Companies who repeatedly violate safety regulations should have a tougher time getting federal government contracts, under new guidance published by the U.S. Department of Labor.
Every year, thousands of workers across the United States are killed on the job — 4,679 in 2014 alone. Thousands more are seriously injured. Many of these deaths and injuries are entirely preventable when employers put in place basic safety measures. Some even result from company policies and practices that encourage and reward behavior that creates unacceptably risky conditions.
Suit seeks back wages, damages for violations of the OSH Act
March 8, 2016
The U.S. Department of Labor has filed a lawsuit against Lear Corp., doing business as Renosol Seating LLC, and three of its managers for suspending and terminating employees who reported workplace hazards in violation of the Occupational Safety and Health Act.
OSHA has produced a new video describing the workers’ rights to a safe workplace. Viewers of the video are directed to www.osha.gov/workers for more information. There’ll they’ll learn about:
The National Council for Occupational Safety and Health (National COSH) has filed a petition before the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission (OSHRC), calling for greater worker and public participation in Commission proceedings.
An Executive Order (EO) signed by President Obama July 31st requires companies competing for new federal contracts to self-report safety and other labor law violations.
Disciplining employees for violating safety and health rules is a critical component of any good safety and health program. OSHA's recent policy on employee discipline for violating safety and health rules undercuts the use of such discipline and encourages employees to consider possible claims for retaliation.
Three workers killed in 2010 West Virginia explosion
December 20, 2013
Following an explosion at its facility that killed three people, a West Virginia metal recycler has agreed to implement extensive, company-wide safeguards to prevent future accidental releases of hazardous chemicals from its facilities.
Two workers died from exposure to hydrogen sulfide
November 20, 2013
The former president of Port Arthur Chemical and Environmental Services LLC (PACES) has been sentenced for occupational safety crimes which resulted in the death of an employee. Matthew Lawrence Bowman, 41, of Houston, was sentenced last month to 12 months in federal prison, after pleading to violating the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSH Act) and making a false statement.