Category: Enforcement and Inspection

As today’s workplace becomes more complex, regulation of that workplace increases. In this section, you’ll find the practical advice you need to understand exactly what OSHA, other federal agencies, and their state counterparts, require of you, and to comply in the ways that best satisfy both your and their needs. Look also for important court decisions, advice on how to handle enforcement actions, and news of upcoming changes in workplace health and safety law.

Free Special Report: What to Expect from an OSHA Inspection

New Jersey Contractor Facing $485K OSHA Fine

U.S. Tank Painting Inc., a New Jersey water tank painting contractor, is facing $485,580 in Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) fines after a worker’s 80-foot fall from a Bayville, New Jersey, water tower, resulting in severe injuries, the agency announced July 24. Agency investigators determined that U.S. Tank Painting employed workers to sandblast and […]

EPA Erred in its January 2021 PFBS Toxicity Assessment

The EPA Office of Inspector General (OIG) recently issued a report that found the Agency didn’t follow the typical intra-agency review and clearance process during the development and publication of the January 2021 perfluorobutane sulfonic acid (PFBS) toxicity assessment. During the final clearance process for the assessment, a Trump political appointee ordered a last-minute review […]

Group Says Soil is Toxic Near Ohio Train Derailment, Petitions EPA

Last month, the Government Accountability Project (GAP), filed an Emergency Administrative Procedure Act (APA) petition with the EPA to spur the Agency to take action to warn residents in and around East Palestine, Ohio, not to eat homegrown garden produce due to dioxin and other chemical contamination in the soil from the Norfolk Southern train […]

Infographic: Hearing Conservation

If you don’t have a hearing conservation program in place to protect employees from workplace noise exposure, what are you waiting for? Here’s what you need to know about training employees on hearing conservation.

The Demise of the Chevron Deference and the Future of Administrative Law

On June 28, 2024, the U.S. Supreme Court (SCOTUS) made history in issuing a landmark 6-to-3 ruling overturning a 40-year-old administrative law standard known as Chevron deference. The ruling opens the door for a tsunami of legal challenges to federal rulemaking. Federal regulations affect nearly every facet of daily life, from the cars we drive […]

CSB Issues Update on Louisiana Explosion, Toxic Release

On July 17, the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) released an update on its investigation into a January 2023 explosion and toxic chemical release at the Honeywell Performance Materials and Technologies facility in Geismar, Louisiana. A reboiler at the facility exploded, leading to the release of over 870 pounds (lb) of hydrogen […]

EPA sign, Environmental Protection Agency

EPA Announces Proposed Settlement for Alleged CWA Violations

On July 12, 2024, the EPA announced a proposed settlement with OMG Partners of Turlock, California, to resolve claims of Clean Water Act (CWA) violations after one of the company’s tanker trucks overturned and a fuel product spilled into the roadway, Laguna Creek, Coyote Creek, and the Don Edwards National Wildlife Refuge. The fuel reached […]

Wisconsin Waste Management Company Facing $367K OSHA Fine

John’s Disposal Service Inc. and John’s Recycling Inc., a Franksville, Wisconsin, waste management company, faces $367,401 in Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) fines after a temporary maintenance worker suffered severe injuries when their jacket sleeve was pulled into an engine as they serviced a vehicle, the agency announced July 18. OSHA cited the company […]

DOL Obtains Injunction Protecting Postal Workers

Department of Labor (DOL) attorneys obtained a consent judgment in federal court that includes an injunction permanently preventing the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) from retaliating against employees at up to 59 locations in the state of Washington, the DOL announced July 16. The consent judgment also requires the USPS to pay $183,732 in lost wages, […]

Clean air

Colorado Refinery Receives NOV for Alleged CAA Violations

On July 8, 2024, the EPA announced it issued a Notice of Violation (NOV) to Suncor Energy (U.S.A.) Inc., alleging the Commerce City refinery failed to comply with air emissions laws. The NOV was issued in partnership with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE). The agencies allege Suncor violated or is violating […]