What is the OSHA standard on walking-working surfaces for general industry (1910 Subpart D) and why is it important to the safety of workers?

Bilbao, Spain — When carcinogens are present in the workplace, “employers must do everything in their power to prevent workers from coming into contact with them,” the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work says.

Washington — OSHA has scheduled a public meeting for Nov. 15 in advance of the United Nations Sub-Committee of Experts on the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals.

Philadelphia — OSHA Region 3 has extended its Regional Emphasis Program focused on industries with high levels of workplace noise.

Washington — Chemical facilities that handle hazardous gases or cryogenic asphyxiants such as liquid nitrogen should maintain atmospheric monitoring and alarm systems and educate workers on hazards.

Washington — OSHA has updated its process safety management enforcement policy for the first time in 30 years.

Washington — Onshore oil and gas wells need appropriate well planning and control measures in place to “mitigate the potential for the ignition of flammable material,” the Chemical Safety Board says.

Washington — Protecting workers in the engineered stone industry from exposure to crystalline silica will be the topic of an OSHA webinar scheduled for March 14.

Washington — A new hazard alert from OSHA is aimed at increasing awareness and ensuring actions are being taken to reduce the “alarming number” of serious, preventable injuries in poultry, meat and other food processing establishments.

Washington — OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard (1910.1200) will now align with the seventh revision of the United Nations Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals.

Sacramento, CA — The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health recently launched a campaign to increase awareness of the dangers of silica dust in the engineered stone industry.

Washington — OSHA has scheduled a public meeting in advance of the 46th session of the United Nations Sub-Committee of Experts on the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals.

Washington — In light of reports of avian flu in dairy cattle and “a small number of workers exposed to infected animals,” OSHA has issued a hazard alert.

Washington — OSHA has expanded and updated its inspection guidance for animal processing and slaughtering.

Dallas — OSHA Region 6 has updated and renewed its Regional Emphasis Program focused on transportation tank cleaning operations.

Is OSHA coordinating with the National Labor Relations Board? House Republicans wants to know. Learn more about this story in this week’s OSHA Roundup.

What’s in President Obama’s final budget, and how is the philosophical fight over OSHA compliance assistance and enforcement faring? Find out in this week’s OSHA Roundup.

Improved cell phone data reception is the result of employees who work on new cell towers. But their lives are in danger. Learn what solutions were discussed by industry stakeholders during a recent workshop.

Are some models too thin to work safely in the fashion industry? California seems to think so. Find out what the state’s legislators have proposed.

OSHA is working on guidelines to help employers. Find out more about them in this week’s OSHA Roundup.

Congress questions whether OSHA is ignoring lawmakers in its enforcement stance on hazardous chemicals, and floats the idea of letting some violators of certain safety and health rules off the hook. Find out the details of these stories and more in this week’s OSHA Roundup.

Only two weeks after OSHA published its final rule on silica, industry groups are appealing to a court for a review of the new standard. Find out why in this week’s OSHA Roundup.

Should OSHA have a rule that addresses workplace violence in the health care industry? Some congressmen think so. Learn about this story and more in this week’s OSHA Roundup.

Salem, OR — Oregon OSHA is inviting all employers in the state to take part in its 16th annual “Safety Break for Oregon” to help raise awareness and promote “the value of keeping people safe and healthy” on the job.

Washington — OSHA’s maximum penalty for willful or repeat violations will be increasing approximately 3.2%.

US rapper Kanye West (Ye) made a surprise visit to Moscow to congratulate a friend of his, fashion designer Gosha Rubchinsky on his birthday. Rubchinsky heads West's Yeezy brand. The US musician walked around the capital, had black caviar at Beluga restaurant and took a ride with friends on a luxury yacht. The American rapper arrived at Vnukovo-3 airport on a private flight on Saturday, June 29. It was reported that the artist decided to visit Russia to celebrate his friend and business partner's birthday as Gosha Rubchinsky turned 40 on June 29. West's Russian fans created a number of groups on Telegram to exchange messages about the rapper's whereabouts in the Russian capital. A crowd of onlookers gathered near Four Seasons Hotel, where the musician allegedly stayed in the presidential suite.

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) should lead a collaborative effort with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and the states to establish and strengthen regional occupational safety and health surveillance programs, says a new report by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.

As part of the rulemaking process, the agency will seek and consider input from a ride range of stakeholders and the public at-large as it works to propose and finalize its rule.

One of the most common OSHA violations is respiratory protection. Let’s dive into why and what’s required to be compliant.

There have been some unsettling reports recently of large increases in the number of whistleblower complaints to OSHA related to COVID-19.

In November 2023, OSHA investigators opened a complaint inspection after they observed employees not wearing protective equipment during structural demolition of a former hospital in Illinois.

The rule updates the current standard by improving the amount and quality of information on labels and safety data sheets. Updates take effect on July 19, 2024.

The retailer has struggled for years to comply with OSHA safety regulations

The central theme of Safe + Sound Week is to promote the implementation and enhancement of safety and health programs in workplaces. 

Sportswear manufacturer failed to correct its fall hazard violations from 2021 OSHA inspection. 

OSHA encourages public participation in the rulemaking process.

Fall protection remains in the No. 1 spot. Incident data shows potential connection to top workplace compliance issues.

Agency says manufacturer could have prevented an electrician from suffering severe burns during an electrical arc blast if required safety standards were followed.

The following is a guide to the top 10 most violated standards of 2022 with quick tips and educational information on each standard. 

The OSHA standard on respiratory protection, general industry is one of the top 10 most frequently penalized OSHA standards for FY 2022.

The OSHA standard on control of hazardous energy (lockout/tagout) general industry is one of the top 10 most frequently penalized OSHA standards for FY 2022.

This new rule from OSHA paired with dangerously high summer temperatures mean that heat safety will continue to weigh heavily for some time to come.

The OSHA investigation determined that the Texas plant's operator failed to install required machine guards or locking devices, exposing workers to hazardous contact with moving machine parts.

The owner of a Liverpool, Pennsylvania roofing company risked the lives of two of his children by exposing them to falls from heights.

As OSHA continues to update its 2016 rule on recording and reporting workplace injuries and illnesses, organizations should be aware of new policies that affect how they treat – and reward – safety in the workplace.

The agency remains in a state of flux as of mid-October. Scott Mugno, the nominee to be OSHA’s top boss, still has not been confirmed. The chief of staff position is vacant. There are no senior advisors. One of two deputies is missing. Four regional administrators are in temporary “acting” roles. 

OSHA cited Cedar Fair LP – which operates as Cedar Point – for failing to protect workers from fall hazards after an employee suffered serious injuries at its Sandusky, Ohio, amusement park. The company faces proposed penalties of $142,270 for one willful and one serious safety violation, the maximum penalties allowed under the law.

Not only does OSHA have regulations for the forklifts themselves, they also have specific requirements for forklift operators. The Powered Industrial Truck Standard outlines the topics that must be included during training, as well as requirements for refresher trainings.

The OSHA standard on powered industrial trucks is one of the top 10 most frequently penalized OSHA standards for FY 2022.

Many of the OSHA cases that cite “willful” violations present mysteries. The mysteries are why the alleged violations were categorized as willful. These charges are not a mystery to OSHA, but they are mysteries to readers of citations. Since the penalty for a willful violation can be over $130,000, there should not be any mystery about such charges.