Safety/Health

Feds sue western Pennsylvania mines over inspection tip-offs

02/28/2011

When federal mine safety inspectors arrived last year at two western Pennsylvania mines owned by Rosebud Mining Co., the first thing they did was shut down the company’s phone system so top-side managers couldn’t warn underground workers that an inspection was about to start. That didn’t stop someone from passing along the news.

Improve safety by knowing why workers ignore it

02/28/2011

Each year, more than 4 million people are hurt at work, costing organizations $48 billion annually. Typically, knowledge of risks isn’t the main problem. A study by VitalSmarts identified five situations in which employees most often ignore safety rules:

Safety for all: Ensure evacuation plans comply with the ADA

02/02/2011

Although we usually think of the ADA in terms of helping disabled people perform their jobs with or without accommodations, the law also has important workplace safety implications. Under the ADA, you must make sure your emergency evacuation plans take into account the needs of disabled employees. Some issues to consider:

Threat of suicide justifies medical exam

01/26/2011

Employers are sometimes nervous about demanding that an employee undergo a medical exam. They fear doing so somehow violates the ADA. If an employee threatens suicide or some other violent act, it’s legal for an employer to order a fitness-for-duty exam.

OSHA drains sewer contractor’s pockets

01/14/2011

Gerardi Sewer & Water Co. will have $360,000 less in liquid assets after OSHA cited the firm for eight willful violations. According to an OSHA statement, the company president and a foreman were present at work sites where dangerous conditions existed and still failed to safeguard workers.

E-cigarettes gain in popularity; establish a company policy

01/12/2011

The increasing popularity of so-called “e-cigarettes” is forcing employers to set policies on their usage in the workplace and to modify their on-premise smoking policies.

Texting while driving: Must you ban it?

01/11/2011

The legal wall is building against texting while driving. The federal government and most states are going after drivers distracted by their iPhones, Blackberries and Androids. Is it time for you to formally ban the practice for your employees?

The HR I.Q. Test: January ’11

01/11/2011

Test your knowledge of recent trends in employment law, comp & benefits and other HR issues with our monthly mini-quiz …

‘Spider-Man’ caught in OSHA’s web

01/04/2011

Preview performances of “Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark” have been drawing big crowds of theater-goers eager to get a sneak-peak at Broadway’s most-expensive-ever musical. But the production isn’t earning rave reviews from some unlikely audience members—inspectors from OSHA and the New York Department of Labor.

When employee threatens, you can and should discipline–regardless of reason

01/03/2011

Employers and employees have the right to a safe work environment free from violence or direct threats of harm. Punishing an employee who puts others in danger or creates widespread fear is not only appropriate, but essential. That’s true regardless of the underlying reason for the threatening behavior. You can discipline the employee, no matter why he misbehaved.