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October 2024
nate wilkerson
October 02, 2024
OSHA Insider
Essential Updates
October 2024 Edition
Welcome to Our October 2024 Safety Spotlight
Hello Safety Advocates,
In this edition, we focus on a variety of critical safety issues that have recently come to light across different regions and industries. Each story underscores the importance of robust safety protocols and proactive hazard management to prevent accidents and health issues in the workplace. These incidents serve as crucial reminders of the potential dangers workers face and the ongoing need for vigilance and adherence to safety standards.
OSHA Urges Safety Awareness for Recovery Efforts After Hurricane Helene: In the wake of Hurricane Helene, OSHA is emphasizing the need for heightened safety awareness among emergency and recovery crews, as well as residents in the affected areas of Florida, Georgia, Alabama, and the Carolinas. The potential hazards include flooding, structural damage, and the challenges of debris removal and utility restoration.
Severe Safety Failures Result in Worker's Amputation at Copper Plant in Texas: A serious workplace incident at Hailiang Copper Texas Inc. resulted in a worker suffering a partial arm amputation due to inadequate machine guarding and safety measures. This tragic event highlights the critical need for comprehensive safety systems and proper equipment maintenance to protect employees from severe injuries.
Explosion and Respiratory Hazards Found at Wisconsin Animal Food Plant: Strauss Feeds LLC faced significant fines after OSHA found the company exposed workers to explosion and long-term respiratory hazards from excessive airborne dust. This situation illustrates the dangers of poor housekeeping and the lack of effective dust control and respiratory protection programs in manufacturing environments.
Through these narratives, our goal is to reinforce the importance of safety in preventing injuries and safeguarding health, particularly in environments with high-risk factors. Let's dive into the details of these cases to extract valuable lessons that can help improve safety practices across all sectors.
Stay safe and informed,
Dale
In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, which has significantly impacted Florida, Georgia, Alabama, and the Carolinas, the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is emphasizing the critical importance of safety for emergency and recovery response teams, as well as residents in the affected areas.
Key Hazards and Safety Recommendations
As communities begin the daunting task of recovery and rebuilding, OSHA highlights several potential hazards that can arise from such a natural disaster. These include risks associated with flooding, power loss, structural damage, and the clearing of fallen trees and storm debris. Recovery efforts often entail restoring essential services such as electricity and communications, roof repairs, and extensive debris removal, which can expose workers and volunteers to increased risk of injury.
To mitigate these risks, OSHA advises the following protective measures:
Thorough evaluation of work areas for potential hazards.
Assessment of the stability of structures and walking surfaces before beginning work.
Use of fall protection equipment when working from heights.
Assumption that all power lines are live and dangerous.
Proper operation of equipment such as chainsaws, portable generators, and ladders.
Consistent use of personal protective equipment (PPE), including gloves, hard hats, and protection for hearing, feet, and eyes.
Resources and Support
OSHA provides extensive resources through its hurricane preparedness and response website, which offers detailed safety tips to help employers and workers handle the aftermath safely and effectively. Additionally, an alert on keeping workers safe during flood cleanup is available to guide those involved in these critical activities.
The OSHA Regional Administrator of Atlanta, stresses the importance of preparedness: “As our region seeks to restore our communities after a weather emergency like Hurricane Helene, it is important to remember the wide range of hazards storm recovery presents, particularly for emergency responders and recovery workers,” he explained. “The risk of injuries and fatalities during cleanup can be reduced with knowledge, safe work practices and using proper personal protective equipment."
For those involved in response and recovery efforts and in need of guidance, OSHA’s toll-free hotline at 800-321-OSHA (6742) is available for assistance.
As we rally to support the recovery efforts, let's prioritize safety to protect not only ourselves but also those working tirelessly to restore our communities.
In a sobering reminder of the critical importance of workplace safety, a copper plant in Texas, a major player in the copper alloy product manufacturing sector, has been cited for multiple serious safety and health violations following an incident that tragically resulted in a worker's partial arm amputation.
Details of the Incident and OSHA Investigation
The unfortunate incident occurred in March 2024 at the company's facility in Sealy, Texas, where a worker's hand became caught between a conveyor belt and a rack holding one-ton copper coils while attempting to clear debris. This grievous injury led to the amputation of part of the employee's arm, highlighting severe safety oversights by the employer.
The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) conducted an investigation, which revealed that the plant operator had failed to install the necessary machine guards or locking devices. This negligence exposed workers to hazardous interactions with moving machine parts, a known and preventable risk.
Citations and Penalties
As a result of the investigation, OSHA issued citations for 24 serious safety and health violations, with proposed penalties totaling $253,750. The violations encompassed a failure to develop energy control procedures, inadequate marking of tags or slings on cranes, lack of a written hazard communications program, failure to provide necessary respirators, and exposing workers to potential indoor heat illness hazards while wearing thermal-resistant suits.
The OSHA Area Director of Austin, Texas, stressed the frequency of insufficient machine guarding in the manufacturing industry and the severe injuries that can result. She highlighted the need for employers to implement proper energy control procedures and ensure that machines are equipped with adequate safety guards. Camacho also emphasized the importance of addressing language barriers to ensure that safety communications and training are accessible and effective for all employees.
Company Background and Response Opportunity
The company is part of a Chinese holding company, one of the largest producers of copper and copper alloy products worldwide, employing over 20,000 workers across 80 enterprises, including the Sealy facility.
The company has 15 business days from the receipt of the citations and penalties to either comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.
Safety as a Priority
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the dire consequences of neglecting safety standards in the workplace. It underscores the necessity for stringent safety measures and continuous vigilance to protect workers from harm. As we reflect on this case, let it reinforce our commitment to upholding the highest safety protocols to prevent such tragic outcomes.
In a concerning development, an animal food plant in Watertown, Wisconsin, has been cited for a series of safety and health violations that exposed its employees to serious risks, including explosions, fires, and long-term respiratory illnesses from airborne dust. The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) conducted an inspection following complaints about unsafe working conditions, uncovering significant lapses in safety protocols at the plant.
Inspection Findings and Violations
The inspection, which took place in February 2024, revealed that poor housekeeping practices, failure to evaluate spaces for dust hazards, and the lack of engineering controls contributed to creating an environment ripe for combustible dust hazards. Moreover, the company failed to implement a comprehensive respiratory protection program, which should include medical evaluations, fit-testing, regular monitoring, and adequate training for workers on recognizing and handling dust hazards.
The OSHA Area Director of Madison, Wisconsin, emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, “Unsafe levels of airborne dust can ignite suddenly, causing explosions and fires that jeopardize the safety of workers. Left unchecked, these same dust hazards can cause workers long-term health issues.” He highlighted the necessity for companies that generate excessive dust to employ effective engineering systems and respiratory protection programs to safeguard employee health and safety.
Additional Safety Concerns
In addition to dust-related hazards, OSHA inspectors identified risks involving walking and working surfaces, falls, confined spaces, and the operation of industrial trucks and forklifts in areas where combustible dust hazards were present. These conditions further compounded the risks of fire and explosion at the facility.
Citations and Penalties
As a result of these findings, the plant was cited for 19 serious and five other-than-serious safety and health violations. The proposed penalties for these violations total $161,332, reflecting the severity and breadth of the safety issues identified.
Company Background
This plant has a long history dating back to 1875 when it started as a small mill in North Manchester, Indiana. Today, the company produces milk replacer for calves and other young animals and remains under family ownership, now in its sixth generation.
The Path Forward
This case serves as a critical reminder of the importance of rigorous safety practices and the need for continuous oversight and improvement of workplace safety measures. It underscores the need for all employers, especially those in industries prone to dust-related hazards, to remain vigilant and proactive in protecting their workers from potentially life-threatening conditions.
About the Author
Dale, your OSHA Expert
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