Author: Guy Burdick, EHS Daily Advisor

Pepsi Bottler Agrees to Pay $132K in OSHA Fines

Pepsi Guam Bottling agreed to pay $132,591 in Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) penalties to settle safety and health citations for exposing employees to amputation and other serious injuries, the agency announced January 3. Last year, OSHA cited Pepsi Guam Bottling with one willful, one repeat, and six serious violations of machine safety procedures after […]

Atlanta’s Curious and Complex ‘Cop City’ Project

An ongoing controversial construction project in Atlanta for a new training facility for fire and police personnel—nicknamed “Cop City”—highlights what some have characterized as “complicit” actions by the federal government. These allegations are the result of the U.S. Geological Survey’s (USGS) removal of a “streamgauge” that measured sediment pollution levels at a creek near the […]

CAA State Implementation Guidelines for Existing Sources

In November 2023, the EPA published final updates to its “Implementing Regulations” under Section 111(d) of the Clean Air Act (CAA). The Implementing Regulations set timelines and other requirements for state plans to limit pollution from existing sources under Section 111. The updates apply to state plans developed for all emissions guidelines published after July […]

CSB Says OSHA Should Regulate Oil Well Drilling, Servicing

In a final investigation report into a fatal well blowout, the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) called on the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to include onshore well drilling and well servicing operations in the agency’s process safety management (PSM) standard or develop a separate federal standard to address such operations. […]

EHSDA Song of the Week: New Year

As we wrap up the first week of 2024, it’s time to put the holiday celebrations and time off behind us and look ahead to the new year. To help you kick start your safety endeavors, EHS Daily Advisor’s Song of the Week is a short blast of indie rock awesomeness from the Breeders, appropriately […]

Faces of EHS: Janalee McKnight on Making the Business Case for Safety

Janalee McKnight originally planned on a career in academia before making the move into the world of EHS. For the past four years, she’s worked as Senior Manager, Global Health & Safety Training Programs, for the VF Corporation. VF Corporation is one of the largest apparel, footwear, and accessories companies connecting people to the lifestyles, […]

D.C. Circuit Pauses Forced Truck Electrification Lawsuit

On December 21, 2023, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia agreed to pause lawsuits seeking to end the mandatory California-led phase-in of electric heavy-duty trucks until the court rules on separate suits filed to decide whether various aspects of mandating electric passenger cars and light pickup trucks is lawful. “Judges Michelle […]

EPA Enforcement of EPCRA and General Duty Clause Requirements

Two Rhode Island companies, under separate, recently proposed settlements with the EPA, have been ordered to pay combined fines of approximately $280,000 due to alleged violations of reporting requirements for their uses of anhydrous ammonia and metals. The companies alleged violations stem from compliance with the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) and the […]

OSHA Releases Text of Emergency Response Proposal

On December 21, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) released text of a proposed rule it plans to publish in January 2024 covering the health and safety of emergency response workers. The proposal would update the agency’s 43-year-old fire brigades rule. It would also update the existing fire brigades standard and expand safety and […]

Ohio Builder Agrees to Pay $730K OSHA Fine

Charm Builders Ltd., an Ohio-based contractor, agreed to pay $730,000 in Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) penalties to settle a dozen citations stemming from a March 2022 investigation into fall protection violations, the agency announced December 28. On September 29, 2022, OSHA cited Millersburg, Ohio-based Charm Builders for six egregious-willful, five repeat, and one […]