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US Department of Labor’s OSHA announces $1,222,156 in coronavirus violations

WASHINGTON, DC (STL.News) Since the start of the coronavirus pandemic through Oct. 8, 2020, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited 85 establishments for violations relating to coronavirus, resulting in proposed penalties totaling $1,222,156. OSHA inspections have resulted in the agency citing employers for violations, including failures to: Implement a written respiratory protection program; Provide a medical evaluation, respirator fit test, training on the proper use of a respirator and personal protective equipment; Report an injury, illness or fatality; Record an injury or illness on OSHA record-keeping forms; and Comply with the General Duty Clause of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 CLICK to VIEW COMPLETE...

Business

U.S. Department of Labor Orders US Corrections, LLC To Reinstate Employee

U.S. Department of Labor Orders US Corrections, LLC, a Florida-Based Motor Carrier To Reinstate Employee Terminated For Reporting Safety Concerns MELBOURNE, FL (STL.News) The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has ordered U.S. Corrections, LLC – headquartered in Melbourne, Florida – to reinstate an employee for reporting personal and commercial motor vehicle safety concerns. OSHA also ordered the company to pay more than $70,000 in back wages, $30,000 in punitive damages, $7,341 in compensatory damages, $30,000 in emotional distress damages and reasonable attorney’s fees. OSHA investigators determined the company violated the whistleblower provisions of the Surface Transportation Assistance Act (STAA) when it terminated the employee who report...

Business

US Department of Labor Cites North Dakota Grain Facility, Columbia Grain International After Employee Fatality

ARVILLA, ND (STL.News) The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Columbia Grain International (CGI) LLC for willfully exposing workers to grain-handling hazards after the fatal engulfment of an employee at the company’s Arvilla, North Dakota, storage facility. The company faces $190,000 in proposed penalties. OSHA inspectors determined that CGI failed to follow OSHA standards during grain bin entry and cleaning operations. OSHA issued a willful citation for allowing employees to “walk the grain” and for not preventing contact with operating machine parts by locking out the bin’s conveyor system. Violations related to walking/working surfaces, ladder use, machine guarding, bin entry procedures and bin rescue procedures resulted in seri...

Business

US Department of Labor Cites Illinois Smelter, Mayco Industries for Exposing Employees to Lead, Arsenic and Other Hazards

GRANITE CITY, IL (STL.News) The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Mayco Manufacturing LLC – operating as Mayco Industries Inc. – for exposing employees to lead and arsenic in addition to machine, electrical and fall hazards. The Granite City, Illinois, lead smelter faces $223,148 in penalties for 18 serious health violations. OSHA received a report that employees suffered caustic burns from water mixed with sodium hydroxide used to extinguish a fire. OSHA cited the company for failing to monitor for arsenic and maintain lead exposures below permissible exposure limits; train employees on arsenic and other chemical hazards; keep surfaces clean from lead and arsenic; and check the effectiveness of ventilation systems. OSHA also cited...