Construction firms and other employers in California must begin training employees in Valley fever risks and control measures under a new state law. Employers must offer initial worker training by May 1, 2020.

OSHA has cited Prestress Services Industries of Ohio, LLC, for 20 safety and health violations at its concrete production plant in Mount Vernon, Ohio. The agency is seeking penalties of $158,555. The employer is contesting the citations.

OSHA proposed to amend the construction and shipyard standards for beryllium exposures. The proposal leaves the permissible exposure limit (PEL) of 0.2 micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m3) and short-term exposure limit (STEL) of 2.0 µg/m3 in place but would revise several portions of the standards’ ancillary provisions.

What have OSHA’s compliance officers been up to lately? Take a look at some of the more significant enforcement cases from the past several months to find out. From the usual suspects like fall hazards and excavations to some less typical cases, recent enforcement activity illustrates the importance of a strong safety and health program for employers of all types and sizes.

OSHA has replaced its Enforcement Weighting System (EWS) with a new OSHA Weighting System (OWS) to encourage its field staff to conduct compliance assistance activities, in addition to performing enforcement inspections to reduce the deadliest workplace hazards.