Three separate companies were issued willful violations for failing to provide a competent person to supervise the removal of a ceiling that contained asbestos, to provide the required respiratory equipment, and to inform workers that the worksite contained asbestos.
In Georgia alone, the agency has conducted 32 visits to targeted sites during the 16-month period, issuing 311 citations, 90 percent of which are classified as willful, serious, repeat, or failure to abate.
As part of the association's ongoing efforts to provide cutting-edge educational opportunities, the American Industrial Hygiene Association recently announces its 2009 continuing education offerings. These professional development courses are designed to provide practitioners with specialized skills that enhance performance on the job while increasing knowledge and professionalism.
The Burley, Idaho-based worksite has not experienced an occupational injury or illness in the last four years, the agency said.
"While we share the goal of establishing permanent chemical security regulations, we are concerned several provisions in the legislation as introduced could undermine the important work that is already underway," said Marty Durbin, American Chemistry Council vice president of federal affairs.
The asbestos contamination there has been known for years, and a high-profile criminal trial ended in acquittals of W.R. Grace and three individuals and a dismissal of charges on Monday against a fourth defendant.
This special regional emphasis program will set targeted inspections in industries or workplaces where there is a potential for lead exposure, and also will cover complaints and referrals regarding lead exposure.
"Our inspections identified a large number of mechanical, respirator protection, electrical, lead, fire, explosive, and other hazards that must be effectively and continuously addressed to protect the workers at this plant from potentially deadly or disabling injuries and illnesses now and in the future," said Rosemarie Ohar, OSHA's area director in New Hampshire.
The presentation took place at a ceremony last Friday. This Friday, most state agencies will be closed as Michigan saves $21.7 million by requiring 37,400 employees to take a total of six unpaid furlough days this summer.
"Mike's long years of distinguished service are a credit to the Department of Labor," said Acting Assistant Secretary for OSHA Jordan Barab. "This award is a well-deserved tribute to a career spent ensuring that workers make it home from their jobs safe and healthy every day."
A federal inspection on April 6, 2009, found the site's field drainage system, oil traps, sumps, and skimmers were not regularly inspected and oil not properly removed, among other violations.
Even if you stopped by the AIHA's InfoCentral booth last week at the Toronto Convention Centre, chances are good that with all the other activities going on and all the other literature to browse in the Expo hall, some of the association's newest publications might have escaped your notice. But it's not too late.
On Aug. 11, from 2-4:30 p.m., ACGIH® will present a webinar focused on the critical role the environmental health and safety professional plays in planning for and responding to emergency situations.
Professionals often oppose a new name, new membership criteria, or a new mission statement for a professional organization in which they’ve invested, yet the announcement of an imminent switch to AIHA membership for around 1,500 ACGIH members barely made a ripple.
Mark your calendars. AIHce 2010 will take place May 22-27, 2010, in Colorado’s “Mile High City” with the Rocky Mountains serving as backdrop. It will be the 71st edition of the conference and only the second time it has ever been held in Denver, which was a much different city when the 30th AIHce was held there, back in the spring of 1969.
Now available from ACGIH®, the 2009 Guide to Occupational Exposure Values is a readily accessible reference for comparison of the most recently published values, including the 2009 Chemical Substance TLVs® from ACGIH; AIHA Workplace Environmental Exposure Limits (WEELs); the OSHA Final Rule PELs; RELs from NIOSH; MAKs from the German Commission for the Investigation of Health Hazards of Chemical Compounds in the Workplace; and carcinogenicity designations from ACGIH, OSHA, NIOSH, MAK, IARC, U.S. NTP, and U.S. EPA.
While it supports H.R. 2067 and the reform bill’s backing of higher OSHA penalties on employers whose willful violations result in a worker’s death, the association makes additional suggestions.
As tallied by AIHA, these professional development courses were tops in Toronto, having received the highest overall ratings from participants.
Among the many awards and recognitions bestowed last week in Toronto at AIHce 2009, this one was a first: AIHA awarded its inaugural Social Responsibility Award on June 2 to K.P. Nyati, president of Sustainability Solutions India, which is located in Delhi. The recipient accepted and expressed his thanks in a short video shown during Tuesday's opening session.