Tag Archives: fines

General Safety Issues

REPORT YOUR CONCERNS ABOUT SAFETY AT WORK

This is the story of a whistleblower.  First, here’s the definition:

Noun 1. whistleblower – an informant who exposes wrongdoing within an organization in the hope of stopping it; “the law gives little protection to whistleblowers who feel the public has a right to know what is going on”; “the whistleblower was fired for exposing the conditions in mental hospitals”

informant, source – a person who supplies information
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
 
A worker for an Idaho sawmill company waits to see if he will receive a  settlement from Clearwater Paper Corporation because he raised workplace safety concerns to OSHA.  The Department of Labor is seeking $300,000 for this employee who was first suspended and later fired after OSHA conducted an inspection.  It was alleged that workers were exposed to excessive amounts of red cedar dust in one of their sawmills. That facility was closed in 2011.

The department is also seeking reinstatement of the employee (at one of the other facilities),  as well as payment of more than $300,000 in damages and fees, including back pay, compensatory damages, emotional distress damages and punitive damages.

Section 11(c) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act prohibits employers from discharging or in any manner retaliating or discriminating against any worker for exercising their rights under the Act. These rights include filing an OSHA complaint, participating in an inspection, raising a safety and health issue with the employer or the government, or any other right afforded by the OSHA law. Of the whistleblower complaints that OSHA receives every year, 11c complaints comprise the majority. For more information on 11c and the 21 other whistleblower statutes under OSHA’s jurisdiction, visit www.whistleblowers.gov.

Source: OSHA QuickTakes Newletter

Note: Many workers are very intimidated about reporting safety and health concerns, because of the fear of losing their job, and/or retaliation.  They are protected under the Whistleblower Act.  However, if the hazards of the job are not addressed and someone gets hurt or killed, those workers who were afraid to report safety violations may regret having not told someone.  Do not take that chance: report any suspicions to your supervisor, and if it is not addressed, then call an OSHA office in your area.  pb

General Safety Issues, High Visibility Safety

NATIONAL WORK ZONE AWARENESS WEEK

April 23-27 is set aside as the week to remind drivers to be aware of the workers who build and repair our highways and bridges.  Those workers must face not only speeding drivers, but the hazards of working around heavy equipment, as well.  From the time you see a flagger, slow down to the speed limit and drive with care.  He/she will be wearing a high viz safety vest, so they are not that hard to spot.  These are state and/or contract workers who have the duty to keep our roads operable, in addition to building new ones, because of the growing demands of more and more traffic.  They want to go home when their shift is complete, just as the rest of us.  Working in all types of weather is another factor that they contend with, just to keep us rolling. 

Each year in April, National Work Zone Awareness Week is held to bring national attention to motorist and worker safety and mobility issues in work zones.  Since 1999, FHWA has worked with the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials and the American Safety Services Association to coordinate and sponsor the event.  Other transportation partners have joined the effort to support NWZAW, over the thirteen years that this observance has been highlighted.  This years’ theme is “Don’t Barrel Through Work Zones! Drive Smart to Arrive Alive!” 

We also want to share this information from OSHA, who renewed an alliance with the Roadway Work Zone Safety and Health Partners to protect workers while working in roadway construction work zones.  The Alliance will concentrate on preventing worker injuries and deaths from construction vehicle runovers and backovers by focusing on increased outreach to non-English-speaking or limited-English-speaking workers.  David Michaels, Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health, said, “most fatalities that occur in road construction work zones involve a worker being struck by a piece of equipment or other vehicle.  This group of concerned Partners will help reach workers and employers with critical education and information to reduce preventable injuries and death.”  

The Alliance will provide fact sheets for paramedics, police officers, truck drivers and other work zone visitors on the proper personal protective equipment and high-visibility apparel to wear, and how to enter and exit a work zone during the day and night.  Additional fact sheets will also be developed for less knowledgeable contractors detailing which traffic control requirements apply, particularly focusing on short-term temporary work zones. 

The Partners comprise a group of construction industry associates committed to protecting the health, safety and rights of workers, and understanding the responsibilities of employers, representing more than 1.2 million members and workers nationwide.  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 conditions for America’s working men and women by setting and enforcing standards and providing training, education, and assistance.  

When you see the signs indicating that there is Road Work within so many miles, you might also notice that the fine for speeding through these work zones doubles.  So not only are you respecting the safety of the workers, you can keep a little more money in your billfold by being extra cautious!  Drive friendly!