2nd Edition Monday Morning Newsletter

Good morning! We wanted to express our gratitude for the overwhelming support you showered upon us after our first Monday morning newsletter. Your encouragement has fueled our motivation to bring you another edition filled with value, knowledge, and entertainment. So, go ahead and pour yourself a steaming cup of coffee, because we're about to dive into an exciting journey together. Let's get started!

FOOD
Oompa Loompa, doompety doon’t.

We all remember the first time we stepped into that OSHA violating chocolate factory. It was mysterious, magical and down right unrealistically dangerous. Or at least we thought until we read about two outside workers who Augustus Gloop’ed themselves back in June 2022 at an M&M factory. Unfortunately, unlike the Wonka factory, OSHA does not sing a song about it. But they did slap Mars Wrigley with a $14,500 fine saying, “the workers were not authorized to work in the tanks and weren't trained on the proper safety procedures for the equipment”.

“Rotten Egg” smell before explosion

A devastating explosion at a Pennsylvania chocolate factory has been attributed to a natural gas leak from a faulty fitting, according to federal safety investigators. The blast, which resulted in the loss of seven lives and the destruction of one building, was caused by a fractured gas fitting that had been installed in 1982. Additionally, investigators discovered a small leak on a newer fitting that had been installed in 2021.

The older fitting, manufactured by DuPont, had a well-known history of cracking and had been flagged as having "poor performance" by the federal government in 2007. Despite this, it was not replaced during utility work two years ago and remained connected to the natural gas system. As a result, the R.M. Palmer Co. plant in West Reading now faces a fine of over $44,000 from the federal workplace safety agency for failing to evacuate before the explosion.

What makes this tragedy even more heartbreaking is that employees had reportedly raised concerns about a natural gas leak prior to the incident. The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration issued multiple citations to R.M. Palmer Co. for not heeding these warnings.

As investigations continue into the cause of the blast, it serves as a stark reminder of the importance of prioritizing safety measures and promptly addressing known issues. The loss of life and destruction caused by this preventable incident should serve as a call to action for all companies to prioritize the well-being of their employees and the communities they operate in.

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MANUFACTURING
Racing the OSHA GrandPrix

Ultium Cells LLC, the joint venture between General Motors and LG Energy Solution, is facing a wave of scrutiny from the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) following a devastating explosion and fire at their Warren auto battery manufacturing plant in March 2023. OSHA's inspections have uncovered a staggering 19 safety and health violations within just two weeks, highlighting failures in implementing safety procedures and standards for personal protective equipment. The proposed penalties amount to a hefty $270,091, as OSHA emphasizes the urgent need to reduce metal dust and protect workers from unsafe exposure.

This is not the first time the factory has come under OSHA's radar, as it has been cited a total of 11 times since its launch in August 2022. To make matters worse, a recent chemical spill involving hazardous materials has triggered further investigations by OSHA. With a series of concerns about workplace conditions and safety, Ultium Cells' ambitious plans for expansion in electric vehicle production are facing a challenging backdrop. Based on the smashing job being done already, I can’t wait to read about the performance of these vehicles.

Speaking of EV’s
We all know it’s an unwritten rule that if you mention EV’s you have to mention Tesla. So, on that note, workers at Tesla’s German Gigafactory have turned to their union over unsafe work conditions. According to reports the Tesla factory has an unusual number of injuries that have led to workers requiring to take three or more sick days.

Here is a list of some of the most sever injures:

• Serious burns

• incidents involving Hydrochloric Acid

• Amputated limbs

This isn’t the first time Tesla has made noise by violating workplace safety. Construction workers who helped build the Texas Gigafactory filed multiple complaints back in 2022. The reports range from the use of fake OSHA certificates to working on the roof with no lighting. I think it’s safe to say both Tesla and GM could take a page from Mercedes F1 team health and safety play book.

EXTREME WEATHER
How hot is too hot?

I know all our parents walked up hill, in two feet of snow everyday just to get to school. But maybe, just maybe our weather is a little worse.

As workers across the country face various hazards on the job, one danger seems to have slipped through the cracks: heat. While measures have been put in place to protect against falls and shocks, the issue of heat-related risks has been largely overlooked. This is particularly concerning in states like North Carolina, where the impact of climate change is intensifying. Surprisingly, there are no federal or state standards addressing this issue, leaving workers vulnerable.

OSHA and state agencies are facing resistance from industries who argue about the upfront costs of implementing heat standards. However, a recent report from actuarial consulting firm Milliman sheds light on the significant health-related costs of heat exposure in North Carolina's industries. By analyzing data from 2011 to 2018, the report establishes clear links between annual heat exposure and workers' compensation costs, with industries such as Agriculture, Construction, Cartage and Trucking, and Commercial Enterprises showing strong correlations. While some industries are taking steps to protect their workers from heat, it is crucial for labor agencies to prioritize the development of formal heat standards to ensure the well-being of workers.

Other extreme weather news 

• Most recently USPS response to extreme heat, or lack their of has come under scrutiny after the death of a Texas postal carrier.

• Army Field Support Battalion-Germany's safety expert, Tony Padilla, plays a crucial role in preventing injuries, occupational illnesses, and mishaps, especially in the face of approaching extreme winter conditions. 

• Experts from OSHA and CCOHS talk about the health effects of working in extreme cold in preparation for the winter season.

NEWS
Your Virtual Water Cooler

• Recent data suggests that the conventional approach to construction safety has become stagnant, necessitating a reevaluation. It’s time to reconsider your site safety.

• Hong Kong's labour chief open to revising safety codes for confined spaces after fatal incident.

• Cannabis cultivation: a budding industry with unexpected occupational hazards. Safety concerns arise amidst growth and processing developments.

• A poignant tribute, a steel ribbon etched with names, stands tall, immortalizing the fallen heroes of workplace safety.

• NSC urges employers to safeguard lone workers by embracing monitoring technologies for enhanced safety. Stay vigilant, stay secure!

• Maintaining a spick and span workplace not only uplifts spirits but also curbs risks by banishing clutter-induced hazards.

• Workplace anxiety is on the rise, with 40% of workers experiencing it and 65% blaming office interactions. Mental health issues now dominate workplace injuries, making up 52% of cases.

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