Employment Law News

U.S. Labor Department's OSHA Issues Multiple Safety Citations

The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has proposed $56,000 in fines against industrial gear manufacturer Rexnord Industries and $16,800 against J.M. Brennan Inc., both based in Milwaukee, for alleged serious violations of federal workplace safety standards following a gas explosion last year that claimed three lives.

A large explosion and fire occurred Dec. 6, 2006, at the Rexnord plant at 3001 W. Canal St. in Milwaukee during an operational test of a back-up propane gas system. An underground leak allowed gas to escape and ignite. OSHA's investigation resulted in eight serious violations of safety standards issued to Rexnord pertaining to employee and emergency training and response, failing to protect underground liquid propane piping from corrosion, and failure to conduct a site analysis to identify hazardous conditions and minimize employee exposure to explosion hazards.

OSHA also issued three serious violations to J.M. Brennan Inc. for its improper installation of underground liquid propane piping at the facility, as well as training and emergency response deficiencies. Read more at osha.gov.

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	Second Injury Fund benefits may be available durring employment However, after the first 450 weeks of benefits for total and permanent disability, wages from employment will be used to reduce your benefit amount. The reduction is based upon the percentage that your current earnings bear to those at the time of your being declared totally and permanently disabled.