February 26, 2021

1

OSHA finds workers on unprotected 3-story roof, cites Ohio contractor for exposing workers to fall hazards

CANTON, OH – Three stories above ground, five workers moved unsteadily atop a Canton apartment building, all of them at risk of a serious or fatal fall because, once again, their employer failed to ensure they used required safety equipment to protect them from falling. Ivan Lowky – their employer – was also working on the roof without necessary fall protection despite having the equipment available.

February 26, 2021

2

OSHA cites West Farmington contractor after 14-year-old installing roofing materials suffers critical injuries in fall

WEST FARMINGTON, OH – A 14-year-old boy working on the roof of a Berea townhome without required fall protection suffered critical injuries when he fell 20-feet to the ground. Immediately following this serious incident, the company’s owner and three other workers put on personal fall arrest equipment to complete the roofing work in an apparent attempt to conceal the fact that fall protection was not in use at the time of the injury.

February 25, 2021

3

US Department of Labor collaborates with Brasfield & Gorrie to promote workplace safety at Florida construction site

PENSACOLA, FL – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has signed a strategic partnership with Brasfield & Gorrie to promote worker safety and health at the Baptist Health Care Corp.’s Brent Lane Hospital project in Pensacola. The University of South Florida On-Site Safety and Health Consultation Program will also support this effort.

February 23, 2021

4

OSHA cites Missouri auto parts manufacturer for failing to implement, enforce coronavirus protections as exposure leads to press operator’s death

GRANDVIEW, MO – Two machine operators at a Grandview auto parts manufacturer who jointly operated a press tested positive for the coronavirus just two days apart, in late August 2020. The two workers typically labored for hours at a time less than two feet apart; neither wore a protective facial mask consistently. Ten days later, two more workers operating similar presses together tested positive. On Sept. 19, 2020, one of the press operators fell victim to the virus and died.

February 22, 2021

5

OSHA recognizes Buckeye oil, gas industry organization as Alliance Program Ambassador for its commitment to workplace safety, health

COLUMBUS, OH – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has conferred Alliance Program Ambassador status on Buckeye Service, Transmission, Exploration and Production Safety Network in recognition of the organization’s collaborative relationship with OSHA and its commitment to addressing safety and health hazards in Ohio’s oil and gas industry.

February 17, 2021

6

OSHA alleges Missouri plumbing contractor exposed worker to unprotected trench despite agreement to implement trench safety program

OAK GROVE, MO – Barely two years after Arrow Plumbing LLC agreed to adopt a comprehensive trench safety program following the December 2016 death of an employee in an unprotected trench, federal inspectors responding to a complaint in August 2020 found another of the company’s employees working at least 7-feet below ground in an unprotected trench in Grain Valley.

February 10, 2021

7

US Department of Labor cites Trinity Rail and Maintenance Services for confined space violations in August 2020 fatality investigation

HUGO, OK – A U.S. Department of Labor workplace safety investigation has found a Hugo rail car products and services provider did not follow federal safety standards for working in confined spaces after two workers died from inhaling toxic fumes.

January 29, 2021

8

US Department of Labor issues stronger workplace guidance on coronavirus

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor announced today that its Occupational Safety and Health Administration has issued stronger worker safety guidance to help employers and workers implement a coronavirus protection program and better identify risks which could lead to exposure and contraction. Last week, President Biden directed OSHA to release clear guidance for employers to help keep workers safe from COVID-19 exposure.

January 13, 2021

9

U.S. Department of Labor Reports 29 Mine-Related Deaths in 2020

ARLINGTON, VA – In 2020, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) reports there were 29 mining fatalities, making it the sixth consecutive year that mining fatalities were below 30. Among those fatalities, five occurred in coal mines, a historic low.

January 8, 2021

10

U.S. Department of Labor’s OSHA Announces $3,930,381 In Coronavirus Violations

WASHINGTON, DC – Since the start of the coronavirus pandemic through Dec. 31, 2020, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued citations arising from 300 inspections for violations relating to coronavirus, resulting in proposed penalties totaling $3,930,381. OSHA inspections have resulted in the agency citing employers for violations, including failures to: