An investigation found workers were exposed to potential fire and explosion hazards from combustible dust collected in an inadequately designed dust collection system and several electrical safety deficiencies, including unguarded or ungrounded live electrical parts and equipment, and workers not trained in electrical safety-related work practices, among other things.
The first of two important EU phase-in deadlines arrives a few days before the UNECE Sub-Committee of Experts on the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals meets Dec. 7-9 in Geneva.
The subcommittee chaired by co-sponsoring U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush, D-Ill., will hold a hearing July 29 on H.R. 5820.
The biennial review required by the Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002 is under way. Comments about biological agents or toxins that should be added or removed are due by Aug. 20.
Where do you start your investigation of the causes of occupational dermatitis in your shop? Too often, employees and supervisors jump to the wrong conclusion that the hand cleanser being used is the sole source of the health concern.
Proposed fines total $43,000 for violations including the company's failure to properly inspect piping used to transfer phosgene, perform a thorough process hazard analysis for its phosgene operation, train workers on hazards associated with phosgene, thoroughly inspect all high-risk sections of piping used to transfer oleum, and properly install energized electrical conductors.
According to EPA, the Wichita, Kan.-based plant generates significant quantities of hazardous waste, including industrial wastewater treatment filter sludge, primer residue waste containing chromium and cadmium, tetrachloroethylene and trichloroethylene waste from degreasers, and hazardous waste oil.
“Air pollution from particulate matter directly impacts the health of the community. It’s an especially serious issue in Maricopa County, where air quality does not meet the federal standard,” said EPA’s Jared Blumenfeld.
Motor carriers transporting the chemical during the planting and harvesting seasons would be exempt from FMCSA's hours of service regulations if they are moving it 100 miles or less to a local farm retailer or to the ultimate consumer.
Twenty-six health hazard evaluation investigators have visit the gulf region. This second interim report evaluated cases treated at a Venice, La., infirmary; June 8-10 offshore oil burns; and a barge oil vacuuming operation involving 18 barges moored together off Grand Isle, La.
The agency has proposed $279,000 in fines after finding that the company failed to conduct an incident investigation of a January 2001 anhydrous ammonia leak, certify or evaluate its process safety management program every three years as required, establish and implement procedures to maintain changes in the process, and provide and document employee training, among other citations.
According to DOJ and EPA, the company, which makes pipes, valves, fittings, fire hydrants, propane and compressed air tanks, and other similar products, emits pollutants such as particulate matter, VOCs, and mercury as a result of its manufacturing processes at various facilities.
The agency issued a willful violation for the Dallas company's failure to institute an effective hearing conservation program, plus 10 serious violations for failing to protect workers from being struck by flying objects, the unexpected release of energy while servicing and maintaining equipment, and exposure to blood and hazardous chemicals, among other charges.
Shortages and the exorbitantly high cost of labor for risky jobs such as mining, skyscraper construction, and rescue operations, among others, present a perfect opportunity for service robots to replace human personnel, says the report, which estimates a global bot market of $38.42 billion by 2015.
Effective July 8, a new directive extends to Sept. 30 a yearlong NEP. It specifies programmed inspections in three regions and unprogrammed ones in the other seven OSHA regions.
Implementing the preventive measures will reduce the number of Salmonella Enteritidis infections from eggs by nearly 60 percent, FDA says.
$152,100 in penalties were filed against Enbridge G&P (East Texas) LP, along with two alleged willful and five alleged serious violations, in connection with the death of Nalvester Maxie.
For fiscal year 2010, the program offers 28 targeted topic areas including crane safety, combustible dust, maritime, oil and gas, and eye safety.
The National Association of County & City Health Officials holds its annual meeting next week in Memphis with officials worried about 23,000 jobs lost thus far at local health departments nationwide.
As part of the settlement, the company agrees that it has corrected all deficiencies at both of its plants or will correct those deficiencies according to a set schedule. Originally, OSHA fined the company $8.8 million following the 2008 explosion that took 14 lives and seriously injured dozens of others at its plant in Port Wentworth, Ga.