Philratelphia! Philadelphia is number one for share of households reporting evidence of mice and rats.

Aw rats! Philadelphia ranked #1 for rodents

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Tuesday, January 17, 2017 08:48PM

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) --

Philadelphia is the top city in the country...when it comes to rats.

According to Bloomberg, among 25 of the nation's largest metropolitan areas, Philly came in number one for share of households reporting evidence of mice and rats.

Boston, New York, and D.C. were next on the list.

As for roaches, Bloomberg, citing the government's American Housing Survey (AHS), says Philadelphia is number 13 in cockroach populations.

New Orleans came in number one on that list.

To ease your worries, the National Pest Management Association (NPMA), a non-profit organization, issued these rodent-proofing tips:

• Install door sweeps on exterior doors and repair damaged screens.

• Screen vents and openings to chimneys.

• Seal cracks and holes on the outside of the home, including areas where utilities and pipes enter the home, using caulk, steel wool or a combination of both. Also, pay attention to windows, doors, siding, behind chimneys and underneath the wood fascia for openings.

• Store food in airtight containers and dispose of garbage regularly in sealed receptacles.

• Keep attics, basements and crawl spaces well ventilated and dry.

• Replace loose mortar and weather stripping around the basement foundation and windows.

• Inspect items such as boxes, grocery bags and other packages brought into the home.

• Store firewood at least 20 feet away from the house and keep shrubbery trimmed and cut back from the house.

• If you suspect a rodent infestation in your home, contact a licensed pest professional to inspect and treat the pest problem.

Here are cockroach-proofing tips from the NPMA:

• The best advice for cockroach control is to practice good sanitation: vacuum often and keep a spotless kitchen.

• Tightly cover trashcans and take trash out of the home frequently.

• Seal all entrances around utility pipes and ventilate crawl spaces to prevent moisture buildup. Consider running a dehumidifier in areas such as basements and crawl spaces.

OSHA proposes nearly $89K penalty after finding concrete manufacturer, County Concrete Corp., again exposed workers to airborne silica

U.S. Department of Labor


January 17, 2017

OSHA proposes nearly $89K penalty after finding
concrete manufacturer, County Concrete Corp., again exposed workers to airborne silica 

Employer name:

County Concrete Corp. 

Inspection site:
64 Glenwood Pl.
East Orange, New Jersey

Citations issued: On Jan. 4, 2017, the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration issued citations for one repeat and two failure-to-abate violations.

Investigation findings: OSHA conducted an inspection on July 19, 2016, as a follow-up to the settlement of citations the company received in 2013. The agency issued citations to County Concrete in 2013 for 18 safety and health violations, and assessed $153,900 in penalties.

The agency cited the repeated violation because the company again failed to conduct annual tests to ensure that respirators fit employees properly while they were cleaning concrete mixers. Silica exposure can cause serious illnesses and damage to the respiratory system.

The failure-to-abate violations involved the company's failure to:

• Develop and implement a written respiratory protection program for employees required to wear respirators during concrete mixer cleaning operations.
• Provide medical evaluations for employees required to wear respirators to determine their ability to use them without their health being compromised.

These violations also were previously cited on Sept. 30, 2013.

Quote: "Our follow-up inspection found that two County Concrete employees were exposed to silica above the permissible limit as they cleaned concrete mixers. In 2013, OSHA cited this company for these same hazards," said Kris Hoffman, director of OSHA's Parsippany Area Office. "Employers must bear the responsibility of fully complying with respiratory protection requirements to protect the safety and health of their workers."

Proposed penalties: $88,544

The citations can be viewed at: https://www.osha.gov/ooc/citations/CountyConcreteCorp_1162893.pdf

The employer has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and proposed penalties to comply, request a 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 Parsippany office at 973-263-1003.

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.

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BHC Northwest Psychiatric Hospital LLC, doing business as Brooke Glen Behavioral Hospital fined $32K for exposing employees to workplace violence, other hazards

U.S. Department of Labor

January 17, 2017

OSHA fines Pennsylvania hospital $32K for exposing employees
to workplace violence, other hazards

Employer name:

BHC Northwest Psychiatric Hospital LLC, doing business as Brooke Glen Behavioral Hospital

Inspection site:

7170 Lafayette Ave.

Fort Washington, Pennsylvania

Citations issued: On Jan. 11, 2017, the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration issued citations for four serious violations.

Inspection findings: OSHA began its inspection on July 11, 2016, after receiving a complaint alleging that employees were exposed to workplace violence, and were not provided with clear access to restrooms.

OSHA cited the hospital under the OSH Act's General Duty Clause for exposing employees to the hazard workplace violence after the investigation found the facility had a number of incidents in which violence was committed by patients against employees. Incidents included employees being punched, bit, scratched, grabbed and hit with objects, resulting in serious injuries. In addition, the employer received citations for failing to provide personal protective equipment, allow bathroom access, and establish a comprehensive bloodborne pathogen program, failure to provide annual training and deficiencies in the content of the bloodborne pathogen training.

Quote: "Documented reports of violent incidents at this hospital reflect a lax approach to workplace safety. The hospital must take immediate action and put in place effective measures so that the hospital's employees can work safely." said Jean Kulp, director of OSHA's Allentown Office

Proposed penalties: $32,158

The citations can be viewed at:
https://www.osha.gov/ooc/citations/BHC_Northwest_Psychiatric_Hospital_LLC_1161234_0111_17.pdf

The employer has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and proposed penalties to comply, request a 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 Allentown office at 267-429-7542.

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.

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John's Used Autos and Parts LLC business' failure to follow required workplace safety standards allowed an employee to suffer fatal head injuries

U.S. Department of Labor


January 17, 2017 BOS 2017-010

OSHA: Employee's death at Bellingham auto parts business 'preventable'
Agency calls on employers to provide multi-piece tires and rims training, safeguards

BRAINTREE, Mass. - A Bellingham used auto parts business' failure to follow required workplace safety standards allowed an employee to suffer fatal head injuries, an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has found.

The employee was working at John's Used Autos and Parts LLC when he was struck in the head by a chain come-a-long device as he attempted to inflate and mount a multi-piece rim wheel on a vehicle on Oct. 31, 2016. He later died on Nov. 11. Inspectors from the agency's Braintree Area Office determined that the company failed to provide adequate training and safeguards to protect the deceased worker and other employees while they serviced rim wheels.

"This employee's death was preventable. Servicing rim wheels such as these is dangerous, exposing employees to struck-by and other hazards. An employer must train workers properly and equip them to do this kind of work safely before they start the job. I urge all employers performing this type of work to review their operations and take the required corrective action, so no other workers are killed," said James Mulligan, OSHA's area director for Boston and southeastern Massachusetts.

Specifically, the employer did not:

• Train and instruct the employees in correct and safe operating procedures for servicing multi-piece rim wheels.
• Establish safe operating procedures.
• Provide a restraining device for employees to use when inflating the tire.

The inspection also identified violations concerning lack of exit route signage, personal protective equipment, forklift training, electrical safety and training about hazardous chemicals in the workplace. Finally, the employer did not notify OSHA of the employee's death as required.

As a result of these conditions, OSHA cited John's Used Autos and Parts for 12 violations of workplace safety standards. Proposed penalties total $27,157. View the citations here.

John's Used Autos and Parts has 15 business days from receipt of the citations and proposed penalties to comply, meet with OSHA's area director, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

OSHA's On-site Consultation Program offers free and confidential advice on health and safety solutions to small and medium-sized employers with priority given to high-hazard worksites. On-site consultation services exist in every state, and they are independent from OSHA's enforcement efforts. Program consultants, employed by state agencies or universities, work with employers to identify workplace hazards, provide advice on compliance with OSHA standards, and assist in establishing safety and health management systems. Locate your state's program.

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 OSHA's Braintree Area Office at 617-565-6924.

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