Here’s What’s New in OSHA Compliance
OSHA Addresses Coronavirus & Employee Exposure
As reports of Coronavirus continue to dominate headlines, OSHA recently offered information on preventing exposure. Coronavirus is a deadly respiratory illness linked to origins in a seafood and animal market in Wuhan, China, according to the CDC. Symptoms include...
OSHA Raises Health & Safety Penalties for 2020
On Jan. 15, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) raised its civil health & safety penalties by about 1.8 percent. The final rule increases minimum and maximum financial penalties for workplace violations. This rate adjusts for inflation, as...
REMINDER: EINs & OSHA 300A Forms For 2020
For the entire month of January, OSHA has been tweeting out reminders for all employers -- subject to OSHA electronic reporting of injury and illness records -- that their OSHA 300A Annual Summary must be electronically filed by March 2, 2020. The requirement under...
Manufacturer Faces $171K Heavy Metal Exposure Fine
On Jan. 10, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) proposed $171,628 in penalties to an industrial valve manufacturing company based in Prairie du Sac, Wi for excessive heavy metal exposure. According to OSHA, the manufacturer exposed employees to...
EPA Evaluating NMP Chemical For Workplace Exposure Hazards
A chemical commonly found in paint strippers may pose “unreasonable risk” to some workers. N-methylpyrrolidone, also known as NMP, is currently under review by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to evaluate hazards. The EPA released a draft risk evaluation on...
Illinois Foundry Faces Large Fine for Lead Exposure
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration cited an Illinois lead foundry for exposing workers to toxic lead dust, along with several other health and safety violations. In all, the Granite City facility was cited for 18 serious health violations, totaling...
Over 1 Million Workers Now Eligible For Overtime Pay
Effective Jan. 1, 2020, as a result of a new overtime rule, 29 CFR 541, the Department of Labor estimates that 1.2 million additional workers will be entitled to minimum wage and overtime pay as a result of the increase to the standard salary level. The Department...
Manufacturer Cited for Amputation, Respiratory Health Hazards
An Indiana manufacturer faces $195,034 in penalties following an OSHA inspection at its Lavonia, Ga. site. OSHA cited the company for exposing workers to amputation, respiratory health hazards, and other safety-related issues. Investigators found that the metal crate...
5 Occupations with High Asbestos Exposure Risk
Due to its sturdiness and ability to resist heat, asbestos was once known as the “miracle material." Now, it's notorious for causing health issues. About 20 years ago, OSHA began to heavily regulate asbestos after health professionals recognized the dangers of working...
OSHA Inspections Ramped Up in 2019
The Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) significantly increased its number of inspections in fiscal year 2019. Over the last year, OSHA conducted 33,401 inspections relating to trenching, falls, chemical exposure, silica, and other hazards. ...