Tag Archives: workplace fatality

New OSHA website provides information on preventing backover incidents

I was surprised to read how many workers die from being backed over.  According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, over 70 workers died from backover incidents in 2011. A backover incident occurs when a backing vehicle strikes a worker … Continue reading

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Lockout/Tagout

Lockout/tagout refers to securing tools and equipment when they are being repaired to reduce or eliminate the chance of accidental release of energy.  What that means is that if you are working on equipment that could accidentally start up, or … Continue reading

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When workplace violence happens

First, our sympathies go out to the families and staff of Accent Signage in Minneapolis who were affected by the tragic shootings last week.  It appears that a just-fired employee killed four employees and a delivery driver and seriously wounded … Continue reading

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Dangers of Hot Work – New Chemical Safety Board Video

Hot work is welding, cutting or grinding done near flammable vapors.  Some companies require hot work permits any time hot work is done outside a welding bay.  The Chemical Safety Board (CSB) released a new video on hot work, focusing … Continue reading

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Grounds maintenance work halted in National Parks

A National Parks Service maintenance employee died in May 2012 when his mower went over an embankment. The parks service suspended mowing operations until mowing procedures and safety can be reviewed. According to a Center for Disease Control (CDC) study, … Continue reading

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Safety tip: Reporting an accident

Employers are required by law to report occupational accidents – in which an employee is killed or three or more are hospitalized – to OSHA within eight hours.  You must also report a serious (possibly life threatening) accident to Minnesota … Continue reading

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Window Washing Standard–New for Minnesota

Minnesota OSHA has issued new rules for window washing operations, effective March 1, 2012.  MNOSHA has investigated three fatalities related to window washing.  According to their press release: The new Minnesota Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MNOSHA) standard is designed … Continue reading

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Large OSHA Penalties- Feb 2012

I was reading the Feb 15, 2012 OSHA QuickTakes and was struck by the listing of large penalties: $365,500 to Wal-Mart’s Rochester NY facility for repeat and serious safety and health hazards.  Some of the hazards identified were: fall hazards, … Continue reading

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Safety Initiative on Automotive Repair

There are numerous hazards in both mechanical and collision repair.  The National Institute on Occupational Health and Safety, NIOSH, has developed partnerships with the industry to research and reduce hazards in vehicle repair and industry and has put together a … Continue reading

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Workplace Injury Data for 2010

The November 1 OSHA Update had an article on reduced injury rates. In 2010 “there were 3.1 million nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses among private industry employers.” Over 3 million injuries in one year! To me, that sounded like a … Continue reading

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