labor lawAdivision of labor law center

OSHA is once again addressing regulations on combustible dust hazards in the workplace.

The U.S. Department of Labor recently announced that OSHA will issue an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on this controversial topic. The new regulations will address issues such as:

• Defining combustible dust
• Hazard recognition
• Assessment
• Communication 

OSHA has asked employers, unions, workers and other interested parties to weigh in with their thoughts on the new regulations and related enforcement methods.

Tragically, a number of workplace deaths have resulted from combustible dust explosions in the past few years. An explosion at an Imperial Sugar Co. plant explosion in Port Wentworth, Georgia killed 14 workers in February, 2008. OSHA levied $9 million in fines against the owners.

In April 2009, 3 workers lost their lives (more…)

Alaska employers are forewarned that the state Labor Commissioner is focusing on safety regulations regarding the use of cranes in the workplace.

A number of serious crane accidents in New York and across the country have prompted these changes. More recently, a crane tipped over and crushed a spectator during a building ceremony in Oklahoma. Other fatal crane accidents have taken place in Nevada, Florida and Texas in just the past few months.

The Alaska Labor Commissioner Click Bishop (more…)