Industrial Hygiene


EPA Earmarks $7.1 Million to Clean Up Petroleum Leaks in Michigan

The greatest potential hazard from a leaking underground storage tank is that the petroleum or other hazardous substances might seep into the soil and contaminate groundwater, the source of drinking water for nearly one-third of all Americans, the agency noted.

the MSHA tutorial includes this image of a refuge chamber

MSHA Posts Refuge Chamber Guidance

A short tutorial added to the agency's Web site explains the requirements for these mine emrgency chambers and links to the rule requiring them.

this photo is displayed on the CSB page summarizing its investigatoin of the August 2008 explosion at the Bayer CropScience plant in Institute, W.Va.

Big MIC Reduction Promised at Bayer CropScience Plant

Company officials announced Aug. 26 that the Institute, W.Va., plant will reduce its average inventory of highly toxic methyl isocyanate by 80 percent.

Ali Rangwala, assistant professor of fire protection engineering at Worcester Polytechnic Institute

WPI Prof Receives NSF Award to Study Physics of Dust Explosions

"We will be creating a new experimental platform here at WPI that will allow us to look at the mechanics of fire phenomenon," said award recipient Ali Rangwala. "We will be carrying out experiments that have never been attempted before."

Makers of Landscaping Paraphernalia Charged with 142 Violations

Managers at the cited companies in Alabama, Georgia, and Mississippi "have displayed a systemic indifference to the safety and health of their own employees, resulting in a dangerous work environment," said Cindy Coe, OSHA's regional administrator in Atlanta.

West Virginia Town Sued for Violating Safe Drinking Water Act

The complaint alleges, among other things, that untreated sewage has flowed into residential yards, basements, streams, and the Tug Fork River.

ASSE Honors 16 Members for Safety Excellence

A committee of peers chose the candidates for their contributions to each of the society’s various practice specialties, covering diverse fields, from academics to transportation.

Alaska Occupational Safety Summit Set for Sept. 22-23

The fourth annual event will offer sessions on occupational safety and health management, OSHA compliance, risk reduction, crisis communication, environmental safety, hazards associated with stress-induced sleep deprivation and fatigue on the job, and more.



a tombstone

Solis: 3.6 Fatality Rate Not Good Enough

Although BLS' preliminary total of 5,071 deaths in 2008 means the fatal injury rate for U.S. workers dropped to 3.6 per 100,000 from the previous year's 4.0, celebration may be premature: Delayed processing by state agencies may bump the totals more than in past years, BLS said.

EPA Again Taking Comments on Perc in Drinking Water

Wednesday's notice opened a new comment period until Sept. 18 and noted EPA received 32,975 comment letters after announcing Oct. 10, 2008, a preliminary determination that perchlorate did not meet the second and third criteria for regulation. But 32,632 of those were mass-mailed opposing letters.

this is an example of a label that may be used to comply with the proposed EPA rule

Hearing on Labeling Rule Delayed to Oct. 7

Comment are now due by Nov. 4 on EPA's proposed rule, which would change the familiar NRR labels on hearing protection devices. The rule takes new technologies and Internet sales of HPDs into account.

Nursery Fined for Not Providing Its Pesticide Applicators with Safety Training

The Worker Protection Standard, part of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, contains requirements for the provision of pesticide safety training, decontamination supplies, and emergency medical assistance, as well as the notification of recent pesticide applications and the use of protective equipment.

Ohio Edison Agrees to Repower Plant with Renewable Biomass Fuel by 2012

DOJ says that once the switch is done, the R.E. Burger plant will be the largest coal-fired electric utility plant in the country to repower with renewable fuels and the first such plant at which greenhouse gas emissions will be reduced under a Clean Air Act consent decree.

this graphic from the Washington State Department of Ecology Web site depicts contamination at Hanford, including plutonium, strontium-90, and cyanide

'Landmark' Deal Puts Hanford Cleanup on Track

The settlement of Washington State's 2008 lawsuit against the Department of Energy recommits the federal government to a cleanup of groundwater and waste stored in tanks at the Hanford Site, officials said this week.

Chemical Weapons Destroyer Named One of Nation's Safest Worksites

"We run a lot of tough, dangerous operations where complicated things go on, and I know how hard it is to reach a level of excellence that you have here, to attain VPP Star status," said Stephen Kelly, Battelle senior vice president and president of Battelle National Security Global Business.

this sign indicates radioactive materials are used at the location

NRC to Webcast Meeting on Low-Level Waste Disposal Problems

The Oct. 7 public meeting will explore how hospitals, universities, and others who use radioactive materials in conducting research are affected by having limited access to low-level waste disposal facilities.

PCIH 2009 Heads to Vancouver

Industrial hygienists and environmental health and safety (EHS) professionals will gather in Vancouver, Canada, for the Professional Conference on Industrial Hygiene (PCIH), Oct. 3-6, 2009. PCIH will host more than 350 colleagues and is intended to help professionals stay abreast of current trends, find solutions to pressing issues, and network with experienced colleagues. Plus, attendees can earn up to 6 CM points.

a car repair shop was one of the places visited in HSEs hearing protection survey

Bad News for Workers in HSE Hearing Protection Field Study

The Health and Safety Laboratory study, posted today by the Health and Safety Executive, included outdoor and indoor workers, laboratory measurements of real-world attenuation, and some premises visited without warning.

NIOSH Re-Achieves 'Star' Status for Practicing What It Researches

"NIOSH continues to demonstrate its commitment to ensuring the safety of the employees by maintaining an injury and illness rate 52 percent below comparable industry rates," said OSHA Charleston Area Director Jeff Funke.

workers are shown on an active oil rig

Drilling Fluids' Health Risks Explained

A new online guide from the International Association of Oil & Gas Producers' Health Committee can help to limit workers' exposures to the fluids, which can produce a variety of health effects, including contact dermatitis.

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