Industrial Hygiene


Biodiesel Plant Busted for Process Safety Management Deficiencies

After receiving a complaint, OSHA opened an inspection focused on the agency's process safety management standard for facilities that use hazardous chemicals. Proposed fines total $76,500.

Cal/OSHA Launches Confined Spaces Emphasis Program

The goals of the initiative are to increase enforcement efforts and provide resources, online materials, training, and consultation to prevent injuries and deaths in confined spaces.

Symposium to Explore Nanotechnology's Economic Impacts

Experts from around the world will participate in next month's International Symposium on Assessing the Economic Impact of Nanotechnology, which will be hosted by the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Imperial Sugar's CEO Highlights AIHce Program

John C. Sheptor, the June 20 general session keynote speaker, will discuss the company's safety transformation after the February 2008 dust explosion at its Port Wentworth, Ga., refinery.

Tool Cuts Silica Exposure for Concrete Drillers

The "highway drill jig" designed by Dr. David Rempel, Pam Susi, and Michael Cooper also is much easier on the construction laborers who are cutting these holes.

The cartridge life expectancy calculator is an interactive means to help determine when a specific cartridge should be replaced, based on length of use and concentration. (MSA photo)

How to Comply with Respiratory Protection Standards

A working knowledge of applicable standards is critical to a company's continued success. However, understanding your requirements isn't necessarily easy.

The law today requires that the atmosphere is tested to ensure that conditions are safe prior to entering the workspace. (Industrial Scientific photo)

My First Confined Space Experience

It was hot, and it immediately became difficult to breathe. The space inside the condenser was, in a word, confining.

Industrial Scientific Recalls GasBadge Plus Single-Gas Monitors

All current ones manufactured prior to February 2012 are affected. They may not properly indicate a low battery condition, causing a failure to alarm or a shutdown, according to the company.



EPA Penalizes Potato Company for Failing to Report Ammonia Release

On July 2, 2009, the company's facility released approximately 300 pounds of anhydrous ammonia into the environment, according to the EPA settlement.

MSHA Releases Results of December Impact Inspections

Federal inspectors issued 321 citations and orders during special impact inspections conducted at 10 coal mines and three metal/nonmetal mines last month.

Worker's Amputation in Turkey Shackle Leads to $318,000 Fine for Jennie-O

OSHA initiated an inspection after the July 20, 2011, incident, in which the employee’s arm allegedly became caught in an energized turkey shackle line while the employee was working alone in a confined space.

Washington Dept. of Labor Launches Enforcement, Education Initiative for Primary Metals Industry

DOSH has created a new Web page offering training materials and other resources and developed a slideshow depicting two serious injuries due to molten metal.

$147,840 in Fines Issued to Shipyard for Lack of Machine Guarding

OSHA began health and safety inspections in July as a follow-up to inspections conducted in March 2008. The 2008 inspections were initiated based on a referral from the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration, after a worker sustained an amputation injury.

Plastic Container Maker Busted for Fall, Shock Hazards

OSHA has issued the company 22 safety and health violations for exposing workers to a variety of hazards at its facility following an inspection that was initiated in August based on a complaint. Proposed penalties total $55,755.

N.Y. Felt Firm Fined $146,300 for Crushing, Machine Hazards

"Left uncorrected, these hazards expose employees to possible electrocution, crushing, and struck-by injuries, being caught in moving machine parts, hearing loss, falls, eye and hand injuries, asbestos, and lead," said Arthur Dube, OSHA's acting area director in Albany.

Kitchen Cabinet Company Nailed for Combustible Dust Hazards

OSHA's San Antonio Area Office initiated a safety and health inspection Aug. 16 in response to a complaint. Proposed penalties total $45,000.

CSB: Flash Fires at Hoeganaes Plant were Preventable

The CSB investigation found that significant amounts of fine iron powder had accumulated over time at the Hoeganaes facility, and that while the company knew from its own testing and experience with flash fires in the plant that the dust was combustible, it did not take the necessary action to reduce the hazards through engineering controls and basic housekeeping.

MSHA Releases Preliminary Fatality Data for 2011

Of the 37 fatalities reported, 12 occurred at surface coal mines, 11 at surface metal/nonmetal mines, nine at underground coal mines, and five at underground metal/nonmetal mines.

Worker Caught in Grain Bin Auger, S.D. Firm Fined $95,920

A worker at a grain handling facility was caught in a moving bin sweep auger and suffered severe injuries to his leg and arm.

Fatal Explosion Leads to Tennessee Firm's $46,600 Fine

OSHA opened an inspection following a July incident in which one worker died and another was severely burned when a spark from a light ignited paint vapors inside the compartment of a pontoon dredge, which was being painted to reduce corrosion.

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