departments OSHA for 26 serious violations of safety and health standards

Zaro Bake Shop faces $118,000 in proposed fines

TARRYTOWN, N.Y. Zaro Bake Shop Inc., a commercial bakery in the Bronx, has been cited by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration for 26 serious violations of workplace safety and health standards. OSHA initiated inspections in April in response to a complaint, and is proposing $118,000 in fines.

November 15, 2012

US Labor Department's OSHA encourages retailers to provide crowd management measures to protect workers during major sales events

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration is encouraging retail employers to take precautions to prevent worker injuries during Black Friday and other major sales events during the holiday season.

In 2008, a worker was trampled to death while a mob of shoppers rushed through the doors of a large store to take advantage of an after-Thanksgiving Day Black Friday sales event. OSHA recommends that retailers follow certain safeguards against this type of tragedy.

November 14, 2012

US Labor Department seeks court enforcement of order requiring Star Air to reinstate 2 wrongfully terminated Ohio truck drivers

AKRON, Ohio – The U.S. Department of Labor has filed a lawsuit in federal court seeking to enforce a final decision and order issued to North Canton-based trucking company Star Air and owner Robert R. Custer for terminating two truck drivers in violation of the Surface Transportation Assistance Act's whistleblower provisions. The company has been ordered to pay $612,205.

November 14, 2012

US Labor Department recovers back wages for student workers, fines companies for labor violations at warehouse in Palmyra, Pa.

PHILADELPHIA – The U.S. Department of Labor has recovered more than $213,000 in back wages for 1,028 foreign students employed in summer jobs in Palmyra where they repackaged candies for promotional displays. The settlement with The SHS Group, LP, the Council for Educational Travel-USA, and Exel Inc. resolves federal minimum wage and overtime violations, and also resolves $143,000 in fines for safety and health violations found at an Exel-operated facility in Palmyra.

November 7, 2012

Northern Illinois Flight Center ordered by US Labor Department's OSHA to reinstate, pay more than $500,000 to illegally terminated pilot

Whistleblower investigation found violations of the federal Wendell H. Ford Aviation Investment and Reform Act for the 21st Century

November 5, 2012

US Labor Departments OSHA urges hurricane recovery workers to protect themselves against hazards

BOSTON – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration is urging workers and members of the public engaged in Hurricane Sandy cleanup and recovery efforts in New York, New Jersey and the New England states to be aware of the hazards they might encounter and the steps they should take to protect themselves.