A Watchdog Named OSHA

Chris Rodinis
January 3rd, 2012

http://www.lbec-law.com/blog/2012/11/green-jobs-and-workplace-safety-oshas-role.shtml

http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/recycling/index.html

Thursdays are worker safety days. So today covering the Occupational Safety and Health Administration is an important thing to do. After all Business 101 says that employees are the number one asset of any organization.

Recycling is one of the more dangerous industries. Workers have been killed by moving trucks and other hazards. Besides transportation accidents, workers are susceptible to lifting injuries, falling and abrasions.

Facts:

 

• From 2000 to 2012, the fatality rate for the waste management and remediation services industry was over 5 times the fatality rate for all industries.

 

• Nearly 60% of these fatalities were transportation related

Safety First

OSHA’s mission is the health and safety of workers. They are the federal watchdog enforcing safety regulations nationwide. Recently, someone filed a complaint against Vortex Recycling with OSHA for 27 violations and so an investigation ensued.

The result of the investigation was penalties reaching into the thousands of dollars.

The penalties caused from serious violations include a variety of fall, electrical and struck-by hazards; using equipment that is improperly installed, identified and located; improperly maintaining emergency eyewash stations, shower facilities and portable fire extinguishers; having unguarded machinery; crane deficiencies; a lack of proper housekeeping procedures for areas around plant equipment; and failing to develop programs for energy control, hearing conservation, permit-required confined spaces and hazard communication.

The definition of a “serious violation” is when there is substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result from a hazard about which the employer know or should have known.

An “other-than-serious” violation is one that has a direct relationship to job safety and health, but probably would not cause death or serious physical harm.

“These violations pose serious risks to Vortex Recycling workers and must be addressed immediately,” said Theresa A. Naim, director of OSHA’s Erie Area Office. “Employers are responsible for ensuring safe and healthful workplaces, and will be held legally accountable when they fail to do so.”

The OSHA  Act of 1970

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees.

OSHA’s role is to ensure these safe conditions for America’s working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov.

For more information on electronic waste recycling please visit:
www.EwasteWiz.com