Industry News

August 27, 2010
Prevent OSHA violations and keep money in your pocket
A recent Webinar on OSHA violations proved to be quite informative. The headline said it all: "OSHA's Top 10 Most Cited Violations by Dealers."
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August 03, 2010
TK Carsites Appoints Vane Clayton Chairman of the Board to Oversee Day to Day Operations
Vane Clayton, an industry leader known for building profitable private and public growth companies joins TK Carsites, Inc. an Internet marketing company that focuses on SEO, Social Media, and website design for franchised and independent auto dealers.
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July 28, 2010
Proposed SPCC Compliance Date Amendment
On July 28, 2010, EPA proposed to extend the compliance date for certain facilities subject to the Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasure (SPCC) rule as part of EPA's multi-phased strategy to address concerns with the current SPCC regulation. Specifically, this proposed SPCC rule amendment extends the dates in §112.3 by which the owners or operators of certain SPCC regulated facilities must prepare or amend and implement an SPCC Plan, and reconciles the proposed compliance dates for new production facilities. The proposed compliance date for certain facilities is November 10, 2011.
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July 27, 2010
Sales Improvement of 25 Percent Drives Substantial Profit Increase at Group 1 Automotive in Second Quarter
HOUSTON, TX, Jul 27, 2010 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) -- Group 1 Automotive, Inc. /quotes/comstock/13*!gpi/quotes/nls/gpi (GPI 28.64, -0.01, -0.04%) , a Fortune 500 automotive retailer, today reported a second-quarter adjusted net income increase of 73.0 percent to $17.8 million, or $0.75 per diluted share, for the period ended June 30, 2010. This compares to adjusted net income of $10.3 million, or $0.44 per diluted share, for the second quarter of 2009. Including the $5.1 million net after-tax adjustments for non-cash asset impairment charges, losses on a dealership disposition and severance costs shown in the attached reconciliation table, net income for the second quarter of 2010 was $12.8 million, or $0.54 per diluted share.
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July 26, 2010
OSHA Penalties Can Be Imposed on Per-Affected-Worker Basis
Penalties for violating OSHA training requirements now can be imposed on a per-affected-worker basis, Textile Rental Services Association (TRSA) says.
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July 10, 2010
OSHA Unveils Dedicated Website for Whistleblowers
Reinforcing its belief that workers who "blow the whistle" on prohibited or unlawful practices in the workplace as well as safety and health discrimination play an important role in ensuring compliance with federal laws, OSHA has unveiled a dedicated Web address for its whistleblower protection program.
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June 24, 2010
EPA to Seek Employee Participation in Chemical Safety Inspections
EPA has released an interim guidance that would provide greater transparency in the agency’s chemical safety inspections process. Under the interim guidance, EPA inspectors will offer employees and employee representatives the opportunity to participate in chemical safety inspections.
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June 22, 2010
Tireman Auto to contest $177,000 OSHA citation
Tireman Auto Service Centers Ltd. will contest a $177,800 citation from the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration, according to an OSHA spokesman in Chicago. OSHA issued the citation April 28 in connection with an October 2009 accident at a Tireman Auto outlet. Four employees were injured when an agricultural tire they were servicing exploded, according to OSHA.
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May 27, 2010
OSHA assistant secretary Michaels Outlines Big Agenda, Cooperative Plans
Michaels hopes to accomplish better targeting of OSHA's enforcement within three years, as well as having an injury and illness prevention program (I2P2) standard in place and to have encouraged U.S. employers to embrace electronic recordkeeping of injuries and illnesses.
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May 24, 2010
OSHA proposes more than $60,000 in penalties against sign manufacturer for 19 safety violations
OSHA proposes more than $60,000 in penalties against Waukesha, Wis.-based Baird Display for 19 safety violations
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May 21, 2010
OSHA confirms hexavalent chromium notification requirements effective by June 15
OSHA has confirmed the June 15, 2010, effective date of its direct final rule revising the employee notification requirements in the exposure determination provisions of the Hexavalent Chromium (Cr(VI)) standards at 29 CFR 1910.1026, 29 CFR 1915.1026, and 29 CFR 1926.1126.
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May 18, 2010
Complaint to OSHA Leads to $135,900 citation for for Auto Parts Maker
OSHA has cited auto parts maker Sewon America Inc. in LaGrange, Ga., for a variety of safety violations after receiving a complaint. OSHA initiated a comprehensive inspection of the company's facility in March. Penalties total $135,900.
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May 18, 2010
OSHA increases penalties for safety violations
OSHA has announced a new program for “severe violators” and an increase in its penalty amounts. The changes, to be phased in over the next several months, are the result of a year-long OSHA study that found current assessed penalties “are too low to have an adequate deterrent effect,” according to the announcement.
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May 10, 2010
OSHA cites tire company for safety violations: $52,500 in penalties
US Department of Labor's OSHA cites Graham Tire Co. of Grand Island, Neb., for violations of OSH Act, Assessed penalties total $52,500
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April 28, 2010
OSHA to zero in on repeat violators
To reduce on-the-job fatalities, the government is launching an enforcement program to target repeat safety offenders and increase penalties.
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April 28, 2010
OSHA Fines Toledo Dealer in Ag Tire Incident
The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration has fined a Toledo, Ohio-area dealer $177,800 as the result of an October 2009 accident in which four employees were injured. .
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April 22, 2010
OSHA implements severe violator program and increased penalties
The new Severe Violator Enforcement Program is intended to focus OSHA enforcement resources on recalcitrant employers who endanger workers by demonstrating indifference to their responsibilities under the law. This supplemental enforcement tool includes increased OSHA inspections in these worksites, including mandatory OSHA follow-up inspections, and inspections of other worksites of the same employer where similar hazards and deficiencies may be present. SVEP will become effective within the next 45 days. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov/dep/svep-directive.pdf
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April 07, 2010
TK Carsites Wins Dealers' Choice Award for an Unprecedented 6th Year in a Row
TK Carsites Wins Dealers' Choice Award for an Unprecedented 6th Year in a Row
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March 24, 2010
What Does the New Healthcare Bill Mean for Employers?
Healthcare reform has less effect on employers than you might think. This KPA blog post lists the major impacts that the new healthcare bill will have on employers.
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March 16, 2010
Tire Company to Settle Hiring Discrimination Case
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission announced it has resolved its gender-based hiring class lawsuit against Les Schwab Tire Centers of Washington and Les Schwab Tire Warehouse Inc. for $2 million and other corrective measures.
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March 04, 2010
15,000 High Rate Workplaces Receiving OSHA Letters
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has identified and sent letters (letter10.html) to approximately 15,000 workplaces with the highest occupational injury and illness rates and is urging the employers to take action to remove hazards causing the high rates.
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March 03, 2010
Dealership to Pay $32,500 for Refusing to Hire Applicant with Perceived Disability
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) today announced the settlement of a lawsuit filed against Valley Isle Motors Ltd, a Maui-based car dealership, resulting in a $32,500 payment to a job applicant and other relief to remedy alleged disability discrimination.
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February 22, 2010
Government pays for shops to go green
As an environmentally conscious shop owner, paint supplier or contractor, you may be eligible for a valuable funding opportunity. There has never been a better time to tap into the lengthy list of government rebates, tax credits and other financial incentives designed to encourage shops to achieve federal, state and local compliance.
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January 24, 2010
Getting Ready for GHS
Recently, OSHA held a public hearing to propose a new rule that would align their Hazard Communication System (HCS), with the United Nation’s Globally Harmonized System (GHS). Like most companies adapting to the new OSHA, you are probably wondering what this will mean for you.
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January 21, 2010
Dealership manager charged with 67-count fraud indictment
A former manager at a Westminster car dealership has been charged with having customers sign fraudulent contracts and stealing the down payments for vehicles. He has been indicted on 67 counts, including identity theft, theft of more than $500, theft of between $1,000 and $10,000, forgery of private documents and making a false entry into a public record.
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January 18, 2010
2-Alarm Fire Burns At Car Dealership
HOUSTON -- Parts Warehouse At West Point Buick Lincoln Mercury Catches Fire. Fierce flames consumed part of a west Houston car dealership on Monday, KPRC Local 2 reported.
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January 14, 2010
Georgia Car Dealership to Pay $140,000 for Racial Harassment
Georgia Car Dealership to Pay $140,000 for Racial Harassment. EEOC Said Augusta Car Dealer Violated Federal Race Discrimination Law.
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January 08, 2010
Auto dealer to pay $85,000 to settle racial discrimination and retaliation suit
Auto Dealer to Pay $85,000 to settle racial discrimination and retaliation suit .
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January 07, 2010
Car dealer pays $1.5 million to settle discrimination suit
Arapahoe Motors, Inc., doing business as Ralph Schomp Automotive, will pay $1.505 million and furnish other relief to settle a sex and age discrimination lawsuit filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).
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January 04, 2010
KPA, TK Carsites Form Strategic Alliance
KPA and TK Carsites announced a strategic partnership today that combines the environmental, health, safety, and HR compliance and risk management services of KPA with the "front end" marketing and website development capabilities of TK Carsites.
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December 29, 2009
ASSE Offers Tips for Preventing Slips, Trips, Falls at Work
According to ASSE's Professional Safety Journal article "Slips, Trips & Falls in Construction & Mining: Causes & Controls," four factors can contribute to slip, trip, and fall hazards: 1) workers; 2) machines/equipment; 3) work environments; and 4) management.
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December 26, 2009
Dealers exempt from oversight in Financial Reform Bill
WASHINGTON — Led by NADA's strong grassroots efforts, auto dealers would be exempt from oversight by a new Consumer Financial Protection Agency (CFPA) under a sweeping overhaul of the nation's financial regulatory system passed by the U.S. House of Representatives on Dec. 11.
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December 22, 2009
COBRA Premium Subsidy Extended
The COBRA Premium Subsidy has been extended with President Obama signing into law on December 21st. The bill would extend the nine-month, 65 percent premium federal subsidy by six months. The change would apply to those who are involuntarily terminated through February 28, 2010, and would also would provide another six months of subsidized coverage for beneficiaries whose nine-month COBRA premium subsidy has run out.
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December 21, 2009
New Floor Safety Standard Released
Based on more than a decade of research by the National Floor Safety Institute, it is the first step in reducing pedestrian slip-and-fall injuries.
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December 14, 2009
Improve Insurance Coverage and Reduce Premiums with Risk Management Programs for Dealerships
KPA and Insurance Consultants of America (ICA) have formed an alliance to provide clients risk management and insurance consulting, along with EHS and HR compliance solutions that will improve coverage and reduced insurance costs for dealerships, manufacturers, and automotive services companies.
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December 09, 2009
Function specific DOT Hazmat Training for Dealerships
KPA released a new online industry and function specific Department of Transportation (DOT) Hazardous Materials training (hazmat training) course as part of its Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) program for dealerships.
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December 07, 2009
OSHA's Fall 2009 Agenda
On December 7th, the Department of Labor's semiannual agenda was made available The regulatory agenda is a listing of all the regulations the Department of Labor expects to have under active consideration for promulgation, proposal, or review during the coming one-year period.
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December 04, 2009
Obama picks Senate aide as NHTSA chief
Washington -- President Barack Obama announced tonight that henominated David L. Strickland, a senior Senate aide, as the nation's top auto regulator -- a post that has a critical impact on vehicle safety regulations.
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December 04, 2009
Beefed-up OSHA increasing its inspections
The Obama administration is asking Congress for a $50 million increase in OSHA’s budget for the federal fiscal year that began Oct. 1 to hire an additional 130 inspectors.
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December 04, 2009
David Michaels Confirmed as OSHA Administrator
On Dec. 3, the Senate voted to confirm David Michaels as the assistant secretary of labor for OSHA.
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December 01, 2009
OSHA levies more than $50,000 in fines against utility pole painting company
The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited utility equipment maintenance contractor Midsun Group Inc., Southington, Conn., with alleged serious and willful violations of federal workplace safety standards at worksites in Naperville, Ill., with proposed fines totaling $50,250.
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November 23, 2009
OSHA cites wheel repair shop $69k for repeat safety and health violations
The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is proposing $69,550 in penalties against Wheel Repair Solutions, doing business as World of Wheels & Hubcaps, for safety and health violations at its Decatur, Ga., location.
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November 19, 2009
Department of Labor hires 250 Wage and Hour inspectors
U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis issued a statement regarding the increased enforcement of the department's Wage and Hour Division, announcing that she "hired an additional 250 new wage and hour investigators, a staff increase of more than one third, to ensure that we promptly respond to complaints and can undertake more targeted enforcement."
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October 30, 2009
OSHA's Top 10 Most Cited Violations
The top 10 most cited OSHA violations were unveiled Oct. 27 at 97th annual National Safety Council (NSC) Congress and Expo in Orlando. Top items for dealerships: Hazard Communication, Respiratory Protection, Electrical - Wiring, Electrical - General.
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