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Safety/Health

OSHA fine upheld for out-of-service machinery

08/27/2018
The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals has upheld an Occupational Safety and Health Administration citation against an employer for leaving an unsafe piece of equipment “available for use” even though it was not technically “in use.”

No class-action status for NHL players’ injury lawsuit

08/08/2018
A group of former National Hockey League players has lost their bid to file a class-action lawsuit against the league because each of their circumstances were too different to meet federal class-action rules.

Regular safety complaints could spell legal trouble

08/01/2018
Be careful if a worker files a steady stream of safety complaints. If those complaints are followed by an accident or incident and the worker is disciplined for something seemingly unrelated, he may still be able to make a whistleblower complaint.

Central Valley, Calif. firms pay in wake of migrant worker deaths

07/30/2018
The U.S. Department of Labor has secured judgments against two Fresno-area firms that violated the Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act by providing unsafe transportation to migrant workers.

Fines for fatal fire at Orange County, N.Y. cosmetics maker

07/13/2018
OSHA has issued fines in the wake of its investigation into a massive fire in November 2017 that killed an employee at Verla International’s factory in New Windsor, N.Y.

OSHA inspectors beat a path to Bensalem, Pa. construction firm

07/10/2018
Strong Contractors in Bensalem, Pa. has become the go-to destination for OSHA inspectors. Since March 2017, they have descended on Strong worksites 14 times.

Public-policy exception means at-will status doesn’t always apply

07/10/2018
A federal court interpreting Pennsylvania law has concluded that firing a worker for calling in a complaint to OSHA provides protection under the public-policy exception.

Protect workers from summer heat hazards

07/05/2018
Summer has arrived with a vengeance over much of the United States, with high temperatures in the 90s for days at a time. That means employees who work outdoors or in spaces without air conditioning are at high risk for heat illness.

OSHA ain’t just blowing smoke on whistleblowing

06/26/2018
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has ordered Chino, California-based Mr. Good Vape to reinstate a manager who reported alleged violations of federal safety laws in its production process.

CalOSHA ergonomic regs for hotel staff take effect July 1

06/26/2018
Revised musculoskeletal injury prevention regulations for hotel housekeepers take effect July 1. Affected employers have until Oct. 1 to develop musculoskeletal injury protection plans, or MIPPs.