OSHA Investigators to Focus on Key Hazards During Healthcare Inspections

Targeting some of the most common causes of workplace injury and illness in the healthcare industry, OSHA is expanding its use of enforcement resources in hospitals and nursing homes.

OSHA advised its staff through amemorandum that all inspections of hospitals and nursing home facilities, including those prompted by complaints, referrals or severe injury reports, should include the review of potential hazards involving musculoskeletal disorders related to patient handling; bloodborne pathogens; workplace violence; tuberculosis; and slips, trips and falls.

“Workers in hospitals, nursing homes and long-term care facilities have work injury and illness rates that are among the highest in the country, and virtually all of these injuries and illnesses are preventable,” said Dr. David Michaels, assistant secretary of labor for occupational safety and health.

OSHA provides employers with education, training and resource materials to protect healthcare workers. For more information, see the news release.

OSHA Heat App Surpasses 200K Downloads

More than 200,000 users have downloaded the OSHA Heat Safety Tool since its launch in 2011. This spring, OSHA released a new version of the app for Apple devices, with full-screen color alerts, improved navigation and accessibility options.

This improved version lets you know instantly if you are in a high-risk zone due to heat and humidity and precautions that need to be taken to prevent heat-related illness. The recently updated app gives users important safety information when and where they need it — right on their mobile phones. Download this life-saving app today.

More information on preventing heat-related illness is available on OSHA’s website, where you can find fact sheets, training manuals, community posters, and more in both English and Spanish.

Corizon Health Inc. Implementing Changes to Reduce Workplace Violence Hazards at its Locations

Corizon Health Inc., which provides medical, dental and mental-health services to inmates at correctional facilities nationwide, will implement changes to reduce workplace violence hazards for employees at its locations.

In August 2014, OSHA cited Corizon for failing to develop and implement an effective program to prevent workplace violence for its employees at Rikers Island, New York. As part of a settlement agreement with the U.S. Department of Labor, Corizon will adoptcomprehensive and specific abatement measures* at its facilities.

“While Corizon is taking corrective action at Rikers Island, it will expand that effort and change its practices at hundreds of locations to enhance safety for countless employees,” said Robert Kulick, OSHA’s regional administrator in New York.

In consultation with employees and unions, each location will develop a workplace violence prevention policy; an incident reporting system; enhanced record-keeping procedures; a workplace violence hazard assessment and prevention program; employee training. The settlement also requires Corizon to appoint a senior official to oversee compliance with the settlement agreement and the Occupational Safety and Health Act; allow OSHA to conduct inspections to monitor compliance; and seek greater coordination with local departments of correction or similar agencies that work with Corizon facilities. For more information, see the news release.

Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway Must Reinstate Conductor Retaliated Against for Reporting an Injury and Pay $536K in Damages

North America’s second-largest freight railroad, Burlington Northern Santa Fe LLC, must reinstate a train conductor and pay the worker $536,063 in back pay, damages and attorney’s fees. A federal investigation found the rail operator retaliated against its employee after the worker reported a knee injury that occurred on the job in 2010. The employee filed a Federal Railroad Safety Act anti-discrimination complaint with OSHA and company officials fired the worker in August 2011 despite knowing that the injury report was protected by law.

In addition to paying punitive and compensatory damages, OSHA ordered BNSF to rehire the employee and expunge his record of all charges and disciplinary action. The company must also conduct training for supervisors and managers on employee whistleblower rights and post a notice to employees of their whistleblower rights. For more information, read the news release.

Delaware Poultry Plant Fined Nearly $40K for Exposing Workers to Musculoskeletal Injuries, Other Serious Hazards Including Failing to Make Bathrooms Available to Employees

An OSHA inspection of a Delaware poultry plant found workers who cut chicken fat, bone and cartilage on production lines were exposed to numerous hazards and suffered musculoskeletal injuries as a result. Allen Harim Foods allowed workers to perform prolonged, repetitive and forceful tasks without controls in place to prevent injuries. The company was cited for nine serious violations including failing to: address musculoskeletal hazards, designate emergency exits* properly, make lavatories available to employees and provide training onmachinery that could unexpectedly start up during service and maintenance. Proposed penalties total $38,000. “Workers should not have to work in pain, especially when these injuries are preventable,” said Erin Patterson, director of OSHA’s Wilmington office. For more information, read the news release and citation*.

Oklahoma Drilling Company Cited for Safety Violations After Oil Rig Fire Kills 3 Workers

A drilling company with a history of OSHA citations was cited and placed in the agency’s Severe Violator Enforcement Program following an explosion that killed three men and injured two others in December 2014. The blast was likely caused by the use of an open-flame heater on the rig floor. The company had been cited for allowing the same hazardous condition on a rig less than two years later. “The company knew this was hazardous, but chose to ignore the hazard,” said David Bates, OSHA’s area director in Oklahoma City. The company received two willful, seven serious and one repeated OSHA violation, resulting in proposed penalties totaling $221,200. For more information, see the news release.

Massachusetts Temporary Staffing Company Agrees to Implement Changes to Protect Employees at All its Worksites

In a settlement with the U.S. Department of Labor, Marathon Staffing Services Inc. agreed to enhanced workplace safety and health protections for workers it places with other businesses. OSHA cited the Massachusetts staffing company in December 2014 for not providing hearing tests for its employees exposed to high noise levels. Under the agreement, Marathon will have a qualified safety and health professional review and update a checklist to address foreseeable safety and health concerns at client workplaces. Marathon will also provide comprehensive safety and health training for its account executives and sales representatives. “Other suppliers and employers of temporary workers can and should take heed and ensure that all employees – permanent, short-term or day laborer – work in an environment that enables them to come home each day safe and healthy,” said Michael Felsen, the department’s regional solicitor of labor for New England. For more information, read the news release.

Ohio-Based Canton Drop Forge Repeatedly Exposed its Workers to Amputation Hazards

OSHA initiated an investigation of Canton Drop Forge in response to a complaint alleging workers were exposed to machines lacking safety guards in the company’s Ohio die shop. Investigators cited the company for exposing workers to dangerous machinery by failing to install safety mechanisms. The company also lacked procedures to ensure equipment was turned off to prevent it from operating during service and maintenance. Proposed penalties totaled $77,000. Canton Drop Forge was cited for similar violations twice in both April and May of 2011. In April 2011, a worker was killed at the company when he was struck by a loader bucket at the facility. “Canton Drop Forge needs to make immediate improvements to its procedures to prevent workers from being exposed to dangerous machinery which can lead to amputations, cuts and other serious injuries,” said Howard Eberts, OSHA’s area director in Cleveland. For more information, read the news release.

Construction Firm and Automaker Cited After Worker Crushed to Death By 7,600-Pound Conveyor at Ford Auto Plant in Missouri

A company providing construction services at the Ford Motor Co. plant in Kansas City, Missouri, was cited by OSHA following the death of a worker who was crushed by a conveyor carriage weighing nearly 4 tons.. KCI Inc., which was rebuilding the assembly line at the plant, received one willful safety violation under OSHA’s general duty clause, with proposed penalties of $70,000. “This worker’s death was preventable and a tragic loss for his family,” said Barb Theriot, OSHA’s area director in Kansas City. “KCI and Ford have a responsibility to inspect assembly lines and ensure that workers moving large parts are protected from crushing and struck-by hazards.” In addition, Ford Motor Co. was cited for not inspecting the assembly line’s construction, and received proposed penalties of $7,000 For more information, see the news release.

For more information or assistance with your Environmental and Health & Safety regulatory compliance needs, contact Ralph Carito at Total Environmental & Safety, LLC (Total) at rcarito@TotalEnviron.com or 908-442-8599.