Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) News

OSHA Inspectors to Prioritize Health Facilities Over Other Sites During Coronavirus Crisis

The U.S. agency that enforces workplace safety laws has said it will prioritize work site inspections of healthcare facilities over other “essential” businesses that remain open during the coronavirus outbreak. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) said in guidance …

Workers at High Risk for Coronavirus Exposure and How to Protect Them

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), which is responsible for workplace safety regulations, certain workers are at higher risk than others for exposure to the coronavirus and the disease COVID-19. Nurses, doctors, lab and morgue workers are …

How Shaming Works to Improve Workplace Safety: Viewpoint

Can a press release save lives? No doubt about it. At least if it comes from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, and it publicizes a serious violation of the occupational safety and health laws. The tale begins in 2009, …

How Tesla Severance Agreement Addresses Worker Safety Complaints

Language in a confidential severance agreement Tesla Inc. is using as part of the biggest job cut in its history is likely to deter dismissed employees from going public with worker safety concerns, according to employment-law experts. A proposed severance …

Amazon, Lowe’s, Tesla Make ‘Dirty Dozen’ Unsafe Workplace List

Amazon, Lowe’s and Tesla are among the firms on a list of employers with unsafe workplaces published by a federation of labor, health and safety groups. The National Council for Occupational Safety and Health (National COSH) released its annual “The …

Fired OSHA Whistleblower Claims Investigator Turns Whistleblower

A fired U.S. whistleblower investigator says his old employer didn’t take whistleblowers seriously enough. So he’s lodging a complaint — with the same ex-employer he claims doesn’t take whistleblower allegations seriously enough. Darrell Whitman was an investigator for the Labor …

2 Killed in Explosion at West Virginia Industrial Plant

An explosion at a West Virginia industrial plant has killed two people and injured a third. Officials say the explosion was reported last week at Midland Resource Recovery, a company based in Ontario, Canada, that odorizes natural gas. The U.S. …

Illinois Roofing Contractor Barringer Fined Again for Fall Hazards

An Illinois roofing contractor has once again been cited and fined by federal safety officials for exposing workers to fall hazards. Proposed Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) penalties total $214,782. Robert Barringer III, operating as Barringer Brothers Roofing, has …

OSHA Cites West Virginia Saw Mill for Safety, Health Violations

Federal regulators have cited a Princeton saw mill for alleged workplace safety and health violations, including a lack of protective equipment worn during the operation of a chainsaw. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration says in a news release that …