Blog Archives

Oil Group Takedown of Cal/OSHA’s PSM Proposal

The Western States Petroleum Association has issued a 49-page powerful takedown of Cal/OSHA’s proposed overhaul of its process safety management regulations.  WSPA says the changes would trigger “significant and burdensome operational requirements with little benefit in actually enhancing safety.” In some cases, the association says, the regulations could make refineries less safe. What’s more, the association … Read More »

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Ag Employer Cited in Worker’s Death Inside a Hay Compactor

Cal/OSHA has cited Hesperia’s SW Forage, Inc., in the February workplace fatality of an employee who was crushed while was attempting to clean a forage compactor. The agency says the employer failed to stop and de-energize the power source on the machine, or block out moveable parts on the compactor before allowing the worker to … Read More »

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Cal/OSHA Adopts Fed Silica Rules

A coalition of construction employers pleaded with the Cal/OSH Standards Board to delay the adoption of new rules protecting workers from silica, at least for their industry. At the least, they beseeched, postpone the implementation date even more than Fed-OSHA has already done. The board turned them down. There is plenty of time to work … Read More »

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Cal/OSHA Hits Zip Line Operator with Willful Violations – Bad Brakes

After a San Bernardino County zip line operator allegedly refused to shut down unsafe lines – even following serious injuries to two riders – Cal/OSHA has cited it for four alleged willful violations.  The citations against Wrightwood Canopy Tour, LLC, doing business as Big Pines Ziplines, appear to be the first issued against a zip … Read More »

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California Receives Fed-OSHA Grants

California non-profit organizations will get more than $1.6 million in Fed-OSHA Susan Harwood Training Grants in the coming fiscal year. California accounts for about 15% of the national total of $10.5 million. The 10 California organizations are among 77 receiving Harwood grants to provide employees and employers training on recognizing hazards, and avoiding/preventing them. The … Read More »

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Seven Workers Die on the Job

The latest California workplace fatalities include two deadly falls, two crushing incidents, and three possible natural causes deaths. Cal/OSHA is investigating them all. And each has a lesson from which we can learn. The falls included: A fatality to an employee of Tewinkle Middle School in Costa Mesa. The maintenance worker was on a six-foot … Read More »

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Bridge Over the River Smith Presents Unique Safety Challenges

Replacement of the almost-70-year-old George E.Tyron Bridge on South Fork Smith River Road in Del Norte County is an $11 million project begun in June 2015 and scheduled for completion in May 2017. The project is designed to replace the 141-foot concrete arch with a modern 231-foot concrete structure. The new bridge is being constructed … Read More »

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Inspections & Cites Increasing

Cal/OSHA inspections have reached the highest level in five years and violations cited are the highest since 2008, according to data released by the agency. Serious violations also reached the highest percentage since 2008. Cal/OSHA conducted more than 7,700 onsite inspections last year. About a third of them were in response to workplace accidents, followed … Read More »

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