3-alarm fire that caused heavy damage at the Big and Deals Supercenter in Tampa, FL started by an electrical malfunction between the dropped ceiling and the roof level in the area above the kitchen.

Massive Tampa shopping center fire caused by electrical malfunction

  By WFLA Web Staff Published: October 17, 2016, 9:42 pm Updated: October 18, 2016, 1:04 pm

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) – Fire investigators say a 3-alarm fire that caused heavy damage at a Tampa shopping center was started by an electrical malfunction between the dropped ceiling and the roof level in the area above the kitchen.

The blaze broke out at the Big and Deals Supercenter at 4015 E. Hillsborough Ave. around 9:15 p.m. on Monday.

The fire caused extensive smoke and fire damage throughout the building, including a partial roof collapse. No one was injured.

When Tampa Fire Rescue crews first arrived they found heavy smoke coming from the northwest corner of the single-story approximately large commercial building. Crews remained on scene fighting the blaze until the early morning hours of Tuesday.

Firefighters began battling the blaze and the incident commander called for a second alarm at 9:20 p.m. due to the size of the fire and the building. Fire officials said that the incident commander decided to fight the fire using a defensive attack due to the instability of the roof. He wanted to ensure the safety of the crews. Two aerial units also responded to the scene pouring water on the fire.

One of the store employees said, all four of the staffers working in the building were accounted for and got out safely. At 10:30 p.m. the incident commander requested additional units which upgraded the fire to a third alarm.

Damage estimates are not yet available.

Numerous explosions fuel massive 3-alarm fire that destroyed a home and property in San Jose, CA; possible drug house

Investigators work to determine cause of massive San Jose house fire


Investigators are trying to pinpoint the cause of a massive fire inside a home in San Jose. Four family members were lucky to have escaped the inferno. (KGO-TV)

By Matt Keller
Wednesday, October 19, 2016 02:01PM
SAN JOSE, Calif. (KGO) -- Investigators are trying to pinpoint the cause of a massive fire inside a home in San Jose. Four family members were lucky to have escaped the inferno.

The flames were big at the home on Ensalmo Avenue near Hillsdale Avenue. Firefighters say a fire at 11 p.m. is a high risk.

Often times people are sleeping, unaware of the life-threatening danger.

911 callers said people were trapped inside, but by the time firefighters arrived, a man and his teenage daughter had already escaped while his parents, an elderly couple, were rescued by some Good Samaritans.

3 alarm fire on Ensalmo & Hillsdale in San Jose destroys home. 4 adults escaped uninjured.
Video from Ryan Nelson. pic.twitter.com/9L5VwvEnap— Matt Keller (@MattKellerABC7) October 19, 2016

"There were some elderly people in the back of the house. They pulled them out and threw them over the fence and brought them out to the street," neighbor Ryan Nelson said.

Explosions rocked the neighborhood. Several people said they were so strong, the shook their homes.

Firefighters called for three alarms and it took 80 minutes to knock down the flames.

Will Gemo recorded video of it on his phone. "I ran down here and got a video of the fire. It was a crazy fire, explosions going off. And we were just praying that it wouldn't spread and luckily it didn't," he said.

Firefighters believe the explosions may have been the tires on two vehicles popping from the heat.

The son and his elderly parents came back to the home Wednesday morning. He wouldn't go on camera but told ABC7 News that he started it and it was accidental.

Several neighbors say police have been out here before and a lot of suspicious people go in and out of the home at all hours of the day.

"The police have been out twice. They had the streets blocked off and everything one time," neighbor Ed Schneickert said.

Firefighters said a fire cause investigator was going to be out Wednesday morning but one has yet to arrive.

As for the family, they said they have insurance and are currently being taken care of by the Red Cross.



========



SAN JOSE (KRON) — Good Samaritans helped rescue a couple from a house fire in San Jose that started late Tuesday night.

The fire was reported just after 11 p.m. near the intersection of Hillsdale and Ensalmo Avenues.

Four occupants were initially stuck inside, but all were evacuated without injury.

Neighbors jumped into action when they saw the flames and helped rescue a couple who was trapped in the house.

Firefighters believe the fire started in the garage then spread to the house.

People reported hearing explosions from the garage but the cause of the fire is still unknown and under investigation.

The blaze was knocked down by 12:20 a.m.

THE SAVAGE HUMANS: Kittens used as bait for dog fighting in the Bay area of California

Kittens used as bait for dog fighting rescued in Northern California


It's a scenario that's shocked even those who are veterans of animal rescues - two little kittens with legs bound in rubber bands apparently used as bait for pit bull fighting in the Bay Area. (Solano County Friends of Animals)

By Laura Anthony
Wednesday, October 19, 2016 06:35PM
BENICIA, Calif. -- Two little kittens used as bait for pit bull fighting were dropped off, barely alive, in Benicia. It was a scenario that even shocked the veterans of animal rescue.

"It's the first time I've seen our entire staff reduced to tears, everybody," said Pet Food Express store manager Leona Edejer.

Edejer said she has seen thousands of abandoned kittens before, but few like these. The two little tabbies that were dropped off in terrible shape on Oct. 13 were dubbed Will and Grace by her staff.


"Apparently these kittens were being used as pit bull bait," she said. "So the kittens had their legs bound with rubber bands because they want their dogs to learn to fight and kill, but not be damaged by the kittens. So the kittens have no way to protect themselves. So they can't run and they can't fight and they can't bite."

Both kittens had severe damage to their legs. Despite efforts to nurse them back to health, Grace didn't make it and had to be euthanized due to a severe gangrene infection.

"I've been in it for years and have never have seen anything like this," said Ruby Waderich with the nonprofit rescue group Solano County Friends of Animals.

She said what happened to Will and Grace was, unfortunately, not that rare.

"We've had them come in with bites and chews, but not with the feet the way they are," Waderich said.

Now the focus was on Will and his path to recovery.

While his future looks good, Edejer wanted to make sure people with unwanted animals understand what could happen if they ended up in the wrong hands.

"So for everybody who puts your free kittens on classified, or on Craigslist or online," she said. "Know where these kittens are going, where they're ending up."

The Solano County Animal Control Division was investigating the abuse and were trying to locate the woman who dropped off the kittens. Officials said they were attempting to uncover any illegal dog fighting rings in the area.

Anyone with information about the case or any case of animal cruelty was urged to call Solano Co. Animal Control at (707)784-4735.

Solano County Friends of Animals was also looking for donations to help pay for Will's treatment and care. To make a donation, go to the group's GoFundMe page, or mail contributions to P.O. Box 235, Benicia, 94510.

When he's healthy and strong in about two months, officials said Will would be available for adoption.

Unfortunately humans are capable of savage behavior.  Many such incidents have been reported over the years all over the world: in Poland the savage humans have been using the kittens as bait to train their hunting dogs, etc.

Several people were injured in a Greyhound bus crash after the driver sufferred a medical issue while was eating in Tulare County, CA

OCTOBER 19, 2016
TRAVER, CA

A Greyhound bus ran off Highway 99 in Tulare County on Wednesday, but it remained upright, and about half the passengers had minor injuries, authorities said.

About 8:25 a.m. the bus carrying about 30 passengers veered off the southbound lanes of Highway 99 near Traver and drove across a frontage road and into a field.


Passengers receive minor injuries after the bus veers off the roadway and runs into a field before coming to a stop. lgriswold@fresnobee.com

Fourteen people, including the driver, suffered injuries and were taken to area hospitals for treatment.

The crash site was between Traver and Avenue 328, near Cross Creek.

Why the bus went off the road is under investigation, but alcohol or drug use was not considered a factor, California Highway Patrol officer Steve Beal said.

The bus drove through two fences and clipped a cotton transport bin on which a “Trump for President” sign was attached.

The bus left Sacramento about 3:30 a.m. and was bound for Los Angeles. Passengers told reporters they were sleeping when the bus left the roadway.

“Everybody was screaming,” said passenger Donny Van Why of Huntington Beach.

Victoria Casillas, another passenger, said she “remembered waking up, and everybody is, like, flying all over the place.”

Passenger Bamm Byas of Los Angeles said running off the highway “felt like a roller-coaster ride, but bumpier and scarier.”

He said it appeared to him that the bus driver was eating, then collapsed, before driving off the highway. “He started getting dizzy, and the whole bus went from one lane to the other lane and ended up off the road.”

The injured passengers were taken to hospitals in Visalia, Tulare and Hanford.

Another Greyhound bus was dispatched to the scene to pick up the uninjured passengers and transport them to Los Angeles.



========== Greyhound bus crashes on Highway 99 in Traver



In Tulare County several people were injured in a Greyhound bus crash. The bus veered off southbound Highway 99 near Traver Wednesday morning. (KFSN)

By Joe Ybarra
Wednesday, October 19, 2016 04:23PM
TRAVER, Calif. (KFSN) -- In Tulare County several people were injured in a Greyhound bus crash. The bus veered off southbound Highway 99 near Traver Wednesday morning. The bus smashed through fences and clipped a cotton bin before coming to a rest in a field.

There were 30 to 35 passengers on the bus and, according to the CHP, 14 people were taken to the hospital with minor injuries.

Mario Flores said he was asleep inside this Greyhound bus when it drifted off of Highway 99.

"I basically woke up mid-air, and I was like, 'what's going on?'"

At that point Flores said he grabbed a rail and held on tight through the chaos.

"Everybody was flying around, saw a couple people out of their seats in the middle of the aisle and everything."

Two barbed wire fences, a small hill, and a big cotton bin weren't enough to stop the bus. It pushed through and ended up in a field on the side of a frontage road near Traver, just north of Avenue 328.

Victoria Casillas said the initial impact also woke her up and a seatbelt saved her life.

"I'm kinda glad I put my seatbelt on today, I never put my seatbelt on. It kind of saved me from moving all over the place."

Casillas escaped with back pain while others were taken to hospitals in Tulare, Visalia, and Hanford. CHP officer Steve Beal said the injuries were all minor cuts and bruises and the bus driver took the hardest hits.

"He had the most visible injuries-- he had a couple lacerations, maybe an abrasion on the back of his head. But he was coherent, walking, talking, very cooperative."

Officer Beal said there were no signs of drugs or alcohol. He said, the bus was on a journey from Oregon to Los Angeles and it made a stop in Sacramento, Wednesday morning. The drivers were switched out and roughly five hours into this leg of the ride is when it crashed.

Passengers said the driver was eating and had some kind of medical issue.

"People in the front knew what happened, they said the bus driver coughed and passed out," sid Louisa Moritz, passenger.

Those who were able to walk away were stranded for a few hours. Greyhound sent a second bus to the scene to pick them up.

Looking back on the crash, Flores said he's surprised this many people were able to walk away.

"it's really bad, it's really bad-- we're lucky to be alive actually."

From here CHP will continue to investigate the crash. In the meantime, we are told the bus will be taken to Los Angeles for an inspection.

FedEx employee sufferred severe to moderate injuries after his arm was caught in conveyor belt in Springfield, MO

(Photo: Andrew Jansen / News-Leader)

A worker at the FedEx warehouse near Kearney and Mulroy Road in northeast Springfield, MO got his arm stuck in a conveyor belt this morning.

OSHA investigating FedEx in Springfield after employee gets caught in conveyor belt
Alissa Zhu , DZHU@NEWS-LEADER.COM 

11:22 p.m. CDT October 18, 2016


The federal agency in charge of regulating workplace safety is investigating an incident that occurred at a FedEx distribution center in northeast Springfield on Friday morning.

The Springfield Fire Department received a call at 9:26 a.m. Friday about a FedEx employee trapped in a conveyor belt, according to Randy Villines, assistant chief at the fire department.

Villines said first responders freed the employee in about a half hour, and he was transported to a local hospital in an ambulance.

The employee sustained "severe to moderate injuries" to his arm, Villines said.

The acting area director of the Kansas City Area Office for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Karena Lorek, announced Tuesday that OSHA has opened an investigation.

In a statement emailed to the News-Leader, an OSHA spokeswoman said the agency will collect information and identify any violations of OSHA standards. The agency may issue citations and penalties if it finds there have been violations.

Lorek said, "These types of incidences are preventable. It is the responsibility of the employer to ensure all workers are properly trained and that a safe and healthy work environment is available to all employees."

Contacted on Tuesday, Villines told the News-Leader the individual's current condition is unknown because the fire department does not typically get follow-ups on injured parties.

According to an incident report from the fire department, the employee is a "20 something male."

His left arm was trapped up to the shoulder between two rollers and his head was caught between one roller and a brace on the machine, the report said.

Villines said the employee was conscious and talking when crews were working to extricate him from the machine.

According to the report, another employee was going to shut off the conveyor when he fell and hurt his shoulder.

The second employee also left the FedEx building in an ambulance.

OSHA has up to six months to complete an investigation.

FedEx spokeswoman Allie Addoms told the News-Leader the FedEx distribution center, located at 2700 N. Mulroy Road, began operating in late September. She said more than 100 employees work there.

Addoms said safety is FedEx's top priority.

"We have a long history of conducting safe operations across our network of 80,000 employees who process over 7.6 million packages a day. We remain committed to workplace safety and will cooperate fully with OSHA during their investigation," Addoms said.
============

SPRINGFIELD, Mo.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is investigating after a FedEx employee became trapped in a conveyor belt at a Springfield distribution center.

The agency announced Tuesday that an investigation has been opened.




==============
2:16 p.m. CDT October 14, 2016

Springfield, MO
Crews responded to a FedEx employee trapped in a conveyor belt Friday morning, according to Randy Villines, assistant chief at the Springfield Fire Department.

Villines said the fire department received a call for help at 9:26 a.m. Friday at 2700 N. Mulroy Road.

Villines said it appears that the individual's left arm was drawn into the conveyor belt.

The man was freed from the conveyor belt at around 10 a.m.

The employee sustained "severe to moderate injuries" to his arm, Villines said. The wounds are not life threatening, according to Villines

Villines said there was a second injury Friday morning at the FedEx building.

"(An) employee heard what happened. The individual went to run and slipped and fell and possibly dislocated their shoulder," Villines said.

Both people were sent to a local hospital for treatment, Villines said.

BP-Husky Refining LLC, Lakeshore Utility Trailer Inc. of Millbury, Buffalo Cartridge Co. Inc. of Findlay, SMB Construction Inc. at 5120 Jackman Rd., Toledo fined over $105,000 for serious safety violations

 

Four Toledo-area companies, including BP-Husky Refining LLC, have been cited and fined for workplace safety violations by federal regulators.
BP-Husky Refining LLC, was fined $35,632 for violations at the company’s refinery at 4001 Cedar Point Rd. in Oregon, according to the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration. The company was cited for five “serious” category violations, all of which related to the use and working condition of fire hydrants at the refinery.

Lakeshore Utility Trailer Inc. of Millbury was fined $35,926 for four “serious” violations and one more minor violation found at its operations at 3235 Moline-Martin Rd. The company failed to report within 24 hours an injury to an employee who was later hospitalized, OSHA said. Because the incident remains under investigation the injury could not be disclosed. The four “serious” citations were for violations involving the use of company forklifts.

Buffalo Cartridge Co. Inc. of Findlay was fined $21,378 for six “serious” violations and one minor violation found at the company’s operations on Broad Avenue in Findlay. The violations related to lack of written procedures, clean-up, and changes involving hazardous chemicals used by the company, which makes ammunition.

Lastly, SMB Construction Inc. at 5120 Jackman Rd., Toledo, was fined $15,714 for two “serious” violations found at a job site at 4100 Bennett Rd. The violations were for exposing employees to excessive heat while working inside a commercial building. Records indicated temperature reached 112 degrees inside a building being worked on for water damage.

In addition, SMB was cited for failing to train employees on how to prevent and recognize early signs of heat-related illnesses.

Each of the companies can contest the citations and fines.

The vice president of Montaplast of North America, the Frankfort, KY factory where two employees died in separate accidents issued a statement Wednesday addressing their deaths and the temporary closing of the plant. Frankfort factory where two employees died in separate accidents issued a statement Wednesday addressing their deaths and the temporary closing of the plant.

Montaplast executive issues statement in wake of employee deaths

By Greg Kocher

gkocher1@herald-leader.com

The vice president of the Frankfort, KY factory where two employees died in separate accidents issued a statement Wednesday addressing their deaths and the temporary closing of the plant.

Holger Ramcke, vice president of Montaplast of North America, reiterated that “the safety and security of every employee at Montaplast is of the utmost priority to us.” (a.k.a. "lip service").

Angela Mitchell, 35, died Sunday after suffering a head injury Thursday night in an accident involving an overhead crane. Then, on Monday, Ben Cermak, 23, of Lawrenceburg died after suffering an electric shock.

Another employee in the Thursday night accident suffered a shoulder injury, but that person’s name was not released.

In his letter, Ramcke wrote: “The Montaplast and Frankfort communities have been shaken by the recent tragic, accidental deaths of Angela Mitchell and Ben Cermak. Angela and Ben were valued members of our Montaplast family of employees. Our employees are the backbone of our company. The safety and security of every employee at Montaplast is of the utmost priority to us.

“We feel it is important for the community to understand what we have done after these accidents. Once we voluntarily shut down the facility the afternoon of October 17, we began the important process of inspecting every piece of equipment. We engaged outside, third-party investigators to inspect our equipment at the same time governmental authorities were present investigating the accidents,” Ramcke wrote.

“Prior to re-opening our facility and resuming production on October 19, we re-certified the facility’s equipment with a focus that our team was coming back to a safe and secure workplace,” Ramcke added.

Ramcke wrote that grief counselors remain on site and “we plan to keep those counselors available to our employees until they are no longer needed. Our employees are encouraged to share questions or concerns with their supervisors, and we have a safety hotline available for our employees’ use.”

Ramcke said the company is “determining the most meaningful way to remember and honor Angela and Ben. We look forward to sharing that news with the Frankfort community soon.”

The Kentucky Labor Cabinet is investigating the two accidents.

Montaplast is a supplier of center caps, exterior trim parts, and cloth molded interior trim parts for vehicles, according to the Kentucky Directory of Manufacturers.

Montaplast of North America, Inc. - Frankfort, KY - Montaplast of North America Inc. is a technological leader supplying the automotive industry with state of the art composite air intake manifolds as well as highly engineered plastic components. Rapid growth and our technological capabilities have increased our need to continue staffing our Frankfort, KY. facility. Position Requirements and Description 

======

Cars can always do more. They get better, more versatile, and safer. With our innovative, high quality plastic systems for the engine compartment, exterior, and interior, Montaplast is making its own valuable contribution to progress.

Cars can always do more. They get better, more versatile, and safer. With our innovative, high quality plastic systems for the engine compartment, exterior, and interior, Montaplast is making its own valuable contribution to progress.

At Montaplast we understand "plastic" in its original artistic sense too. We apply our creativity to ensure that today"s finest automobiles meet our customers" increasing demands for safety, stability, durability, environmental compatibility, design, and comfort. The fact that tomorrow"s car can do so much more than yesterday"s without becoming heavier or more unstable due to new components has a lot to do with Montaplast. We work to ensure that metal parts are replaced wherever possible by modern plastics that integrate the maximum number of functions. With the help of the very latest processing and material technologies we develop temperature and pressure-resistant modules that are optimized for function, cost, and weight - destined for the vehicles of the future, today.

This proactive approach characterizes Montaplast today. Our high-quality plastic parts comprise the heart of all systems "Made by Montaplast" just as before.

The history and development of a special family business

Founded in 1958 by Albert Stulz Sr. in Morsbach, Germany, Montaplast is a mid-sized company representing five decades of experience in the production of plastic precision parts and systems - first for household appliances and now for the automobile industry. When Montaplast of North America, Inc. was founded in 1992 in Frankfort, Kentucky, the family business moved into a new and expansive phase. Since then, Montaplast sales offices and development centers have sprung up in Detroit, Suzhou, Nagoya, London, Paris, Stuttgart, Munich, and Cologne. In 2006 a third production location was added, the Montaplast Automotive System (SIP) Co., Ltd. in Suzhou near Shanghai.

History

1958	Company foundation by Albert Stulz Sr. Manufacturing of plastic precision parts for household appliances Start of the toolshop and extrusion technology
1968	Introduction of vibration welding of plastic parts
1979	Start of the lost core technology
1980	Start of the first paint line
1985	Introduction of CAD and CAM systems
1990	SOP of the first plastic air intake manifold in lost core technology for Porsche
1992	Opening of the Sales and Engineering Office in Detroit
1993	Foundation of Montaplast of North America, Inc. in Frankfort, Kentucky
1999	Inauguration of the technology center at the head office in Morsbach
2006	Establishment of Montaplast Automotive System (SIP) Co., Ltd. in Suzhou, China

A&A Environmental Services Inc. fines almost $250,000 after failed to monitor carbon monoxide exposure for workers inside an asbestos containment area, and violated required procedures for safe handling of the dangerous known carcinogen at nursing home renovation

October 19, 2016

OSHA inspectors responding to report of workers sickened by carbon monoxide,
finds dangerous asbestos exposure, other hazards at nursing home renovation

NEW GLARUS, Wis. - After five employees became ill from carbon monoxide exposure as they renovated a New Glarus nursing home, federal safety inspectors responding to the scene found their employer also exposed the workers to asbestos hazards.

U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration inspectors determined A&A Environmental Services Inc. failed to monitor carbon monoxide exposure for workers inside an asbestos containment area, and violated required procedures for safe handling of the dangerous known carcinogen. A local hospital later treated the five employees sickened by the gas exposure on April 19, 2016.

On Oct. 19, 2016, OSHA issued four willful and nine serious health violations to the Poynette-based company. A&A faces proposed fines of $243,716. The agency found workers' exposure exceeded 50 parts per million over an eight hour time-weighted average and that the company failed to implement engineering controls to reduce employee exposure.

"A company like A&A Environmental Services that specializes in asbestos abatement should be setting the standard in employee protection while handling known carcinogenic material," said Ann Grevenkamp, OSHA's area director in Madison. "No worker should ever become sick on the job or suffer long-term health issues because their employer failed to take the necessary precautions to protect them."

Asbestos exposure occurs when workers cut, sand, remove and/or disturb asbestos containing materials, releasing asbestos fibers that can be inhaled without proper protection. Asbestos can cause lung disease and mesothelioma, a cancer of the lining of the lung or stomach that is often fatal. Asbestos fibers also remain on clothing and transfer to other surfaces such as upholstery and carpets, creating a danger of secondary exposure for others.

In its citations, OSHA alleges that A&A Environmental failed to:

• Provide a separate room for asbestos containment equipment.
• Create a decontamination area with a separate area for employees to shower and remove work clothing before leaving the worksite.
• Ensure employees did not consume beverages inside an asbestos containment area.
• Monitor worksites for carbon monoxide exposure.
• Train workers on carbon monoxide hazards.
• Smoke test the containment area and glove bags used to contain asbestos.
• Provide ground fault circuit interrupters inside containment areas where wet techniques are used for asbestos removal.
• Provide medical evaluation and fit-testing for employees required to use respirators.

View current citations here.

The company has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and penalties to contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

To ask questions, obtain compliance assistance, file a complaint, or report amputations, eye loss, workplace hospitalizations, fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to workers, the public should call OSHA's toll-free hotline at 800-321-OSHA (6742) or the agency's Madison office at 608-441-5388.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA's role is to ensure these conditions for America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov.

# # #

OSHA issued almost $100K in fines, repeat violations to the workers' employer Seneca Steel Erectors Inc., Construction Labor Contractors, the temporary employment agency that provided the workers, and The Daimler Group, the site's general contractor.

Oct. 19, 2016

Temporary workers rigging steel at Columbus building site at risk
of 6-story falls as employers failed to provide fall protection, training
OSHA cites general contractor, Seneca Steel and employment agency after investigation



COLUMBUS, Ohio - The absence of fall protection equipment exposed six temporary employees to falls of up to 60 feet as they welded and attached steel braces on a commercial construction site in Columbus. A dangerous oversight given that falls account for nearly 40 percent of work-related fatalities - the construction industry's leading cause of death.

Responding to a report of unsafe working conditions, inspectors from the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration observed inadequate fall protection for workers at a building site for Alliance Data System in the 3000 block of Loyalty Circle, on July 12, 2016.

On Oct. 19, 2016, OSHA issued violations to the workers' employer Seneca Steel Erectors Inc., Construction Labor Contractors, the temporary employment agency that provided the workers, and The Daimler Group, the site's general contractor.

Since 2010, OSHA has recorded more than 100 safety and health violations at Dollar General stores nationwide, and assessed more than $1 million in proposed fines.

"Asking workers to walk steel and work in aerial lifts at heights of 60 feet without fall protection is reckless and needlessly exposes them to the risks of serious injury and death," said Larry Johnson, OSHA's area director in Columbus. "Temporary staffing agencies and host employers share control over the employee, and are jointly responsible for a temporary employee's safety and health. General contractors also have a responsibility to inspect job sites and ensure safety procedures are followed."

The agency cited Seneca Steel Erectors Inc. of Dublin, for eight serious and two repeated violations carrying proposed penalties of $92,286. The agency found Seneca failed to:
Ensure workers attached themselves to the basket of the aerial lift and stood firmly on the floor of the lift basket during operations. OSHA cited the company for these same violations in February 2013 at a job site in Dublin.
Provide required fall protection.
Prevent loads on the boom and lift basket from exceeding limits.
Train employees on how to operate aerial lifts and understand fall hazards.
Provide a qualified rigger.

View citations here.

OSHA also issued three serious violations to Construction Labor Contractors for failing to provide a qualified rigger, to train employees about fall hazards and proper operation of aerial lifts. OSHA has proposed penalties of $37,413 to Richfield-based company. View citations here.

The agency cited the Daimler Group for failing to train workers in fall hazards and conduct site inspections. The company faces penalties of $17,460. View citations here.

Federal safety and health officials are determined to reduce the numbers of preventable, fall-related deaths in the construction industry. OSHA offers a Stop Falls online resource with detailed information in English and Spanish on fall protection standards. The page provides fact sheets, posters and videos that illustrate various fall hazards and appropriate preventive measures. OSHA standards require that an effective form of fall protection be in use when workers perform construction activities 6 feet or more above the next lower level.

The ongoing Fall Prevention Campaign was developed in partnership with the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health and NIOSH's National Occupational Research Agenda program. Begun in 2012, the campaign provides employers with lifesaving information and educational materials on how to prevent falls, provide the right equipment for workers and train employees to use gear properly.

All three companies have 15 business days from receipt of its citations and penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA's area director, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

To ask questions, obtain compliance assistance, file a complaint, or report amputations, eye loss, workplace hospitalizations, fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to workers, the public should call OSHA's toll-free hotline at 800-321-OSHA (6742) or the agency's Columbus Area Office at (614) 469-5582.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA's role is to ensure these conditions for America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov.




As the construction industry continues to grow, falls continue to be the leading cause of death. Source: http://www.bls.gov

# # #
 

Things have changed a lot since then.

Slow down and move over when you see a police or other vehicle with its emergency lights on: Pickup Truck Driven by Minnesotan Rear-Ends Hudson, WI Police Squad Car on I-94 Bridge

Pickup Truck Driven by Minnesotan Rear-Ends Hudson, WI Police Squad Car on I-94 Bridge


 Photo: Hudson Police Department/Facebook

October 17, 2016 12:50 PM

Police in Hudson, Wisconsin, are reminding drivers to slow down after a Hudson squad car was rear-ended while an officer was helping a stranded motorist on the Interstate 94 bridge.

The crash was reported at 9:24 a.m. Monday on the Hudson Bridge in Washington County.

According to the Minnesota State Patrol, a Hudson police officer was helping with a stalled vehicle that was blocking the left lane of the bridge when a 2012 Ford pickup rear-ended the squad car, causing it to cross all lanes of traffic and crash into the right wall.

The state patrol says the squad’s emergency lights were activated at the time but that no one was inside.

The driver of the pickup was identified as 31-year-old Derik Sands of St. Paul. He had non-life threatening injuries, according to the state patrol.

“Please remember to slow down and move over when you see an emergency vehicle with its emergency lights on,” the Hudson Police Department posted on Facebook in response to the crash.

Massive natural gas explosion destroys the Dosha Salon Spa building in Portland, Oregon; 8 injured, including firefighters and police officers

Gas explosion destroys NW Portland building, 8 injured
Firefighters were inside the building at the time of the explosion

KOIN 6 News Staff Published: October 19, 2016, 9:54 am Updated: October 19, 2016, 1:01 pm




A gas explosion took place at NW 23rd and Glisan in Portland on Wednesday morning. October 19, 2016, (KOIN)
Related Coverage
 

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Three firefighters, 2 police officers and three others were injured in a large gas explosion on Wednesday morning in Northwest Portland. The gas explosion damaged buildings. (Twitter/@suppleleopard/PF&R)

The incident happened at NW 23rd and Glisan in the Dosha Salon Spa building. Portland Fire and Rescue confirmed the injuries and said no one died.

Lt. Rich Chatman said the injuries to the firefighters were not life-threatening and included broken legs. One of the firefighters was being taken into surgery on Wednesday afternoon for the broken leg.

The officer’s injuries were not significant, he said.

Two of the firefighters and the officer were taken to Legacy Emanuel hospital. The others were taken to OHSU.

By 12:30 p.m. only one person remained at Legacy Emmanuel. Three people were released and the 4th person is a firefighter suffering from a broken leg.

Firefighters were inside the building at the time of the explosion investigating a reported gas leak.

Around 100 firefighters were on still scene fighting hotspots and assessing damage around noon, Chatman said.  

The COO of Dosha Salon Spa Kimberly Johnson tells KOIN 6 News that the salon was evacuated before the explosion happened. She said all of her employees were safe.

Allison Williams, who was inside Dosha at the time, told KOIN 6 News, “We came in to start our day at 9 a.m. and smelled something funny, so we called the gas company. They promptly told us to get out of the building. We were outside and not that far from the building when we heard and saw these huge booms, the building exploded, the glass was shattered and it instantly burst in flames. It was pretty scary.”

Williams said firefighters and police were already on scene to test for gas. Once the explosion happened, Williams said the firefighters “were instantly in action. Smoke made it hard to see, but they were instantly doing their job. They were amazing.”


Johnson said Dosha recently celebrated 25 years in business. They had a flood and recently rebuilt, she said, and had been back open for about the past 7 months.

The building has won many architectural award and currently has owner-occupants, Johnson said.

Employees at Portland Bagelworks say they were evacuated before the explosion as well and that all of their employees are accounted for. They tell KOIN 6 News a construction crew warned them to evacuate after hitting a gas line. This is what the building looked like before the gas explosion. October 19, 2016, (Google Maps)

Gas company NW Natural says a 3rd party caused damage to a gas line. The cause of the ignition is unknown and the gas is now off.

Many witnesses told KOIN 6 News they heard a loud explosion and buildings in the area shook. Plumes of smoke could be seen from many places in the city.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is on scene investigating the explosion. It is protocol for them to come when large explosions occur, Lt. Chatman told KOIN 6 News.

The three blocks surrounding the building in all directions are closed.