OSHA Enforcement Roundup: Week of 8/17

The OSHA Enforcement Roundup gives you insight into how and why OSHA assesses penalties for workplace safe & health noncompliance. 

All violations or claims discussed below are alleged only unless we say otherwise, and we withhold the names of organizations and individuals to protect their privacy.

Check out OSHA’s latest list of the 10 most-cited safety Standards here. Your OSHA Enforcement Roundup for this week:

A Maine hardwood pulp mill faces $794,456 in penalties for alleged willful and serious violations.

A federal investigation into gas release at a hardwood pulp mill found that the employer exposed workers to safety and health hazards that resulted in the death of two workers.

The mill received four willful citations for exposing workers to deadly hydrogen sulfide gas levels without proper alarms or breathing devices and allowing overflow wood pulp to build up in storage areas. The employer also received eight serious citations for:

• Lack of worker training on hydrogen peroxide risks.
• Failure to conduct medical evaluations and fit tests for respirator users.
• Neglecting to label chlorine and acid lines, or control hydrogen sulfide exposure risks.

A Florida roofing contractor faces penalties for alleged willful and repeat safety violations.

OSHA cited the employer and proposed $349,754 in penalties after investigators found it had allowed workers to use ladders with side rails that did not extend at least 36 inches above a roof landing, and failed to:

• Provide fall protection to workers.
• Prepare and maintain written fall protection training certificates.
• Ensure workers had eye protection while using nail guns.

A utility construction company faces citations and $343,797 in proposed penalties following an OSHA investigation.

OSHA cited the construction company for two repeat violations and one other-than-serious violation after an excavation collapse hospitalized a worker. The collapse occurred while crews were installing sewer and water pipes for a residential development.

OSHA determined that the employer failed to adequately protect the excavation, provide a safe means of egress, and report the hospitalization within 24 hours as required by federal law.

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Tags: osha, OSHA Enforcement Roundup