Below is a quick selection of some notable safety-related news headlines for the month of March 2019:
OSHA Enforcement Trending Downward, Advocacy Group Claims; DOL Says Inspection Totals Up (Safety+Health)
OSHA enforcement activity “continues to decline” under the Trump administration, according to the National Employment Law Project, citing the agency’s own metrics. The advocacy group also claims that OSHA’s fatality/catastrophe investigations climbed to their highest level in a decade in fiscal year 2018.
Litigation Over OSHA Electronic Records Rule can Proceed (Business Insurance)
A stay issued in a lawsuit filed by employer groups against the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s controversial electronic record-keeping rule has been lifted, allowing the litigation to proceed.
Tesla Had 3 Times as Many OSHA Violations as the 10 Largest US Plants Combined (The Drive)
While the number of active workers may be more than any other manufacturer who produces cars in the US, Tesla has seemingly also discovered that more employees mean more risk to injury that needs to be stymied.
OSHA Requests Information for Use of Powered Industrial Trucks in Maritime, Construction and General Industry (The National Law Review)
OSHA is considering revising current standards regarding powered industrial trucks and this information will assist the agency in determining what actions, if any, it will take in revising these standards.
Trenching Safety: OSHA Training Institute Produces Free Video (Safety+Health)
The one-hour video addresses best practices, cave-in protection, resources and other hazards workers encounter in trenching.
OSHA Drone Inspections: What You Need to Know (Safety.BLR.com)
Last year, OSHA authorized its regional offices to use unmanned aircraft systems (UAS or “drones”) during workplace inspections. However, OSHA is not surreptitiously flying drones over America’s workplaces.
New App Promotes Workplace Safety (OH&S)
The app promotes ISSA's "7 golden rules — for zero accidents and healthy work." It is quick and easy to use and shows the workplace safety and health status of an organization, according to the agency.