OSHA Cites Rail Car Company for Confined Spaces Violations
Trinity Rail and Maintenance Services Inc. was cited for 11 serious violations after the death of two employees in August.
By Nikki Johnson-Bolden
Feb 12, 2021
An Oklahoma rail car products and services provider was cited by the U.S. Department of Labor on Feb. 10 for breaching federal confined spaces safety standards.
OSHA cited Trinity Rail and Maintenance Service Inc. for 11 serious violations and two willful violations. The resulting penalties add up to $419,347. The company was initially investigated after two workers died from inhaling toxic fumes while in a confined space in August 2020.
A first employee became unresponsive after they entered a natural gas rail car to clean a space. A second employee then entered the real car to rescue the first worker, but both later died after being recovered from the site. OSHA determined that Trinity Rail and Maintenance Service Inc. failed to require a permit for entry into
The AIHA was awarded $500,000 from the CDC for the development of worker safety resources.
By Nikki Johnson-Bolden
Feb 10, 2021
The American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) received a Notice of Award from the CDC on Feb. 8.
The award was granted by the CDC’s “Improving Clinical and Public Health Outcomes through National Partnerships to Prevent and Control Emerging Infectious Disease Threats” program. AIHA will begin development on public education resources that are aimed at employed people. The programs will complement the association’s collection of Back to Work Safely resources.
The CDC awarded the AIHA $500,000 in funding for this venture. The association will create training videos and books for the audience of small business owners, first responders, teachers and other “vulnerable workers.” These resources are intended to help workers manage the spread of COVID-19.
The proposed update to OSHAâs Hazard Communication Standard was issued on Feb. 5.
By Nikki Johnson-Bolden
OSHA issued a proposed rule to update its Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) on Feb. 5.
Potential changes to the HCS include adjustments to hazard classification, labels and information and training. The hazard classification aspect would provide specific criteria for classification. Labels would be required to include a harmonized signal word, pictogram, and hazard statement for each hazard class and category.
The rule was proposed for the purpose of aligning with the seventh revision of the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS). The agency thinks that an update to the HCS would increase worker protections and reduce the incidence of chemical-related occupational illnesses and injuries. Information on labels and Safety Data Sheets for hazardous chemicals would be improved upon.
Companies Offer Incentives for Vaccinated Workers
Sixty percent of workers polled by Perceptyx said they would get the COVID-19 vaccine if given a $100 incentive.
By Nikki Johnson-Bolden
Feb 05, 2021
A poll by Perceptyx reported that monetary incentives are the best way to encourage workers to get the COVID-19 vaccine, according to The Business Journals.
There are many people that are hesitant about getting the vaccine, so employers can help ease those concerns and make the workplace safer overall by motivating their employees to get vaccinated. According to the Perceptyx poll, six out of 10 workers would get vaccinated if their employers gave a $100 incentive. Employees are also more likely to get the vaccine if they think their employers “care about them as a person.”