Compliance Safety Training

Company president, managers to pay $1.3 million for employing illegal aliens

A Texas baking materials company, specifically the company’s president and three former and current managers, was recently charged for employing illegal aliens. The charges against the company arose from a criminal investigation initiated by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in January 2008 after learning about allegations in a federal employment discrimination lawsuit, then pending in the Houston Division of the Southern District of Texas.

Part of ICE’s investigation into the company included interviews with civil plaintiffs, many of whom were illegal aliens, and thorough review and analysis of civil suit pleadings, I-9 Employer Review and Verification Forms, and Social Security Administration (SSA) No-Match letters. I-9 forms require an employer to establish an employee’s identity and verify their employment eligibility at the time they are hired.

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DOL publishes controversial chemical “risk assessment” proposal

Despite much media attention and pressure from Congress and other groups, the Department of Labor (DOL) recently published a proposed rule that outlines requirements for DOL agencies to follow when preparing risk assessments in conjunction with the development of health standards governing occupational exposure to toxic substances and hazardous chemicals. This proposed regulation compiles in one “easy-to reference” regulation, all of the Department’s existing best practices related to risk assessment, and includes two requirements to establish consistent procedures that promote greater public input and awareness of the Department’s health rulemakings.

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Idaho construction sites violate storm water requirements

Three operators at construction sites near Boise, Idaho, recently paid over $20,000 to settle two enforcement cases for Clean Water Act violations filed by EPA.

The violations were found at the sites during routine EPA inspections conducted to assess compliance with the nationwide storm water Construction General Permit (CGP). The permit requires operators of construction sites to plan for and implement storm water controls, to protect surface waters from common construction pollutants like sediment, oil and grease, and concrete washout.

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The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is announcing two public meetings regarding product tracing systems for fresh produce. The purpose of the meetings is to discuss mechanisms to enhance product tracing systems for fresh produce and to improve FDA’s ability to use that information to identify the source of contamination associated with fresh produce-related outbreaks of foodborne illness. The two meetings will be held as follows:Oct. 16, 2008 Read more…

CBP opens joint enrollment center in International Falls

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) recently announced the opening of another joint “Trusted Traveler” Enrollment Center. The center is located downtown in the former information center near the International Falls port of entry. The Enrollment Center (EC) is designed to make obtaining a NEXUS border-crossing card easy and convenient for nearby residents on both sides of the border. NEXUS is a joint CBP-Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) program for frequent travelers that both the American and Canadian governments have implemented to enhance border security while simplifying border crossings for pre-approved, low-risk travelers.

Approximately 225,000 U.S. and Canadian citizens/residents are currently enrolled in the NEXUS program nationally. NEXUS members can use dedicated lanes at selected ports along the U.S.-Canadian border. The dedicated “NEXUS lanes” allow travelers to cross the border with a minimum of customs and immigration questioning.

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REE KellerOnline® webcast …

Audits: Making Them Work for You
Date:    Thursday, October 23, 2008
Time:     1:00 p.m. Central Time (11:00 a.m. PT / 12:00 p.m. MT / 2:00 p.m. ET)
Length:  Approximately 1 hour

NOTE: Registration for this webcast will begin 30 days prior to the event.

Practical tips for conducting an audit, documenting findings, and ensuring effective system improvements. Presenters: Travis Rhoden - J. J. Keller Editor Travis Rhoden has been an editor with J. J. Keller and Associates for over 10 years. He specializes in the areas of safety management and auditing. Prior to joining J. J. Keller, Travis worked as a safety manager for a Midwest-based manufacturer of heavy-duty trucks and buses, where he conducted safety and environmental audits at several facilities. He holds a Master’s degree in Loss Prevention and Safety Administration from Eastern Kentucky University. Jennifer Stroschein - J. J. Keller Editor Jennifer Stroschein has been an editor with J.J. Keller and Associates, Inc., for 10 years. Through research and content development of guidance materials and products, she provides timely, accurate information that helps companies comply with a range of regulatory programs. In addition, attending seminars and programs allows her to remain focused on industry issues and concerns.

NIOSH issues Respiratory protection recommendations for crystalline silica exposure

A new document describes the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) policy for respiratory protection against airborne exposures to crystalline silica.

NIOSH recommends the use of half-facepiece particulate respirators with N95 or better filters for airborne exposures to crystalline silica at concentrations less than or equal to 0.5 mg/m3. OSHA also specifies the use of at least a 95-rated filter efficiency. The recommendation for a 95-rated filter efficiency reflects the improved filter efficiency of N95 filters over the earlier dust and mist (DM) filters. Read more…