"An unguarded excavation is always an imminent danger situation since its walls can collapse suddenly and with great force, crushing or burying workers before they can react or escape," said Patrick Griffin, OSHA's area director in Providence.
“The trenching and excavation safety video and handbook provide our industry with critically important information for maintaining a safe work-site environment,” said NAHB Chairman of the Board Sandy J. Dunn.
The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration recently announced the formation of a health and safety alliance with the Portland Cement Association (PCA), a membership association consisting of 30 companies operating 115 plants in 36 states.
The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration also said it will conduct a workshop about risks and mitigation in the first quarter of 2009.
OSHA's Dallas Area Office began its investigation following the May 13 incident that took place at a water treatment facility in Paris, Texas, where a diver's lifeline became entangled in the water pump of a 500,000-gallon in-ground water tank.
Installing an effective ventilation system and ensuring compressors used to supply breathing air are equipped with a high-temperature alarm or carbon monoxide alarm are among the agency's recommendations for lowering employees' risk of exposure. Using compressors that are not oil lubricated is another.
The association's 25th annual conference will take place in August at the same San Antonio convention center where ASSE's PDC will be held June 28-July 1, 2009.
Electronic tools helping small businesses evaluate workplace safety and health management programs was among the topics presented at a recent OSHA forum titled "Challenges Small Businesses Face in Complying with Regulations."
When it comes to hauling cargo such as liquefied natural gas (LNG), oil, or BTEX (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylenes), safety personnel must be made aware of all safety concerns, especially during transportation at sea. Marine personnel can potentially be exposed to dangers that include oxygen deficiency or enrichment, explosive gases, and toxic effects from cargo and maintenance chemicals.
The institute's researchers, along with industry and academia, have developed a training package to educate the mining community about some possible interventions beyond kneepads that may be used to help decrease knee injury rates.
MSHA's Safety Targets Training Program will focus on addressing and eliminating the most common causes of repeat fatal accidents that occurred from 2000 to 2008
The agency also will hold a public hearing on the proposal on Oct. 14 via webcast.
Carbon monoxide gas is colorless, tasteless, odorless and non-irritating and cannot be detected by any of the senses. Because it is not readily detected, employees can be exposed to very high levels without realizing there is a problem.
Specifically, the agencies signed partnerships with the Rocky Hill, Conn.-based Independent Electrical Contractors of New England Inc. (IECNE) and the Wethersfield-based Connecticut Office of Apprenticeship and Training (CTOAT).
Once the rule is in effect, teams must have twice as many gas detectors and carry more oxygen than is currently required.
Courses include a Demolition-Specific OSHA 10-Hour Certification, offered in both English and Spanish on Oct. 15 and training in confined space rescue and aerial lift equipment safety.
The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) earlier this week acknowledged that it has made a criminal referral of issues relating to the Crandall Canyon Mine to the United States attorney for the District of Utah in a motion filed with the federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission.
All working Australians should concentrate on and be involved in safety at their workplaces Oct. 19-25, the Australian Safety and Compensation Council says.
"There is no excuse for endangering employees and ignoring OSHA standards by having the proper safety equipment at the worksite but not using it," said Clyde Payne, OSHA's acting area director in Mobile, Ala.
"The sizable fines proposed here reflect the breadth of hazards found
during our inspections and the fact that the company had been cited
for similar conditions in the past," said Robert Kowalski, OSHA's area
director in Bridgeport, Conn.