Below is a quick selection of some notable safety-related news headlines for the month of April 2019:
OSHA, Partners Set for Sixth National Fall Prevention Safety Stand-Down (OHS Online)
The national safety stand-down encourages employers and employees to pause voluntarily during the workday to participate in safety demonstrations, hazard recognition and fall prevention training, and discussions about hazards, protective methods, and the company's safety policies, goals, and expectations.
Disney Fined $13,260 by OSHA for Late Reports on Worker Injuries (Orlando Sentinel)
“Nothing is more important than safety, and as part of our ongoing commitment we have reinforced the importance of timely reporting,” Disney spokeswoman Erica Ettori said.
OSHA Seeks Input on Whistleblower Laws (EHS Today)
A meeting scheduled for May 14, 2019 in Washington D.C. is aimed at improving OSHA's whistleblower customer service and public understanding of related laws. This is the third installment in a series of meetings the agency is hosting in order to gain public feedback.
Is OSHA Guidance Changing, and Creating, Rules? Inspector General Questions Agency's Methods (Safety and Health Magazine)
OSHA has not established adequate procedures for issuing guidance documents and often has not followed the procedures it created, according to a Department of Labor Office of Inspector General audit report released March 28.
Labor Secretary: OSHA Jobsite Inspections Likely to Increase (Construction Dive)
U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta told a House Appropriations subcommittee last week that as soon as a new crop of OSHA agents completes training, he expects job site inspections to increase.
OSHA Partners With Alvin H. Butz Inc. to Promote Workplace Safety at Manufacturing Facility Expansion (ManufacturingNews.Net)
The partnership seeks to educate workers about how to control or eliminate serious hazards, and establish effective safety and health programs during construction of a 310,000-square-foot building, and 10,295-square-foot maintenance building and parking lot.
Cal/OSHA to Hold Heat Awareness Conference Call (OH&S)
Cal/OSHA will host a Heat Illness Prevention Network conference call on April 16 to review best practices for preventing heat-related illnesses among outdoor workers in the state. The agency held a news conference and training sessions on April 12 to help employers plan for and prevent such illnesses or deaths, as summer's warmer weather approaches.