Manufacturing company facing $369,000 in fines for 26 health and safety violations

A manufacturing company is facing up to $369,000 in fines after being cited by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration with 26 health and safety violations. Workers at the company’s facility were exposed to machine guarding, lead and electrical hazards.

The health and safety violations

The violations include failing to:
- Train workers to recognize electrical hazards
- Identify fire extinguishers
- Provide machine guarding
- Store respirators correctly
- Provide appropriate PPE and require its use.

Nick Walters, OSHA's regional director in Chicago, said: "When an employer is cited for repeat violations, it shows a lack of commitment to protecting the safety and health of workers. OSHA will not tolerate such negligence."

Vocam health and safety training videos

Lockout / Tagout – Making it Safe
Workplace Environmental Awareness
Handling and Storage of Hazardous Substances

Safety-TV e-learning courses

Lockout / Tagout – E-learning
Hazard Communication Safety Essentials – E-learning

Available as part of TrainNOW.
For more information, contact us or visit our website.

Source: http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=NEWS_RELEASES&p_id=23724

Unsafe excavation work at construction site leads to fine

A construction company has been ordered to pay over £16,000 for unsafe excavation work at a construction site.

The facts

The excavation, made to connect a home to a sewer, went down three metres deep into totally unsupported soft clay. The company had failed to adequately plan the excavation and workers were put in danger by unsupported sidewalls that could have collapsed. A witness notified HSE and explained that they had seen someone climbing from the excavation, as well as tools and equipment at the bottom. Although the excavation did not collapse and there were no injuries, workers could have been killed if the clay sidewalls gave way.

Excavation safety

Every year, workers are seriously injured or killed while working in excavations. The risks in excavation work include:
- Being buried in a collapsed excavation
- Material falling into the excavation
- People or plant falling into the excavation

An employer's legal responsibilities

An employer must prevent danger to workers in or near excavations. A competent person should inspect all excavation supports at the commencement of the work shift and at other times. Work should not start until the excavation is safe.

Vocam confined space safety videos

Confined Space Safety Essentials
Construction: Managing Hazards and Risks
Hazardous Chemicals - GHS Classification & Communication
Atmosphere Testing Confined Space

Safety-TV E-learning courses

Confined Space Safety Essentials - e-Learning
Construction: Fundamentals for Safety - e-Learning
Hazardous Chemicals: GHS Classification and Communication- e-Learning
Atmosphere Testing Confined Space - e-Learning

Source: The Health and Safety Executive

OSHA inspection leads to fine for company that exposed workers to ammonia

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration cited a company that produces pasta with 12 safety violations following a complaint inspection alleging workers were exposed to ammonia. Proposed fines total $54,000.

Eight serious violations were cited for deficiencies in the company's ammonia refrigeration process. These included a lack of written standard operating procedures for the ammonia refrigeration process, no emergency action plan and failing to perform inspections and tests on process equipment.

Three additional serious violations involve failing to develop, implement and train employees in hazard communication, provide an emergency eyewash station and provide material data safety sheets for hazardous chemicals present in the workplace.

Vocam Training Video
Workplace Environmental
Hazard Communication Safety Essentials
Handling and Storage of Hazardous Substances

E-learning Courses
Hazard Communication Safety Essentials – E-learning
Available as part of TrainNOW. For more information, contact us or visit our website.

Source: http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=NEWS_RELEASES&p_id=23556

Employees exposed to potentially deadly bacteria

A trust has been fined for safety failings after employees were exposed to a potentially deadly strain of multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (TB) bacteria when a test vial smashed in a specialist laboratory.

The HSE identified the following issues with the management and maintenance of the containment facility:
• Inadequate risk assessments for activities involving TB
• Critical control measures weren't examined, monitored, tested or maintained
• Poor emergency arrangements in the event of an incident
• Those responsible for health and safety were lacking appropriate training

The test vial containing a strain of TB bacteria smashed when it fell to the floor. Three employees were present and a fourth risked exposure when she helped with the clean up operation.

No-one suffered any adverse effects, but The Trust should also have better implemented appropriate and adequate control measures, and ensured that staff were suitably trained. The Trust was fined £12,500 and ordered to pay £25,000 in costs.

Vocam Training Videos
Hazardous Chemicals - GHS Classification & Communication
Hazardous Substances Safety Essentials

E-learning Courses
Hazardous Chemicals: GHS Classification and Communication - E-Learning
Safety Awareness – E-Learning
Hazardous Substances Safety Essentials - E-Learning

Available as part of TrainNOW. For more information, contact us or visit our website.

Source: http://www.hse.gov.uk/press/2013/rnn-ldn-01013.htm

Manufacturer cited for failing to protect workers from exposure to hazardous materials

OSHA has cited a manufacturer with 6 serious safety violations for failing to protect workers from exposure to hazardous materials and provide adequate emergency response plans and training at the company's manufacturing plant. Proposed fines total $41,200.

"Manufacturers need to demonstrate a commitment to properly training and protecting workers from exposure to hazards," said Tom Bielema, OSHA's area director in Peoria.

3 of the violations involve failing to ensure workers used protective equipment when exposed to hazards capable of causing injury and impairment. These included a lack of hand, eye and face protection for workers exposed to liquid chemicals, acids or caustic liquids.

The remaining violations involve failing to include evacuation routes and procedures in the company's emergency response and contingency plan and to ensure workers engaged in emergency response involving inhalation hazards were provided with breathing apparatus for respiratory protection and trained on adequate emergency response.

Vocam Training Videos
Safety Awareness
Handling and Storage of Hazardous Substances

E-learning Courses
Safety Awareness– E-learning
Hazard Communication Safety Essentials – E-learning

Available as part of TrainNOW. For more information, contact us or visit our website.
Source: http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=NEWS_RELEASES&p_id=23538

Up to $650,000 fine faced by firm after a worker died in gas explosion

A business has been charged over a gas explosion that killed a 24-year-old tradesman.

The refrigeration mechanic was killed instantly when his work van exploded in the driveway of his home. He had pressurised flammable gas cylinders in his vehicle when the accident happened.

The Northern Territory Work Health Authority alleges the company was in breach of an employer's general statutory duty of care. The charge has been laid under provisions of the Workplace Health and Safety Act that was in force at the time of the accident.

The maximum penalty for the charge is $650,000.

Vocam Training Videos
Workplace Fire Prevention and Response
Fire Safety for Industry
Hazardous Chemicals: GHS Classification and Communication

E-learning Courses
Workplace Fire Prevention and Response – E-Learning
Hazardous Chemicals: GHS Classification and Communication - E-Learning

Available as part of TrainNOW. For more information, contact us or visit our website.

Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-01-15/gas-explosion-company-charged-paddy-bird-dies/4466112?section=nt

Worker suffers severe burns in workplace accident

A garage has been fined after a mechanic was badly burned while trying to cut the top off an empty oil drum.

The 26-year-old was using a propane torch to remove the lid when the remaining oil inside the drum set alight, causing an explosion. He suffered burns to his hands and arms, and was kept in hospital for five days.

The employees at the garage cut the tops off empty oil drums approximately once every three months so that they could be used to store scrap metal. However, the company failed to consider the risk of the propane torch creating and igniting a vapour from the small amount of oil remaining in the drums.

The company was fined £6,000 and ordered to pay £4,746 in prosecution costs.

Vocam Training Videos
Hazardous Chemicals - GHS Classification & Communication
Hazardous Substances Safety Essentials

E-learning Courses
Hazardous Chemicals: GHS Classification and Communication - E-Learning
Safety Awareness – E-Learning
Hazardous Substances Safety Essentials - E-Learning

Available as part of TrainNOW. For more information, contact us or visit our website.

Source: http://www.hse.gov.uk/press/2013/rnn-nw-kankkultd.htm?eban=rss-

Instrument company fined over worker's exposure to hazardous chemicals

An instrument company and a health and safety consultant have been fined for risking the health of employees from hazardous chemicals.

A 36-year-old paint sprayer suffered irritation to his eyes, breathing difficulties, headaches and lost the ability to concentrate after working with harmful substances.

His job was to prepare and paint small components for scientific instruments, which involved working with chemicals including trichloroethylene, a powerful de-greaser used to clean metal before it is painted, and paints containing isocyanates.

An investigation found that the company did not provide suitable equipment to adequately remove the hazardous fumes from the workplace, especially where items were left to dry. The company also failed to provide employees with the necessary health surveillance for workers using hazardous substances.

The company was fined £9,000 and ordered to pay full costs of £2,852 after pleading guilty.

Vocam Training Videos
Hazardous Chemicals - GHS Classification & Communication
Hazardous Substances Safety Essentials

E-learning Courses
Hazardous Chemicals: GHS Classification and Communication - E-Learning
Safety Awareness – E-Learning
Hazardous Substances Safety Essentials - E-Learning

Available as part of TrainNOW. For more information, contact us or visit our website.

Source: http://www.hse.gov.uk/press/2013/rnn-e-00313.htm?eban=rss-

Defence company ordered to pay £376,000 for safety failings that caused a fatal explosion

A defence company has been ordered to pay £376,000 for safety failings that caused a fatal explosion at its factory.

A 37-year-old worker was killed from injuries sustained in the blast. He was emptying industrial ovens that contained high levels of nitroglycerin (NG) that exploded, destroying the factory building.

The company had realized in 2004 that their process for curing pellets as part of the production of military flares produced the explosive chemical as a by-product. None of the company's management team were competent to deal with the issue, and they did not seek external assistance.

Their failure to properly assess and manage the risks put workers and the public in danger. A second explosion occurred in 2008 when the company attempted to dismantle the remaining NG contaminated oven.

HSE inspector Qamar Khan said: "Both explosions were foreseeable and preventable had the company sought and taken appropriate advice and implemented the correct measures."

Vocam Training Videos
Hazardous Chemicals - GHS Classification & Communication
Hazardous Substances Safety Essentials
Safety Awareness

E-learning Courses
Hazardous Chemicals: GHS Classification and Communication – E-Learning
Hazardous Substances Safety Essentials - E-Learning
Workplace Environmental Awareness - E-Learning
Safety Awareness – E-Learning

Available as part of TrainNOW. For more information, contact us or visit our website.

Source: http://www.hse.gov.uk/press/2012/rnn-se-20412.htm?eban=rss-

Aerospace company prosecuted after worker’s eyes burnt with caustic soda

An aerospace company has been fined for safety failings after a worker injured his eye whilst cleaning out a tank containing caustic soda.

The 39-year-old sustained a chemical burn to his eyelid and inside his tear duct after flicking sodium hydroxide crystals into his face. He required emergency treatment at hospital.

The employee was standing in a tank containing a solid crystalline material composed largely of sodium hydroxide. Whilst chipping away at the material, his protective mask misted up and as he took it off to clean the visor, some caustic crystals flicked onto his eye lid.

The worker was not only exposed to risks from working with a hazardous material, but could also have fallen into the storage tank. The company was fined £17,000 and ordered to pay £3,246 in costs.

Health and Safety Executive Inspector Vicky Fletcher commented: “The company failed to adequately assess the risks and failed to provide adequate control measures to ensure the job could be done safely.”

Vocam Training Videos
Hazardous Chemicals - GHS Classification & Communication
Hazardous Substances Safety Essentials
Safety Awareness

E-learning Courses
Hazardous Chemicals: GHS Classification and Communication – E-Learning
Hazardous Substances Safety Essentials - E-Learning
Workplace Environmental Awareness - E-Learning
Safety Awareness – E-Learning

Available as part of TrainNOW. For more information, contact us or visit our website.

Source: http://www.hse.gov.uk/press/2012/rnn-e-infliteengineering.htm?eban=rss-

Construction firm fined for endangering workers and the public

A construction firm has been prosecuted for endangering workers and the public with unsafe demolition work.

Local residents raised concerns that asbestos materials were being smashed up and littering the site, that debris was dropping from height onto the road and footpath; and that the site was insecure despite its close proximity to a local school.

The Health and Safety Executive investigation found that the company should have carried out an asbestos survey and produced a health and safety plan and a plan of demolition to ensure the buildings came down in a safe manner. Safe working platforms such as scaffolding could also have been used.

The construction company also employed inexperienced labourers to carry out demolition and asbestos removal, and did not give them sufficient instruction, training, or supervision. The company was fined £36,000 and ordered to pay £9159 in costs.

HSE Inspector Helen Donnelly said: "Construction projects need to be properly planned and safely managed by competent personnel using the right procedures and equipment. That clearly didn't happen here, and I hope lessons have been learned."

Vocam Training Videos
Construction: Fundamentals for Safety
Construction: Managing Hazards and Risks
Hazardous Chemicals - GHS Classification & Communication
Hazardous Substances Safety Essentials

E-learning Courses
Construction: Fundamentals for Safety – E-Learning
Hazardous Chemicals: GHS Classification and Communication - E-Learning
Safety Awareness – E-Learning
Hazardous Substances Safety Essentials - E-Learning

Available as part of TrainNOW. For more information, contact us or visit our website.

Source: http://www.hse.gov.uk/press/2012/rnn-ldn-19412.htm?eban=rss-