The employer of two workers killed in an accident in Lockport, New York June 25 has had three accidents causing injuries at its facilities in the last two years, according to news reports.

Loading and unloading on spotted trailers at the loading dock can be dangerous, especially when loads are heavy, uneven, or if the landing gear is faulty. When fork trucks load at the front of trailers, the trailer can become nose heavy and could tip.

In September 2013, OSHA issued a new rule that incorporated the latest versions of standards for safety signs and tags by the American National Standards Institute. This was the first update in 40 years for OSHA's workplace safety sign and tag formats. Following current best practices for safety signage designs in construction and general industries, employers must adopt the newer ANSI tag and sign formats over time.

Hazard alerting signs must be placed to alert and inform viewers from a safe viewing distance, according to ANSI Z535.2-2011, Sections 11 and 12. • They must be legible, and must not be a distraction or create a hazard themselves.

It’s mid-summer and a man’s fancy turns to what’s happening in OSHA these days. Let’s update you all before you (and I) head out on vacation:

An OSHA investigation launched after the drowning death of a dock worker has resulted in more than a quarter of a million dollars in proposed penalties against his employer.

A custom hardwood flooring manufacturer in Fulton, New York faces $182,917 in fines after an OSHA inspection.

The DPA Buying Group is pleased to welcome ten new distributor members to its safety products division: All American First Aid & Safety (San Diego, DA headquarters); Ben Lomond Industrial & Safety Solutions Ltd. (BLISS) (Williamsville, Trinidad); CAN Equipment Sales LLC (Harvey, LA headquarters); Ewing Safety and Industrial, Inc. (Morris, IL); Howard T. Moriarty Co., Inc. (Toledo, OH); LHR Services and Equipment, Inc. (Pearland, TX); MCI Corp. (dba Viewbrite Safety) (Pompano Beach, FL); Safety & Packaging Sales, LLC (Raleigh, NC); Safety ER (Altamonte Springs, FL); Share Corporation (Milwaukee, WI).

OSHA has cited Karrenbrock Excavating LLC for allowing two employees to work in an unprotected trench while installing sewers. The company faces proposed penalties of $189,221.

For Dysfunctional Practices: that kill your Safety Culture, Dr. Timothy Ludwig draws on his 30+ years of research and practice in behavioral approaches to safety to help managers re-shape their safety culture by driving out fear and risk and engaging their workforce.