OSHA Continues Their Focus on Federal Workers Safety

Washington - The program is nationwide and is to emphasize safety for federal workers. The Federal Agency Targeting Inspection Program (FEDTARG09) implements procedures to OSHA field staff that they must follow when they are inspecting the most hazardous workplaces.

"OSHA's mission of protecting worker safety doesn't begin and end with private industry," said acting Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA Jordan Barab. "It also extends to those who work in federal agencies. This directive is part of OSHA's continued efforts in assuring that the men and women who work to improve the lives of American citizens are provided safe working environments." (OSHA.com)

OSHA's Federal Agency Programs (FAP) is the point of contact for the federal sector regarding all regulations for safety and health issues. The FAP regulates and inspects all of the federal programs and reports to OSHA.

June is National Safety Month!

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Eight Employees Injured by Wood Shoring System

Jackson, Miss - OSHA has assessed $175,000 in penalties to two construction companies. The penalties are regarding the November 2008 collapse of a wood shoring system at new medical towers addition in Miss.

Eight employees of the two above mentioned companies were injured when the second story floor collapsed while they were pouring concrete. After OSHA's evaluation there were "two willful violations with penalties of $140,000 and five serious safety violations with $33,000 in penalties." (OSHA.com) The framework was not erected or braced to support the work that needed to be completed. The other violations include; failure to train staff, provide drawings on site during the first two weeks of construction and vertically align tiered shores, and the shoring equipment had not been inspected prior to erections.

When a citation is given the company has 15 business days to address the issues and/or request an informal conference with OSHA's are director.

Young Worker Initiative

Fort Lauderdale, FL - OSHA and Indian River State College are offering training to students between the ages of 14 and 16. The training will be in the area of job safety awareness. The training session is two weeks class room training. The Curriculum focuses on safety and health as well as the construction trades.

"OSHA is excited to sponsor this program for more than 240 students as part of the agency's Young Worker Initiative, which provides information and resources to teenagers, parents, educators and employers to ensure safe and rewarding work experiences for summer employees," said Darlene Fossum, OSHA's area director in Fort Lauderdale.
(OSHA.com)

The program will be from June 15-18 and June 22-25 from 2pm to 3pm. If you would like any further information regarding the training sessions please contact the college's Corporate and Community Training Institute at 777-462-7635.

Exposure to Hydrogen Sulfite ended in a Fatality

Huntsville, AL - OSHA cited a Huntsville, AL company for safety violations after a worker's exposure to hydrogen sulfite ended in a fatality last December. The company has a history of repeat violations with a penalty of $12,500 after OSHA found the process vessels not properly labeled.

The company is also being cited for 13 other serious violations costing them another $61,500 in penalties. The following serious violations were cited by OSHA; failure to install hydrogen sulfite monitors and a lack of training for employees who handle hazardous chemicals, deficiencies in respiratory protection as well as confined space and lockout/tagout programs.

"OSHA is serious about safety, and we expect employers to take safety seriously as well," said Roberto Sanchez, OSHA's area director in Birmingham. "This employer has been fined by OSHA in the past for numerous violations of the OSHA standards but continues to place his employees in danger." (OSHA.com)

OSHA is cracking down on high injury and illness rates

WASHINGTON- OSHA sent out over 13,500 letters to employers that have high injury and illness rates that are above the national average. OSHA sent out the letter in April to remind employers of the importance of safety and health conditions in the workplace.

"Employers whose businesses have injury and illness rates this high need to take immediate steps to protect their workers', said acting Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA Jordan Barab. 'Our goal is to make employers aware of their high injury and illness rates and to get them to eliminate hazards in their workplace. To help them in this regard, OSHA offers free assistance programs to help employers better protect the safety and health of their workers." (OSHA.com)

OSHA obtained this data from 80,000 sites for the 2007 calendar year. Employers that received the letter were given updated OSHA standard and were offered assistance, suggestions, and free consultation services. You can visit OSHA.com for the updated regulations and forms.

Recovery Act of 2009 Implemented

St. Louis - The St. Louis OSHA office has implemented a special program in Missouri. The emphasis is on reducing hazards in the workplace on construction projects that have been funded by the Recovery Act of 2009. This group's focus will be on ensuring safety of all involved.
"The hazards associated with the construction industry are well recognized, especially on large projects involving highways, bridges, new building construction, and existing building renovation and demolition operations," said Charles E. Adkins, OSHA's regional administrator in Kansas City, Mo. "OSHA's St. Louis Area Office will devote resources to outreach and enforcement activities for employers of Recovery Act-funded sites in its jurisdiction to help ensure worksites are safe and healthful." (OSHA.com)

The focus of this program will be on all job sites that have been implemented due to the Recovery Act. Due to the transitional nature of the construction industry all employers and therefore employees will be held to the standards of OSHA and will be inspected on a regular basis.

'Earth 2100': Is this the Final Century of Our Civilization?

ABC aired an Eye Opening special last night. If you missed this estimated glimpse into the future you really missed out. They attacked two scenarios: 1. What will the future be like if we don’t change out ways? 2. And what will the world be like if we do? In scenario one they show how we will begin a massive food shortage. Many factors effect this such as population increase, drought from temperature rising, the fact that it takes 10 pounds of grain to produce 1 pound of meat and meat consumption is going up significantly. Next follows disease, that are new or dormant, or ones that simply flourish because we’re out of medications!

Check out the video below:

Visit ABC to learn more: http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/Earth2100

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Fire Protection in Shipyard Employment

Baytown, Texas:
A steel company in Baytown Texas was penalized in the amount of $146,500 after an OSHA inspection. Per the results of the inspection the company allegedly failed to follow the safety and health hazard guidelines set by OSHA for their industry. The investigation began in November of 2008. They found 29 serious violations that consisted of: "failing to evaluate the worksite for confined spaces to prevent possible entrapment of employees; to ensure an authorized employee was adequately trained on the methods to control hazardous energy; and to ensure the required machine guarding." (OSHA.com) Along with the serious violations two repeat citations were also issue. A repeat citation is one that the company has been penalized for and requested to fix by OSHA and has failed to do so.

"Failure to implement OSHA's standards and regulations to prevent potential serious hazards will not be tolerated," said Mark Briggs, OSHA's Houston South area director. "It is fortunate in this case that no one was injured" (OSHA.com) As with all citations and penalties the company has 15 business days to comply, request a conference with the local OSHA office or contest the citations before an independent OSHA review commission.