Workers seen using inadequately guarded saws and grinders at ProMaxima Manufacturing Ltd in Houston, TX prompted an inspection by OSHA’s Houston South Area Office. That inspection resulted in proposed penalties against the company, totaling $47,700. According to a press release on OSHA.org, ProMaxima manufactures fitness equipment for various federal agencies.…
Slower than expected coal sales are to blame for a temporary layoff of workers at Blaschak Coal Corporation. According to an article on the RepublicanHerald.com, the layoff affects workers at the company’s three mining operations in Centralia, Primrose, and Lattimer. Blaschak’s president and chief executive officer is quoted in the…
According to an article on the RepublicanHerald.com, president and CEO of FesslerUSA, Walter Meck, announced last week that the garment company would be closing its doors at the end of this week. The company made it’s home here in Schuylkill County for 112 years. Fessler had employed 130 people including…
A new study released this week by NCCI Holdings Inc. shows that an aging workforce has less of a negative impact on workers’ comp claim than previously thought. According to an article on BusinessInsurance.com, the NCCI report found that workers across different ages share “remarkably similar” types of work injuries.…
With an Amazon fulfillment center in Hazleton, PA, we were happy to read the news on CNN.com that they plan to hire 50,000 seasonal workers across the U.S. With the holiday season approaching, the online retailer announced its seasonal hiring plan. The company currently employs 20,000 people in 40 fulfillment…
Pennsylvania has become the center of attention when it comes to drilling for natural gas. But some of that attention has turned negative as two federal lawsuits and a state investigation have shed light on possible pay abuses at companies tapping the Marcellus shale. According to an article on Equities.com,…
As the number of cases of a rare, noncontagious form of meningitis grow, some facilities that treat workers compensation claimants are identified as having received tainted medications. An article on BusinessInsurance.com has reported that some of these facilities are on a list provided by the Centers for Disease Control and…
Attorneys and staff of O’Connor Law helped to celebrate with residents of Berks County during the 9th Annual Latin Festival held at the First Energy Stadium in Reading, held on Sat., Sept. 29. The law firm’s booth, located next to the stage, provided a perfect view of the event while…
In July, an Alcoa worker was killed at a plant in Riverdale, Iowa, while operating a piece of equipment. According to an article on KWQC.com, the company now faces fines of over $38,000 as a result of serious violations found to be in connection with the accident. OSHA investigated the…
This week, the RepublicanHerald.com reported that local garment company FesslerUSA in Orwigsburg would soon be making critical decisions about its future. According to the article, rumors have been circulating that the company would be closing. A recent employee meeting included discussions of the troubles facing the company. “We faced enormous…