Industrial Hygiene


Pungent Chemical at Sorrento Cheese Plant Leads to $241K Fine

The chemical in this case was anhydrous ammonia, which is used in the plant's refrigeration system.

The 40-foot Big Blue Bear outside the Colorado Convention Center in downtown Denver is the brainchild of Denver sculptor Lawrence Argent.

Safety 2012: The 'Bear' Necessities

This year's ASSE gathering in Denver will be something of a jungle, booked to the rafters.

Fire at N.H. Pellet Mill Leads to $147,000 Fine

The fire, which started in the pellet mill, was transported through several conveying systems to a pellet cooler and then to a dust collector, and caused several other flash fires.

Lead Exposure, Excessive Noise Leads to $106,600 Fine

An investigation that began on Oct. 24, 2011, found that employees were exposed to noise levels surpassing 85 decibels, as well as excessive airborne levels of lead and copper.

CSB Releases New Video on Hot Work Hazards

The video features a computer animation showing how hot work being conducted on top of a tank led to a deadly explosion that killed one contractor and injured another.

ACOEM Checklist Addresses Indoor Environmental Hazards

The checklist focuses on household environmental hazards such as tobacco smoke, radon, asbestos, lead, combustion gases, water pollution, household chemicals and pesticides, allergens, and food poisoning.

Lockout/Tagout Fatality Leads to $51,300 OSHA Fine

An OSHA investigation was initiated in November 2011 following the death of a worker who was crushed in a coating machine while attempting to clear a jam.

Judge Finds Pet Food Packaging Firm in Contempt of Court, Issues $42K Fine

The Alpha, Ill.-headquartered company has been ordered to pay $31,000 in fines for contempt and $10,964.95 in attorney's fees.



Ala. Famers Cooperative Hit with $191,700 OSHA Fine

Two willful safety violations, with penalties of $126,000, include failing to establish a housekeeping program to reduce the accumulation of combustible dust and use approved electrical equipment in the presence of combustible dust.

Combustible Dust Explosion at Pasta Plant Leads to $231K Penalty

Two maintenance employees conducting welding operations sustained serious burns to their upper bodies as the result of an explosion within a dust collector at the company's Steeleville, Ill., pasta manufacturing plant.

MSHA Publishes Final Rule on Examinations in Underground Coal Mines

The rule is geared to enhance miners' health and safety by requiring mine operators to identify and correct hazardous conditions and violations of nine health and safety standards that pose the greatest risk to miners.

HFES Participating in USA Science and Engineering Festival

The April 28-29 event in Washington, D.C., will feature 3,000 exhibits and stage demonstrations of everything from nanotechnology-enabled suits to a tool educating young computer users about correct posture.

The German asthma foundation (DAAB) has for some time advised that the harmful effects of particulate matter can be greatly reduced if carpeting is chosen over hard flooring options, because carpet can safely trap and immobilize particulates.

IAQ and Occupational Asthma

As a first step in looking at indoor air quality, employers would be well advised to examine NIOSH's eight-point plan for improving IAQ.

Two Workers Die from Hydrogen Sulfide Inhalation, Firm Fined $166,890

The workers died due to inhalation of hydrogen sulfide gas while cleaning an underground storm drain system at the recycling facility.

Foundry Faces $146,000 Fine after National Emphasis Program Crackdown

OSHA inspectors found that workers melting and pouring casts were exposed to mechanical, welding, electrical, and confined space hazards, as well as a lack of machine guarding.

GHS Rule Being Published March 26

"This will improve chemical hazard control programs across the country," OSHA Administrator Dr. David Michaels said March 20 as he and Secretary Solis described the "right to understand" final rule.

ECHA to Align Guidance with REACH Nanomaterials Reports

The agency will update its guidance on Information Requirements and Chemical Safety Assessment later this year. Its Committee for Risk Assessment also has adopted four opinions on proposed harmonized classification and labeling of industrial chemicals and pesticide active ingredients across Europe.

AIHA Announces 2012 Award Winners

Tan Kia Tang, deputy director of the Occupational Safety and Health Specialist Department at the Ministry of Manpower in Singapore, is the Yant Award winner.

NIOSH Changes Closed-Circuit Escape Respirator Requirements

The new requirements for testing and certification become effective in 30 days, but manufactures can make and sell currently approved respirators for the next three years.

REACH Report Gets Industry's Notice

The report released Feb. 28 by researchers from the Indiana University School of Public and Environmental Affairs and the IU European Union Center is being cited by the American Chemical Council as proof REACH won't work well in the US.

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