Hello, I'm Merriell
I'm a writer, journalist and editor with more than a decade of experience in the digital writing sphere.
Recent Articles
Mining incidents show value of lockout rules, pre-op inspections
The best stories and biggest fines of 2023
Multiple employers charged for worker deaths in 2023 shows OSHA isn't afraid of criminal referrals
When it comes to workplace fatalities, OSHA has showed over the past few years that it won’t hesitate to refer employers to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) for criminal enforcement.
The DOJ announced in March 2022 that it would be working more closely with OSHA on cases where criminal charges may be warranted and then followed through on that promise over the following years.
OSHA has the power to refer employers to the DOJ for criminal enforcement under the Occupational Safety and Health
The DOJ announced in March 2022 that it would be working more closely with OSHA on cases where criminal charges may be warranted and then followed through on that promise over the following years.
OSHA has the power to refer employers to the DOJ for criminal enforcement under the Occupational Safety and Health
These 2 extreme OSHA cases show how some employers still put production over safety
Safety professionals know that bypassing guards on equipment or splicing wires together for a makeshift extension cord are definite hazards that could lead to employee injuries.
However, these kinds of blatant safety violations still happen. Sometimes it isn’t the workers who are taking these shortcuts, but instead a management team who values production over safety.
Two recent decisions by judges for the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission (OSHRC) illustrate some extreme examples
However, these kinds of blatant safety violations still happen. Sometimes it isn’t the workers who are taking these shortcuts, but instead a management team who values production over safety.
Two recent decisions by judges for the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission (OSHRC) illustrate some extreme examples
5 safety issues that led to fatal liquid nitrogen release at Foundation Foods poultry plant
A fatal liquid nitrogen release at a poultry processing facility occurred because there was a single point of failure built into the freezer room and employees weren’t trained to identify the hazard.
The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) found that the incident that killed six workers in 2021 at the Foundation Food Group facility in Gainesville, Georgia was also due to a lack of process safety management policies.
Workers told to take break while maintenance worked on f
The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) found that the incident that killed six workers in 2021 at the Foundation Food Group facility in Gainesville, Georgia was also due to a lack of process safety management policies.
Workers told to take break while maintenance worked on f
Some parents questioning teacher reassignments, other changes at Northern Lebanon
Northern Lebanon parents may feel like a lot is changing this year when they get that first day of school report Monday night, and they wouldn’t be wrong.
After members of the school community contacted LDN about what was described as excessive teacher reassignments, we learned more teachers were moved for the 2018-19 school year compared to last year for several reasons.
“We have had teachers who have been reassigned to teach a different grade level within their area of certification,” Superi
After members of the school community contacted LDN about what was described as excessive teacher reassignments, we learned more teachers were moved for the 2018-19 school year compared to last year for several reasons.
“We have had teachers who have been reassigned to teach a different grade level within their area of certification,” Superi
The continuations continue in zoning hearing to decide the future of Royal Oaks Vineyard
The continuations continue in zoning hearing to decide the future of Royal Oaks Vineyard
After three previous hearings designed to decide the future of Royal Oaks Vineyard & Winery, the North Cornwall Zoning Hearing Board continued the proceedings again at a meeting Wednesday night.
But despite the lack of a decision, music will again be played in the Royal Oaks tasting room, according to the owner. Amplified music had been banned for the winery, which first opened its doors in June, following
After three previous hearings designed to decide the future of Royal Oaks Vineyard & Winery, the North Cornwall Zoning Hearing Board continued the proceedings again at a meeting Wednesday night.
But despite the lack of a decision, music will again be played in the Royal Oaks tasting room, according to the owner. Amplified music had been banned for the winery, which first opened its doors in June, following
Therapy ducks having positive impact on autistic boy's life, according to his mother
How much of an impact can caring for ducks have on an autistic boy’s life? A big impact, according to his mother.
“He has never been able to speak in public or to anyone he doesn’t know, but since these ducks have come into his life he will tell anyone that will listen (about them),” the boy’s mother, Tania Ortiz, said.
Ortiz and her family got their 11-year-old son, Coby, his first pair of ducks the day after Easter. The duck's names are Lucy and Ethel. Over the next few months, the number of
“He has never been able to speak in public or to anyone he doesn’t know, but since these ducks have come into his life he will tell anyone that will listen (about them),” the boy’s mother, Tania Ortiz, said.
Ortiz and her family got their 11-year-old son, Coby, his first pair of ducks the day after Easter. The duck's names are Lucy and Ethel. Over the next few months, the number of
Summer camp for heart patients is lionhearted
There is a summer camp nestled in an expanse of forest in South Londonderry Township that exists solely for a special group of children.
All of the children who attend the camp, called Camp Lionheart, are victims of heart disease.
“I went into cardiac arrest. I was playing basketball one day and it just happened. I was 14,” Cody Royer, who is now 15, said. “Coming to this camp lets me meet other kids like me who have heart conditions.”
The camp, which is in its second year, has 24 children ra
All of the children who attend the camp, called Camp Lionheart, are victims of heart disease.
“I went into cardiac arrest. I was playing basketball one day and it just happened. I was 14,” Cody Royer, who is now 15, said. “Coming to this camp lets me meet other kids like me who have heart conditions.”
The camp, which is in its second year, has 24 children ra
A little bit about me.
I'm an energetic and enthusiastic team player who specializes in writing and journalism. My passion for the English language is evident in the work I produce. I'm equally enamored of writing a press release for a client's latest product as I am for writing a news story about the training program of the local fire department. The challenge of getting my point across eloquently while still being succinct and clear is one of the things I love about writing. That translates into my editing / proofreading, too, since I get to take someone else's work and help them turn it into a shining example of the craft. I believe writing truly is a craft, and whether I'm writing or editing I approach the job as a craftsman seeking to fully realize the potential of his medium.
My dedication to this craft stems from my blue collar background - I worked in warehousing as both a laborer and team leader for over a decade before deciding to pursue my dream to become a writer.
I enjoy working with other people, so I feel just as comfortable being a part of a team as I do working alone. I've worked with a team where we were all on-site together and I've worked as part of a team where everyone was working remotely and communicating via email, messaging, and Skype calls. Both scenarios offer their own unique challenges, but, either way, the end results are always rewarding.