Industrial Hygiene


EPA Issues Cease and Desist Orders to Three Energy Companies

All three companies were found responsible for the unauthorized discharge of oil field brine into the tributaries of various creeks in Oklahoma and Texas generated by their production activities.

Gaining on Secondhand Smoke, But Thirdhand Now Feared

This third time is not a charm: Residual nicotine from tobacco smoke that clings to indoor surfaces reacts with the common air pollutant nitrous acid to form dangerous carcinogens.

Inspection at Alabama Plant Finds Amputation Hazards, Bloody Machinery

"Company management was aware of the requirements to establish a lockout program and did not take action," said Kurt Petermeyer, director of OSHA's Mobile (Ala.) Area Office.

chemicals in 55-gallon drums

GAO Recommends EPA Biomonitoring Upgrade

The Toxic Substances Control Act may allow EPA to obtain more useful data than it now gets about the health effects of commercial chemicals. But the extent of EPA's authority to collect such data is unclear and untested, a new Government Accountability Office report concludes.

The International Apparel Federation and two allied organizations organized the conference about U.S. and EU product safety and chemical safety regulations for apparel and footwear makers.

Fashionistas Talk Product Safety

The International Apparel Federation and two allied organizations have organized a conference Tuesday in Paris about product safety and chemical safety regulations in the United States and the European Union, while, outside, the big Texworld 2010 conference takes place.

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency ensures ships in the United Kingdom conform to UK and international safety rules.

Asbestos Rules Coming to UK Merchant, Fishing Fleets

After the Maritime and Coastguard Agency finishes its consultation with stakeholders, regulations could be in effect by Oct. 1 to implement EC Directive 83/477/EEC and protect workers from asbestos exposure.

EPA Proposes New Use Rule for Multi-walled Carbon Nanotubes

Anyone intending to manufacture, import, or process them for an activity that is designated as a significant new use would have to notify EPA at least 90 days in advance, giving the agency time to evaluate the intended use and bar it, if necessary.

Registration Opens for OH&S Virtual Event 2010

This April 7, 2010, all-day event will allow attendees to access product information and whitepapers, chat in real time with exhibitors, seek and share advice with other attendees, and learn about important industry developments taking place this year.



Breaking germ-carrying habits

Old Habits Die Hard—It's Time to Form New Ones!

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) tells us that proper hand washing is the single most important action each of us can perform to help stop the spread of diseases.

This personal confined space gas monitor from RKI Instruments Inc., the GX-2009, weighs only 4.6 ounces.

Confined Space Considerations for the Small Employer

A common failure of these programs is doing nothing, because it is easy to put this topic off during a tough economy.

Manhole Covers Plant Cited for Combustible Dust, Electrical Hazards

Agency inspectors found that combustible particulate solids, which were generated during trimming and repair operations, were not collected into an adequately designed dust collection system, were allowed to accumulate on machinery and surfaces, and were not adequately cleaned up to prevent such buildup.

Congressman Markey

Climate Change Summit on Tap in Boston

Speakers including Congressman Edward Markey (pictured), EPA's Gina McCarthy, the National Grid's Thomas King, and others will discuss the future of the low-carbon economy in an all-day event Feb. 12 at the Boston Harbor Hotel.

OSHA to Hold Informal Meetings on Proposed Combustible Dust Standard

The agency is conducting the two meetings in Atlanta to make it easier for families of those who perished in the 2008 Imperial Sugar Co. explosion in Port Wentworth, Ga., to attend.

Fire Log Manufacturer Feels OSHA's Heat After Worker's Burning

"OSHA determined that this company is fully aware of the deficiencies it has in its safety program and what needs to be changed to provide safe work conditions for employees but hasn't acted to correct those deficiencies," said Roberto Sanchez, director of the agency's area office in Birmingham, Ala.

Electrocution Hazards Propel Fines Against NY Helicopter Plant

OSHA agents found workers were exposed to dangers from the company's failure to first de-energize live electrical parts before having employees work on them, resulting in the issuance of a willful citation.

Maintenance Worker's Death Leads to 128 Citations

"The significant fines of $683,000 cannot replace this worker's life or bring peace to the family, but they will go a long way in letting this employer know disregarding worker safety and health will not be tolerated," said OSHA chief Dr. David Michaels.

HHA webinar

SGS Hosts Free Global Webinar on Detecting Hot Hydrogen Attack

Attendees will be presented with the different inspection methods for parent material as well as for welds and heat affected zones, along with advice on what to do if damage caused by HHA is found.

Fish Oil Producer Caught Failing to Report Sulfuric Acid Storage

In addition to paying a $13,166 penalty, the company agreed to provide more than $8,800 for training and equipment to the City of Hoquiam (Wash.) Fire Department to improve the department's capabilities in responding to hazardous materials emergencies.

ConocoPhillips Earns Kudos from OSHA

"This facility is not only the first oil and gas field operations for ConocoPhillips that has exceeded OSHA's VPP minimum standards, but the company has not had an OSHA recordable injury since 2005," said Dean McDaniel, OSHA's regional administrator in Dallas, Texas.

U.S. Files Major Settlements with Portland Cement, Container Glass Plants

"[T]hese settlements call for tough new controls and innovative technologies to cut down on harmful air emissions that threaten the health of millions of Americans," said Cynthia Giles, assistant administrator for EPA's Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance.

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