An employer notified of fire hazards in August of 2011 failed to take corrective action, says OSHA – resulting in injuries to two workers. The agency has cited Vann Energy Services LLC in Nixon, Texas with 13 safety and health violations – including two willful and three repeat – for exposing workers to flash fires and other hazards.

With the holiday season rapidly approaching, the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) is launching its annual holiday safety campaign to encourage families and communities across the country to Make Safety a Tradition.

After a follow up inspection to determine if Grede Wisconsin Subsidiaries LLC abated the hazards found during the first go-round, OSHA has cited the company for nine – including two repeat – safety violations at its Berlin iron foundry. These carry $56,320 in proposed penalties.

The Top 10 for FY 2012 are, in order from one to ten: Fall protection – general requirements; Hazard communication; Scaffolding

The Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum on Long Island – which hosts the home rink for the New York Islanders hockey team – has exposed its workers to asbestos, electrical and chemical hazards, according to OSHA.

A leading cause of home fires each year, electrical failures or malfunctions were factors in an estimated 46,500 home fires in 2010 according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). These fires resulted in 420 deaths, 1,520 injuries, and $1.5 billion in property damage.

A worker who was electrocuted after coming into contact with energized electrical parts while trying to restore power to a pumping station was not adequately trained on the hazards of electrical repairs and maintenance on or near energized equipment, according to OSHA, which has cited Halcon Resources Corp. for two willful and seven serious safety violations.

To provide assistance to employers in complying with OSHA's Subpart S Electrical Standards for General Industry electrical installation standard, the agency has developed the new "Subpart S eTool" (eTools are "stand-alone," interactive, Web-based training tools on occupational safety and health topics).

OSHA has cited Simtek Inc. for alleged repeat and serious violations of workplace safety standards as well as failing to correct eight hazardous conditions cited during a 2011 OSHA inspection that was prompted by a worker injury.