Citizen Health & Safety / Workplace Safety
OSHA Misses Injuries and Illnesses, GAO Says
Nov 24, 2009
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) cannot adequately verify lost-time injury and illness cases reported by employers, according to the Government Accountability Office (GAO). Although injury and illness rates for workers have been declining in recent years, critics say the improvement has more to do with OSHA data collection procedures than occupational safety and health policy.
read in fullFood Safety Bill, OSHA Nominee Approved by Senate Panel
Nov 18, 2009 by Matthew Madia
The Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee met this morning to mark up the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (S. 510) and to vote on the nomination of David Michaels to serve as head of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
read in fullOSHA Levies a Record Fine against Oil Giant BP
Nov 10, 2009
On Oct. 30, the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced it was issuing a proposed $87.4 million fine against BP Products North America Inc. (BP) for failure to remedy workplace hazards. The proposed fine is the largest ever issued by the agency and results from a 2005 explosion at an oil refinery that killed 15 workers.
read in fullRule Allowing Truckers to Spend More Time behind the Wheel Will Be Revised
Oct 28, 2009 by Matthew Madia
Check off another one of the Bush administration’s midnight regulations that will be changed by the Obama administration.
read in fullUpdate on Labor Department Nominees
Oct 22, 2009 by Matthew Madia
Yesterday, the Senate confirmed Joe Main to serve as the Assistant Secretary of Labor for Mine Safety and Health. Main was a long-time safety official at the United Mine Workers Association.
read in fullWhile Industry Attacks OSHA Nominee, Dems Bypass Hearing
Oct 20, 2009 by Matthew Madia
Tomorrow morning, the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee is scheduled to vote on the nomination of David Michaels, President Obama’s pick to head the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Michaels nomination was not subject to a confirmation hearing, though he did meet individually with some Senators, according to E&E Daily (subscription).
read in fullSugar Company Ignored Explosion Hazards, Investigation Concludes
Sep 29, 2009
The U.S. Chemical Safety Board's (CSB) investigation into the cause of a fatal 2008 explosion at a Georgia sugar refinery concludes that the Imperial Sugar Company and its managers did not take corrective actions to prevent dust explosions, even though they knew of potential hazards. The initial blast and subsequent dust explosions throughout the plant killed 14 workers and injured 36.
read in fullLabor Quashes Bush-Era Risk Assessment Proposal
Aug 31, 2009 by Matthew Madia
The Department of Labor (DOL) today officially announced that it will not go forward with a controversial proposal that would have made it more difficult for the government to write new worker protection rules.
read in fullLabor Department to Increase Inspection Force
Aug 21, 2009 by Matthew Madia
The Labor Department is planning to hire hundreds of new employees to enforce federal worker protection standards, according to The Wall Street Journal.
read in fullLabor Appointees to Pay Workers More Attention
Jul 20, 2009 by Matthew Madia
With the Department of Labor’s new leadership picture coming into focus, it’s clear that regulatory agencies responsible for protecting workers will undertake a more proactive agenda during the Obama administration.
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