OSHA issues compliance directive to address workplace violence

OSHA issued a new directive, Enforcement Procedures for Investigating or Inspecting Incidents of Workplace Violence, that establishes uniform procedures for OSHA field staff for responding to incidents and complaints of workplace violence and conducting inspections in industries considered vulnerable to workplace violence, such as healthcare and social service settings, and late-night retail establishments. Workplace violence is a serious recognized occupational hazard, ranking among the top four causes of death in workplaces during the past 15 years. More than 3,000 people died from workplace homicide between 2006 and 2010, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). BLS data also shows that more than 15,000 nonfatal workplace injury cases were reported annually during this time.

Adhesive company fined $917,000 after explosion injures workers

OSHA fined Bostik Inc. $917,000 for violating safety standards that led to a March 13 explosion at the company's Middleton, Mass., plant in which four workers were injured. Bostik was cited for 50 violations of workplace safety and health standards, including nine willful violations for serious deficiencies in the company's process safety management (PSM) program--a detailed set of requirements and procedures employers must follow to proactively address hazards associated with processes and equipment that involve large amounts of hazardous chemicals.

OSHA issued Bostik nine citations for willfully committing violations with disregard for the law's requirements, or with plain indifference to worker safety and health. These violations included failing to address previous incidents with a potential for catastrophic results, as well as human factors such as operator error, communication between shift changes and employee fatigue from excessive overtime. The agency also issued 41 citations for serious violations that the company knew or should have known had a substantial probability of resulting in serious physical harm or death to its workers. These violations included an incomplete and deficient emergency response plan, inadequate training for employees required to fight fires, obstructed exit access, electrical and respirator hazards, and additional PSM deficiencies. See the news release for more information.  

OSHA issues annual inspection plan for protecting workers in high-hazard workplaces

OSHA issued its annual inspection plan under the Site-Specific Targeting 2011* (SST-11) program to help the agency direct enforcement resources to high-hazard workplaces where the highest rates of injuries and illnesses occur. The SST program is OSHA's main programmed inspection plan for non-construction workplaces that have 20 or more workers. High-hazard workplaces identified in the SST program reported above-average work-related injury and illness rates, based on data collected from a 2010 OSHA Data Initiative survey of 80,000 larger establishments in selected high-hazard industries. Establishments are randomly selected for inspection from a primary list of 3,700 manufacturing, non-manufacturing, and nursing and personal care facilities. Two changes have been made to this year's SST program. In 2010, only those establishments in the selected industries with 40 or more employees were subject to inspections under the SST plan; this year, that number has been reduced to 20 or more. An evaluation study measuring the program's impact on future compliance with OSHA standards has also been introduced for the 2011 program. See the news release for more information.