OSHA issues regulations regarding workplace deaths

The government issued new regulations Thursday that will require managers to file a detailed report within eight hours on fatal workplace accidents.

Severe on-the-job injuries that do not result in deaths but require hospitalization must be reported within 24 hours, under the new rules which take effect Jan. 1.

Such reports must be filed regardless of the size of the business to the Labor Department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

Previously, OSHA’s regulations required such reports only if three or more workers were killed or hospitalized as a result of a workplace accident.

Toyota Motor Sales issues recall for 130,000 2014 trucks

Toyota Motor Sales has issued a recall for 130,000 of its 2014 Tundra CrewMax cab and Double Cab trucks.

The vehicles may be equipped with the “center pillar garnish,” a plastic interior panel, that if improperly installed could impede the deployment or proper function of a side impact airbag.

Toyota said it is not aware of any crashes, injuries or fatalities caused by the defect. The company is contacting owners of the affected vehicles directly, and will inspect or replace the improperly installed parts.

Corn and soybean farmers to bring in largest harvest

The nation’s corn and soybean farmers will bring in by far the largest harvest ever this year, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said Thursday.

Corn farmers are expected to harvest nearly 14.4 billion bushels of corn, up from last year’s 13.9 billion bushel record. The yield of 172 bushels per acre is significantly higher than the previous record set in 2009 of 165 bushels per acre.

A massive harvest has been expected this year as adequate rain and cool temperatures made for favorable growing conditions.

More Americans sought jobless benefits last week

More people sought U.S. unemployment benefits last week, though the trend in benefit applications in the past month remained low.

The Labor Department says that weekly applications for unemployment aid rose 11,000 to a seasonally adjusted 315,000, the most since late June. Still, the four-week average of applications, a less volatile measure, rose just 750 to 304,000. The average is 7.1 percent lower than it was a year ago.

The data covers the week ended Sept. 6, which included the Labor Day holiday. Unemployment benefits data can be more volatile around holidays.

— From staff and news services