Here’s What’s New in OSHA Compliance
OSHA Reopens COVID-19 Rule for Healthcare Workers
On March 22, OSHA reopened its rule-making record for the proposed final rule on COVID-19 exposure protection for healthcare workers. The agency, which now seeks comments and data, also scheduled an informal public hearing -- to be held on April 27 -- to develop a...
OSHA Fines PA Recycler $88K for Combustible Dust Hazards
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) takes its job seriously. Break the rules, and you can expect to face steep OSHA fines and penalties. In severe cases, you could even face criminal charges. Now, following an inspection of a Pennsylvania...
Business Owner Personally Liable for $2 Million in OSHA Fines
When OSHA fines are handed down, they don’t usually target individuals. However, when you’re one of the biggest offenders of the past decade, all bets are off. Now, after years of violations, one New Jersey business owner is being held directly responsible. Recently,...
The Dramatic Toll of COVID-19 on Healthcare Workers
Just a few months ago, the Bureau of Labor Statistics released their annual workplace injury and illness report. Comparing data from 2019-2020, it reveals the significant impact of COVID-19 across all workplaces. However, while nearly all areas felt the sting to one...
NIOSH Takes Step Toward Reducing Silica Dust Exposure in Mines
Recently, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) published a booklet to help miners reduce their exposure to respirable dust in metal and nonmetal mines. These controls not only reduce dangerous respiratory problems, they also lower the risk...
10 Things Employers Should Know About Drug and Alcohol Testing
How to understand the laws and create your own drug and alcohol testing policy Drug and alcohol policy vary by company — but being under the influence can have added dangers in industries such as construction and manufacturing. That’s why it’s important for...
Manufacturing Facility Faces $127K in Penalties after OSHA Inspection
OSHA takes workplace safety and the health of your employees seriously. As such, when you break the rules, it shouldn't come as a surprise when you're facing heavy financial penalties. Now, a New Jersey product protection and packaging company faces more than $127K in...
Top five respiratory protection violations from 2021
Respiratory protection in the workplace Every fall, OSHA releases its annual top-ten violations list. In 2021, respiratory protection - standard 1910.134 - rose up the list, finishing at no. 2. Only fall protection violations were more commonly cited....
EPA Reverses Finding on HBCD
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is seeking public comments on a revised draft risk evaluation for the substance Cyclic Aliphatic Bromide Cluster -- also known as HBDC -- which states that the chemical poses unreasonable risk under certain conditions. This...
Sarcoidosis Linked to Silica, Beryllium Exposure
It's long been known how dangerous occupational exposure to silica and beryllium is. Now, you can add to the list of dangers: the inflammatory diseases known as sarcoidosis. What is Sarcoidosis? Sarcoidosis is a disease in which inflammatory cells...