By James L. Curtis and Craig B. Simonsen

The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration released its 2014 Budget Justification this week, indicating implementation of its new “weighted inspection system” to target the most serious hazards such as those found in refineries, trenching, shipbreaking, falls, chemical plants and industries that use crystalline silica, lead, and hexavalent chromium.

The Agency plans
Continue Reading OSHA 2014 Budget Justification Will Implement Its New “Weighted Inspection System”

By James L. Curtis and Meagan Newman

In response to increased injury and illness rates for health care support workers, OSHA announced yesterday that a National Emphasis Program on Nursing Home and Residential Care Facilities will be launched in the coming months.  The data released yesterday by the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that the incidence rate for health care
Continue Reading National Emphasis Program for Nursing Home and Residential Care Facilities on the Way

By James L. Curtis and Meagan Newman

On October 20, 2011 the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics announced that nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses declined in 2010, from 3.3 million reported in 2009 to 3.1 million. The incidence rate declined from 3.6 cases per 100 employees to 3.5.

Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis responded to this data,
Continue Reading Workplace Injuries are Down, but OSHA Warns Health Care, Social Assistance and Public Sector Employers They Are Being Watched