A lack of air conditioning is creating challenges for Indiana’s COVID-19 testing. The state-sponsored sites run by OptumServe were initially set up in National Guard armories. The problem now, according to State Health Commissioner Dr. Kris Box, is that few if any of those buildings are air conditioned, and there are OSHA guidelines that have to be followed to keep the workers safe.
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Pulaski County’s newest government building is costing more than originally thought. Last year, the county purchased the former Winamac Masonic Lodge and has since converted it into the West Annex, housing the Coroner’s Office and Emergency Management Agency.
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The Pulaski County Commissioners have once again asked for more information, before approving an OSHA-mandated shower installation at the Coroner’s Office. A $1,900 proposal from Action Plumbing was first presented to the commissioners back in July. Maintenance Director Mia Salyers gave some more information during last week’s meeting.
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A La Porte man died in a work site accident in Marshall County on Thursday, July 5.
Independence Day is just around the corner and there’s a chance you or your neighbors may have already broken out the fireworks. There’s nothing wrong with celebrating a little early, as long as you’re doing it safely.
In 2017, there were more than 90 fireworks-related injuries reported in Indiana on the Fourth of July, with one-third of those involving someone under the age of 18. Indiana Fire Marshal Jim Greeson has a few tips to ensure that preventable accidents don’t ruin your holiday. Continue reading
The North Judson Town Council members secured administrative assistance related to their $550,000 OCRA grant at their Monday night meeting. KIRPC Representative Shawn Cain presented a proposal for administrative services for the Community Development Block Grant funds that will be used for the town’s Drinking Water Project.
In previous meetings, Town Superintendent Marshall Horstmann has shared that the Drinking Water Project includes adding a backup generator for the water system to address an Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) requirement, rehabilitating some of the town’s wells and conducting external and internal upgrades to both water towers to bring them up to Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards. Continue reading
North Judson Town Council members will hold a public hearing regarding the KIRPC water project during their regularly scheduled meeting tonight at 6:30 p.m.
In a past meeting, Town Superintendent Marshal Horstmann stated that needed improvements include rehabilitating four wells and bringing both water towers back up to OSHA standards with internal and external painting, repairs and sandblasting. Continue reading
A public hearing was held over a $550,000 OCRA wastewater/drinking water grant during last week’s North Judson Town Council meeting.
Executive Director of Kankakee-Iroquois Regional Planning Commission Edwin Buswell provided some information about the proposed Office of Community and Rural Affairs grant, explaining that it will be utilized for various water system improvements. He said the local match of $1,268,000 would come from the state revolving loan fund.
One individual asked about the potential impact this could have on taxes. Buswell replied that he believes the rate increase that was implemented earlier this year would cover the cost and no additional increases will be necessary. Continue reading
Last week’s grain elevator accident in LaCrosse has prompted the Indiana Department of Labor to urge employers and employees to review grain handling facility hazards and how to prevent occupational injuries and fatalities.
Four employees at Co-Alliance were injured in an explosion caused by an industrial accident on April 15.
According to the Department of Labor, the grain handling industry is a high hazard industry where workers can be exposed to serious and life threatening hazards including fires and explosions from grain dust accumulation. Other hazards include suffocation from engulfment and entrapment in grain bins, falls from heights and crushing injuries, and amputations from equipment.
Walter Block presented the North Judson Town Board with information from a contractor’s union representative regarding procedures, violations and training for confined spaces.
Garland Rose had provided him with this information in regards to the recent incident in which a utility employee hung by his feet off a backhoe to remove a root ball that clogged a sewer line at American Oak. The employee of the department volunteered to be strapped to a strap by his feet suspended by a backhoe and he was lowered approximately 16 inches into a four-and-a-half foot manhole to retrieve the root ball. The employee successfully retrieved the obstruction within a matter of seconds and no injuries were reported.
