California’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) is investigating the March 3 death of a ski patrol member at the Squaw Valley USA ski resort who was performing avalanche control. The employee was working with a partner to set hand charges in snow masses to avoid larger avalanches, when the “snow broke loose and caught …
In COR’s March 6 Appeals Board Decisions section, the Hill Rebar, Inc. case, had a headnote that could give readers pause. One of the elements of the case involved “Penalties — Failure to Report Serious Violation.” Even the most conscientious employer is not required to report a serious violation. Rather, under Title 8, §342(a), employers …
Sam Iler, principal of SafeCon Consulting Group in San Diego, had this to say about the recent citations handed down by the Division of Occupational Safety and Health to Paramount Scaffolding for two alleged serious violations after an August 2008 incident in San Diego that injured 16 pedestrians, but no workers: “These citations should never …
Two new safety bulletins from the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration warn employers about the dangers of bypassing safety features on skid-steer loaders, and methods for safely installing, maintaining and inspecting electrical cable trays. Skid-steer loaders are manufactured with safety features designed to prevent unexpected or inadvertent movement of the loader arm and hydraulics …
What is the most hazardous industry in California? If you go by the days away from work/restricted duty/job transfer rate (DART), it is air transportation, with a DART rate of 8.2 per 100 workers. That’s why this employment sector was among 22 industries included in the draft 2009-2010 Highest Hazard Industry List just released by …
The march of Cal/OSHA citation cases in the California court system continues, with a number of appeals scheduled for hearings in coming months. On April 7, Orange County Superior Court is scheduled to hold a hearing on an appeal in Arthur J. Brewster, a case in which an administrative law judge dismissed serious violations and …
The Safety Forum of the Inland Empire holds its first annual safety symposium, April 21 at the Goldie Lewis Community Center in Rancho Cucamonga. Speakers include safety management consultant Bob Lapidus on “Expect the Best in People”; Michael Alvarez, Cal/OSHA Consultation Service’s interim program manager, on “Cal/OSHA Updates”; Rudy Lopez, safety manager for County Line …
Concerns from the regulated public and Standards Board members about incorporating a national consensus standard in a Cal/OSHA regulation has triggered a 15-day notice of proposed modifications to a proposal to beef up requirements on high-visibility apparel used for traffic control. Comments on the modifications are due to the Standards Board by March 25. The …