In court, OSHA stated that SeaWorld’s attempts to protect killer whale trainers are still inadequate. SeaWorld responded that it is in compliance with OSHA’s requirement that trainers remain behind barriers or stay a safe distance away during the Shamu shows.
OSHA fines Ohio Company $258,000 for 51 health and safety violations
Twenty-three serious violations relating to safety management include: failing to correct deficiencies found in compliance audits, failing to have operating procedures address consequences of deviation from operating limits, and not following generally accepted good engineering practices for inspection and testing procedures.
OSHA Cites American Recycling & Manufacturing for 18 Violations
The OSHA area director stated, “This is exactly the type of incident and injury that machine guarding is designed to prevent. Had the foot pedal been properly guarded, this injury would not have occurred. Compounding this hazard is the fact that the employer was aware and did not correct it.”
OSHA Fines Hanover Contractor for Violations
An employee was working in December when he fell over twenty feet into the turbine; multiple rescue agencies worked to get him to the ground and to the hospital. This employee’s injuries caused the OSHA investigation.
OSHA Proposes Fines after Natural Gas Explosion
M.L. Albright and Sons’ owner stated that the company took numerous steps to determine the depth of the natural gas line. He also stated that workers dug holes twenty to thirty feet apart and believed that the pipe ran in a straight line between them. Unfortunately, the pipe had a spot where it was not buried as deeply because it was placed over other utilities.
Wal-Mart Cited for OSHA Violations
The OSHA area director stated, “The best way to control and prevent amputations caused by stationary machinery is machine safeguarding. This employer had been previously cited for this specific piece of equipment and failed to ensure that corrective actions were taken and maintained.”
Xcel Agrees to Pay $150,000 Settlement
Xcel released a statement saying, “Immediately after the accident, we conducted an extensive review of our policies and practices and took action to prevent future accidents. We have now reached a fair and reasonable settlement with OSHA in which we have agreed to accept certain citations and to pay $150,000 in assessed penalties. We believe it is in the best interest of all parties involved to move forward and put this matter behind us. We are committed to continuous improvement in every area of our business, and there is nothing more important to us than the safety of our employees, contractors, and the general public.”
Niagara Falls Contractor Fined for Excavation Hazards
The OSHA area director stated, “An unprotected excavation can turn into a grave in seconds, crushing and burying workers beneath tons of soil before they have an opportunity to react or escape. These workers were fortunate–not lucky, because workplace safety must never be dependent on luck–that they were not injured or killed.”
NY Wood Shavings Manufacturer Faces Large Fine
The inspection revealed hazardous accumulations of explosive, combustible wood dust on structural supports, pipes, fixtures, ductwork, equipment and floors. The wood shavings were as deep as one foot in some areas and created a fall and slipping hazard.
Two Government Contractors Fined More Than $60,000
EEC, Inc. has been cited with sixteen serious violations with a total fine of $25,200. Some of EEC, Inc.’s serious violations include failing to: properly use a ladder and store highly flammable material, control flammable vapors, identify precautions during hot work operations, perform a hazard assessment to determine correct personal protective equipment, recognize hazards associated with working in confined spaces, ensure workplace safety during welding operations in a flammable atmosphere, and provide hazardous communication training and ensure the use of approved electrical equipment in a flammable atmosphere.