In November 2017, the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) reported that injury and illness rates among workers at meat and poultry slaughter and processing plants declined from 2004 through 2015 but that in 2015, the industry still had the 8th-highest number of severe injury reports of all industries. But the condition in plants that seemed to concern the GAO the most was the difficulty workers had in “gaining timely access to bathrooms.”

One of the most common indoor sources of carbon monoxide are forklifts that have not been properly maintained or for which a dilution flow of air has not been established. This hazard was recently reported by OSHA in conjunction with an investigation into an Illinois-based pallet manufacturer.

By Elizabeth M Dickinson, JD, Legal Editor - EHS
California has more than its share of natural disasters: earthquakes, wildfires, and mudslides, to name several. Although California workplaces can’t control these and other unexpected occurrences, they can successfully survive such events, provided they invest the time and resources needed to be prepared. So, what actions should you take to be ready to combat a disaster in the Golden State?

July 19, 2018 (Proposed Rule) - The Occupational Safety and Health Administration published its final rule for cranes and derricks in construction on August 9, 2010. The final rule set out new requirements to enhance worker safety around cranes and derricks. On October 7, 2010, the Association of American Railroads filed a petition for review in the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia challenging certain requirements affecting railroad roadway work. Subsequently OSHA and AAR reached a settlement agreement under which OSHA agreed to undertake rulemaking to propose expanding several exemptions and to issue clarifications affecting work on or along railroad tracks.