Use common sense, says OSHA. In a letter of interpretation sent by federal OSHA in Washington to an employer asking about mandatory cold weather hand protection, the agency responded:

Gloves are often relied upon to prevent cuts, abrasions, burns, and skin contact with chemicals that are capable of causing local or systemic effects following dermal exposure.

OSHA has cited North Royalton-based DiGioia-Suburban Excavating for two willful safety violations after discovering that workers were allowed to ride inside an excavator bucket to access a trench at a Bowling Green job site on Nov. 17, 2011. 

OSHA has cited Home Depot Inc. for alleged repeat and serious violations of workplace safety standards at its store located at 3043 state Route 50 in Saratoga Springs.

A 6-year-old Alabama child received severe burns after coming into contact with a transformer in a public sports complex late last month. With the end of the school year rapidly approaching leaving children with more time to play outdoors and summer recreational activities in full swing, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) are joining forces to warn the public about outdoor electrical dangers that can pose as safety threats to children.

In an indication that trenching hazards remain a widespread problem, OSHA recently cited a Wisconsin pump service, Rhode Island contractor and Ohio excavation company for exposing workers to trenching hazards.

 OSHA and the Laser Institute of America (LIA) have renewed an alliance designed to reduce and prevent worker exposure to laser beam and non-beam hazards in industrial, research and medical workplaces.

A New England supermarket chain’s opposition to OSHA citations led to additional legal action and ultimately, a settlement that goes considerably beyond correcting the company’s safety hazards.

OSHA has cited Bazzini Holdings LLC with 15 workplace safety and health violations following an incident in which a worker's arm was amputated at the company's Allentown facility.

In the aftermath of a fire at a New Hampshire wood pellet manufacturing plant on Oct. 20, 2011, OSHA has cited New England Wood Pellet LLC for alleged repeat and serious violations of workplace safety standards.