U.S. Department of Labor’s OSHA fines Voegele Mechanical Contractors in North Little Rock, Ark., $79,000 for trenching and excavation hazards

NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited a North Little Rock, Ark. facility, with proposed penalties totaling $79,000 for allegedly failing to protect employees from trenching hazards during the installation of a water pipe.

OSHA has alleged three willful and one serious violation following an investigation under the agency’s National Emphasis Program on excavation and trenching that began March 17 when an OSHA investigator observed employees working in a 7-foot-deep unprotected trench.

“The OSHA inspection revealed that the company did not take appropriate action to protect its employees from serious injury,” said Dean McDaniel, OSHA’s regional administrator in Dallas. “Employers must remain committed to keeping the workplace safe and healthful at all times.” Read the rest of this entry »

House committee passes extension of unemployment benefits

In response to the growing number of workers losing their jobs and the high number of long-term unemployed workers, the House Committee on Ways and Means passed bipartisan legislation to provide an immediate extension of unemployment benefits nationwide.

The Emergency Extended Unemployment Compensation Act would:

• Immediately provide up to 13 weeks of extended unemployment benefits in every state;
• Provide an additional 13 weeks (for a total of 26) in states with high unemployment (six percent or higher); and
• Be financed by the federal unemployment trust funds, which now have more than enough reserves to cover the cost.

If you have reviewed this product please comment below or select the comment count.
For more information please contact us- Thank you.

U.S. Department of Labor’s OSHA cites Marion, Ohio, company for workplace safety and health violations

MARION, Ohio — The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has proposed $169,200 in fines against a beryllium/copper foundry in Marion, for willful and serious violations of federal workplace safety and health regulations.

OSHA opened its inspection in October 2007 to determine if the company had corrected safety hazards found during a 2005 inspection as agreed. In addition, inspectors wanted to ensure that no other hazards existed as part of OSHA’s Toledo, Ohio, area office site-specific targeting program. The inspection found, among other concerns, that the company remained in violation of beryllium over-exposure. Specifically, OSHA has alleged three willful and 21 alleged serious violations of OSHA standards. Read the rest of this entry »

A disability discrimination lawsuit brought by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) alleged that a retail giant refused to hire an applicant who had cerebral palsy and used crutches or a wheelchair for mobility when he applied for employment. At the time, the retail giant was preparing to open a new 24-hour location and was conducting mass hiring.

The applicant applied for any available job, but during his interview he was questioned about his ability to work using his wheelchair and was told he was “best suited” for a greeter position. Ultimately, the company refused to hire him. The EEOC’s suit alleged that the company violated Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) when it refused to hire him. In a proposed consent decree, which will require court approval, the company agreed to pay $300,000 to the applicant, provide A Read the rest of this entry »

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released its annual report on the incidence of foodborne illness which indicates little change in the 2007 rates compared to recent years (2004-2006).Progress has been made in combating foodborne illness over the last 10 years, but much of that has been accomplished before 2004.

Illnesses associated with two Salmonella serotypes — Typhimurium and Heidelberg — decreased in 2007 compared to the recent period. The illness rates from E. coli O157:H7 were slightly down from 2006. Read the rest of this entry »

A final rule revises the Mine Safety and Health Administration’s (MSHA) Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) and addresses sealing abandoned areas in underground coal mines. The bulk of the final rule includes requirements for seal strength, design, construction, maintenance and repair of seals, and monitoring and control of atmospheres behind seals in order to reduce the risk of seal failure and the risk of explosions in abandoned areas of underground coal mines.

To view the final rule, click here. Read the rest of this entry »

Trade in Your Old VHS Safety Training Programs for New DVDs!

During the upcoming summer season, MARCOM will be offering a trade-in program for companies who have old VHS videotape safety training programs that they would like to replace with new, up-to-date DVD programs. For every VHS program that you return… from any producer… you can purchase the same topic on DVD at 50% off our suggested list price (plus shipping and handling).

This trade-in offer will run from June 1^st through September 15^th. So now is the perfect time to do some spring cleaning! Go through your library and get those old videotapes off your shelves…and update your training programs at the same time!

For more information please contact us- Thank you.