Blog Archives

Metro Rail Safety Audit Penalties Rise to $239,645

LOS ANGELES – A preliminary report on the Cal-OSHA/Fed-OSHA Metro Rail safety audit was provided to Cal-OSHA advisors at their September 1 meeting. It contained preliminary findings by seven different inspection teams divided into three specialties. Four compliance teams were responsible for inspection of all stations; two Mine & Tunnel teams were responsible for tunnel … Read More »

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OSHA Gives Good Marks to California Program

LOS ANGELES – In their 1993 assessment of the Cal-OSHA program Fed-OSHA auditors recognized strengths as well as weaknesses, singling out three emerging issues on which California is in the forefront nationally – ergonomics, violence in the workplace and tuberculosis. The Feds noted that, of 23 state OSHA plans, California’s is the largest and most … Read More »

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Carbon Monoxide, Not H2s, Caused Oil Workers’ Deaths

SAN FRANCISCO – The Ventura County Medical Examiner has announced that the three oil workers who died at work on August 10 had toxic levels of carbon monoxide in their blood. “At this time, there is no indication that hydrogen sulfide gas played a role in their deaths, but blood samples have been sent to … Read More »

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DOSH’s Role in Health Standards Development

SAN FRANCISCO – Under the tripartite Cal-OSHA system, the Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) is responsible for health standards development, but the members of the Cal-OSH Standards Board decide whether the proposals will be adopted, and the Appeals Board has the last word on whether DOSH citations based on those Title 8 CCR … Read More »

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Standards Board Worried About – Costs of Ergonomics Standard (Part 1)

SACRAMENTO – Not one member of the Cal-OSH Standards Board is satisfied with the language in the proposed ergonomics standard, and they told its drafters so at their August 25 business meeting. Although it was clear that the members have major problems with new 5110 (especially costs and workers’ comp), it was not clear what … Read More »

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Standards Board Worried About – Costs of Ergonomics Standard (Part 2)

SACRAMENTO – Berman said she was concerned about the standard creating “overnight ergonomists.” (That’s happening already, someone said.) She had seen how SB 198 with its IIPP requirements created instant experts whose prey was small employers. HELP WITH COMPLIANCE: Welsh said DOSH was interested in compiling guidelines for compliance, because 60 special orders tied to … Read More »

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Standards Board Gets Four Petitions

SACRAMENTO – In August, the Cal-OSH Standards Board received four petitions to adopt, amend or repeal regulations in Title 8, California Code of Regulations. Labor Code 142.2 gives the board six months in which to analyze a petition request and issue a written decision. TIRE INFLATION: Garrett Engineers, Inc., asked the board to amend General … Read More »

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Standards Board Reluctantly Adopts IIPP Modifications

SACRAMENTO – Five sets of proposed safety orders were adopted by the Cal-OSH Standards Board at its August 25 business meeting. They included two sets of elevator safety orders for inclusion in Title 8 (safety) and Title 24 (design) regulations; laboratory ventilation requirements in General Industry Article 107; GISO 4307(b) for portable power driven circular … Read More »

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