Cal/OSHA and employers have resolved three workplace fatality cases through settlement. Two of the cases are several years old and were concluded following the Bureau of Investigations’ weigh-in. In all three cases, the employers paid less than the proposed penalties. Arc Flash USS-Posco Industries, a Pittsburgh steel mill whose parent company is based in Pennsylvania, …
There are five new California workplace fatalities. Two are from falls and two others are from struck-bys. The fifth resulted from a crushing. In Fort Bragg, the owner of Makela Boat Works fell from a ladder and was found unresponsive. The owner was transported to medical facilities but died. The deceased is identified as Howard …
Using leading indicators to improve a company’s safety performance isn’t new. But its use is expanding, and many employers increasingly see its value. One safety manager for a large public agency tells Cal-OSHA Reporter, “At this point, we are still lagging indicator-heavy [but] we are looking to move toward leading indicators.” Other industries, such as …
The Cal/OSHA Standards Board has changed its proposal to adopt the six-foot fall protection trigger for residential construction, as mandated by Fed-OSHA. The new revision isn’t very significant—the elimination of a “non-enforceable” note on fall protection plans—but a remark in the Board’s response to comments could be good news. First, the revision: Construction Safety Orders …
Attorney Rachel Conn has represented various companies facing fines for alleged workplace violations. But she says she particularly enjoys helping clients avoid citations. “A lot of it is working with employers to review their safety programs and helping them with compliance,” she says about her work. “I think that’s a really fun part of it.” …
There were four new California workplace fatalities reported in March. In Vernon, an employee of EZ Shipping Express fell from a loading dock and later succumbed to the injuries. The death occurred in February, but the employer did not notify Cal/OSHA until late in March. The company has an EMR of 94 and workers’ comp …
The proposed indoor heat illness prevention standard approved last month by the Cal/OSHA Standards Board was filed with the state Office of Administrative Law (OAL) website on Tuesday, but it may be dead on arrival. Even if OAL approves the regulation, there are enough triable issues present to challenge and delay it, attorneys close to …
A new bill by Senator Dave Cortese would create a presumption that an agricultural employee alleging a heat-related injury or illness is work-related. More importantly, it would allow the applicant’s attorneys to allege in workers’ comp court that Cal/OSHA regulations were violated even if Cal/OSHA hasn’t cited the employer. The bill’s sponsors are the United …