20
2015How to spell the word ‘SAFETY’
Experience has shown the predominant small- to mid-size company perception of occupational safety is best summarized by the name of a major river in Africa. The fact that you are reading this article establishes your understanding of the key elements necessary for keeping that job running smoothly, incident- and injury-free. How do you do it? The Number One Basic Action: Just Say the Word: Tell…
18
2015Contractor: My competitors have waged an OSHA war
A roofing contractor says competing companies have started an “OSHA war” by reporting violations by their competitors. He says he now has no choice but to “stoop to their level.” This all started with the most recent fines issued by OSHA to Tip Top Roofing & Construction, based in Sycamore, IL, in connection with a residential construction project. OSHA issued two willful and four serious violations…
11
2015Workplace suicide numbers are heading in the wrong direction. What can you do?
Workplace suicide rates are climbing faster than rates for the general population. What’s behind this sobering statistic, and what can safety professionals do about it? Get insights here. A new National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) study concludes that occupations including protective services, farming and fishing, and automotive repair have the highest rates of workplace suicide. The study, published in the American Journal…
07
2015OSHA unveils new version of its required workplace poster
The last time OSHA updated the “It’s the Law” poster was in 2007. Now the agency is out with a new version that incorporates new injury reporting obligations for employers. The new poster informs workers of their right to: request an OSHA inspection of their workplace participate in an OSHA inspection and speak privately with the inspector see any OSHA citations issued to your employer…
04
2015EHS Today Is Accepting Applications for America’s Safest Companies!
EHS Today now is accepting applications for the 2015 America’s Safest Companies recognition program. The application can be downloaded here, and provides a snapshot of your safety program: what drives it, what challenges it and what can be shared with other companies looking to achieve the same results. Questions provide input into: Your company/management philosophy regarding safety. Examples of management’s dedication to safe production….
29
2015OSHA Issues $260K After Worker is Disciplined for Reporting Injury
Federal officials have levied the largest penalty of its kind against an employer following an investigation that showed the company taking action against an employee who reported a workplace injury. The Metro-North Commuter Railroad, based in Hartford, CT, has been ordered to pay the employee $250,000 in punitive damages, $10,000 in compensatory damages and “reasonable attorney fees.” OSHA investigated following a complaint filed by a…
24
2015OSHA Blasts Productivity Over Safety Focus By Steel Firm
OSHA blasted a large steel company for putting workers at risk in order to maintain production at an Alabama manufacturing site. Concerns about time and money cost two employees their lives and resulted in serious burns for a third according to the agency. The employees were working on a malfunctioning valve on a furnace at the site when it erupted. At the hospital, two of…
20
2015Construction: OSHA 10 Hour and OSHA 30 Hour Training Sharing
Illinois OSHA Training Sharing Series #1 Focus Four is a major part of OSHA 10 Hour and OSHA 30 Training for Construction workers. What Are the Focus Four Hazards? Electrocution – First of four series Struck-by – Second of four series Caught-in between – Third of four series Fall – Fourth of series Fatality & Statistical Analysis 85% of all citations and 90% of dollars applied…
10
2015Illinois OSHA Healthcare | Social Services Guidelines Update
April is National Workplace Violence Prevention Month: OSHA updates guidance for healthcare and social services Illinois business owner should pay attention to the latest update from their government. The implications if you do business in Illinois are far reaching. Pursuant to the OSHA Act, employers must comply with safety and health standards and regulations issued and enforced either by OSHA or by an OSHA-approved state plan….
06
2015Owner could go to jail for not reporting worker’s injury
Weekly Safety Tip: Keep injury and illness Records. Report severe work-related injuries and illnesses to OSHA. The owner of a construction company could go to jail for not reporting an employee’s foot injury that resulted in an amputation. Harry Minassian of Granada Hills, CA, faces four felony counts of workers’ compensation insurance fraud for failing to report the injury. Minassian owns Pacific Construction. An employee…