OSHA Insider

Essential Updates

August 2024 Edition

Welcome to Our Latest Safety Insights Newsletter

Hello Safety Advocates,

In this edition of our newsletter, we delve into recent incidents that underscore the critical importance of maintaining stringent safety protocols across various work environments. Each story highlights different aspects of workplace safety failures and the severe consequences that can arise from neglecting regulatory compliance and safety measures.

1. Critical Safety Violations Involving Children at Pennsylvania Roofing Site: We begin with a disconcerting report from Pennsylvania, where a roofing contractor flagrantly disregarded safety standards by allowing his young children to work in extremely dangerous conditions, exposing them to potential deadly falls.

2. Fatal Rigging Failure Underlines Crucial Safety Lapses at Alabama Site: Next, we turn our attention to Alabama, where a tragic incident involving faulty rigging equipment led to the death of a worker. This case illustrates the fatal repercussions of ignoring critical load-bearing regulations and safety checks in industrial operations.

3. Severe Safety Oversight at Ink & Coatings Manufacturer Leads to Employee Injury: Lastly, we examine a serious safety oversight at a global ink and coatings manufacturer that resulted in a flash fire, severely injuring an employee. This incident highlights the dangers of inadequate process safety management and the need for comprehensive training on handling hazardous materials.

Through these stories, we aim to emphasize the non-negotiable need for rigorous safety enforcement and the proactive education of all employees about potential hazards in their workplaces. These examples serve as crucial lessons in the importance of upholding safety standards to protect workers from preventable injuries and fatalities.

Stay safe and proactive,

Dale

Critical Safety Violations Involving Children at Pennsylvania Roofing Site

In a deeply troubling case that underscores the imperative of adhering to safety regulations, a roofing company based in Liverpool, Pennsylvania, has been cited for egregious safety violations. The U.S. Department of Labor's investigation revealed that the owner willfully exposed his own children, aged 12 and 14, to extremely dangerous conditions while they worked on a roofing project at a Mechanicsburg apartment complex.

Details of the Investigation and Violations

The investigation, prompted by a notification from the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry, found that not only were the children working on roofs, a task fraught with high risks, but they were also using potentially hazardous equipment such as an improperly set extension ladder and pneumatic nail guns. This situation highlights a grave disregard for safety and a violation of federal regulations that expressly prohibit minors from engaging in such high-risk activities.

OSHA's findings led to the issuance of five safety violations against the company, with two classified as willful due to the deliberate nature of the infractions. The proposed penalties for these violations amount to $64,759, a figure determined by federal statute intended to reflect the severity and willfulness of the breach.

A History of Non-compliance

This is not the first instance of non-compliance. The roofing company is currently entangled in litigation with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania over similar violations noted in 2023. Additionally, OSHA had previously cited the company in 2015 for failing to use fall protection systems, highlighting a pattern of disregard for mandatory safety measures.

The Broader Context

Falls from heights remain the leading cause of death in the construction industry, with the Bureau of Labor Statistics reporting 395 fall-related fatalities out of 1,069 total on-the-job deaths in the construction sector in 2022. This statistic is a stark reminder of the critical need for rigorous adherence to safety protocols to protect workers from preventable injuries and deaths.

Educational Resources and Next Steps

For those seeking guidance on fall prevention, OSHA offers a wealth of resources on its “Stop Falls” PSA campaign page, including safety information and instructional videos in both English and Spanish. These resources are designed to educate workers and employers alike on the importance of implementing proper safety procedures.

As we reflect on this case, let us reaffirm our commitment to ensuring that all workplaces, especially those involving high-risk activities like roofing, adhere strictly to safety regulations. It is imperative that we protect our workers, no matter their age, from unnecessary risks that can lead to serious injuries or worse.

Fatal Rigging Failure Underlines Crucial Safety Lapses at Alabama Site

A grave incident at a job site near Tuscaloosa, Alabama, serves as a somber reminder of the essential safety protocols necessary when handling heavy loads. An industrial concrete construction contractor, has been cited for multiple safety violations following the tragic death of a 65-year-old worker who was fatally struck by a four-ton shipping container.

Incident Overview and Investigation Findings

The accident occurred when the worker was guiding a large shipping container weighing 8,575 pounds into place. Tragically, one of the chains used in the lifting process snapped, causing the container to fall and strike the worker, resulting in fatal injuries. A subsequent investigation by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) revealed several critical safety failures that contributed to the incident.

Violations and Safety Oversights

OSHA's investigation determined that the contractors did not comply with several federal safety regulations, including:

• Failing to ensure that rigging equipment was adequately rated to handle the weight of the container.

• Allowing an employee to work near or beneath a moving load.

• Using steel chain slings and a four-way chain lift that lacked proper identification plates or load ratings.

• Neglecting to perform periodic inspections of the rigging slings.

• Not providing necessary fall protection for workers while they connected rigging equipment to an overhead crane at significant heights.

OSHA's Call to Action

An OSHA Area Office Director in Birmingham, emphasized the company's failure to fulfill its legal obligations to maintain a safe work environment. He pointed out that the standards and regulations are designed specifically to prevent such devastating accidents. He also urged employers to proactively engage with OSHA to better understand their safety obligations and to utilize the resources available to ensure workplace safety.

The Importance of Compliance and Vigilance

This incident highlights the critical importance of adhering to safety standards, especially in industries involving the handling of heavy and potentially hazardous loads. It is a stark reminder that safety complacency can have fatal consequences and that rigorous adherence to safety protocols is non-negotiable.

As we reflect on this tragic event, let us renew our commitment to upholding the highest safety standards in our workplaces. Ensuring that all safety equipment is properly rated, conducting regular inspections, and providing necessary training are fundamental to protecting workers from harm.

Severe Safety Oversight Ink & Coatings Manufacturer Leads to Employee Injury

In a concerning development at the Lisbon facility of a global ink and coatings manufacturer, a flash fire incident has highlighted significant lapses in safety protocols. This incident, which resulted in an employee sustaining first-and second-degree burns, could have been prevented with proper adherence to safety regulations.

Incident Details and Investigation Outcomes

The incident occurred in January 2024 when a flash fire erupted as an employee manually added combustible powder ingredients to an industrial mixing vessel containing flammable liquids and vapors. The flames that exited the vessel’s charging port caused serious burn injuries to the employee involved. An investigation by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) at the facility pinpointed critical failures in following the required process safety management procedures for handling hazardous chemicals.

Violations and Penalties

OSHA’s investigation led to the identification of 12 serious violations concerning the Process Safety Management of highly hazardous chemicals. These included failures in providing necessary training on handling flammable liquids and combustible dust, as well as exposing workers to fall hazards. Originally, the proposed penalties amounted to $183,207, reflecting the severity and number of safety oversights.

Following an informal conference with OSHA’s area director, the manufacturer agreed to correct the identified violations and settled the penalties at $110,000. This resolution underscores the company’s acknowledgment of the lapses and its commitment to safeguarding its employees.

A Call for Enhanced Safety Measures

The OSHA Area Director in Milwaukee, emphasized that the painful injuries suffered by the worker were entirely avoidable. He remarked, “This company has been in business far too long to expose employees to hazards that can be reduced by using proper procedures and training employees to ensure safe working conditions for all.”

This incident serves as a crucial reminder of the importance of strict compliance with safety standards, especially when dealing with highly hazardous materials. It is imperative for companies, particularly those operating in high-risk industries, to rigorously implement safety measures to prevent such dangerous incidents.

As we reflect on this event, let it reinforce our commitment to maintaining and enhancing safety protocols in our workplaces. Ensuring that every employee returns home safely at the end of the day must remain a top priority for all employers.

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About the Author

Hey Everyone,

As we conclude this edition of our newsletter, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to each of you for joining us on this journey of safety enlightenment. The stories we've shared, from the tragic to the triumphant, remind us of the critical importance of our collective commitment to workplace safety.

These cases serve as a sobering reminder of the real-world consequences when safety protocols are overlooked. It underscores the necessity for each of us to not only advocate for stringent safety measures but to actively implement them in our daily operations.

As your partner in safety, I'm inspired by our shared dedication to creating safer work environments. Let the insights from this edition motivate us to review, refine, and reinforce our safety practices. Remember, the strength of our safety programs lies not just in compliance but in our unwavering commitment to protect every worker who trusts us with their well-being.

Looking ahead, we promise to continue bringing you the most relevant, informative, and actionable safety insights. Your feedback, stories, and engagement fuel our mission, and together, we can forge a future where workplace accidents are a rarity, not an expectation.

Until our next edition, stay safe, stay informed, and never underestimate the impact of your role in safeguarding the health and safety of our workplaces.

Warmest regards,

Dale