Confined Spaces


Asphyxia Killed Three in Maryland Farm's Manure Pit

State police reported autopsies confirmed the deaths of a man and his teenage sons who were reported missing May 24 at the dairy farm.

Given the dangers and its large size and somewhat rural location, Clearwater Paper has had an on-site fire department for more than 30 years.

Prevention and Readiness at Clearwater Paper

With an average of 250 fire calls each year, quick response is vital to keep fires from spreading, says Brad Hukreide, fire chief at the Lewiston, Idaho, paper mill.

MSHA Files Complaint against Mining Firm to Reinstate Whistleblower

MSHA said that a miner had engaged in protected activity when he alerted the company about unresolved safety problems.

Feed Supplier Fined $157,500 after Worker Trapped in Cotton Bin

OSHA initiated an inspection in November 2011 after receiving a complaint that a worker had entered a milled cotton seed bin without preparation and appropriate equipment and became trapped and hung from a lanyard for a lengthy time.

Researchers Honored for Submarine Air Quality System

The U.S. Navy may deploy the nanotechnology-based system in its submarine fleet, according to the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, which participated in the project.

Pump Service Penalized Following Death of 19-year-old Worker

OSHA issued citations as the result of an inspection conducted after a 19-year-old worker died when an unprotected trench collapsed at a Wisconsin job site. Proposed fines total $137,000.

Trenching Hazards Unearthed at Georgia Worksite

The inspection was initiated as part of OSHA's National Emphasis Program on Trenching and Excavation. Proposed penalties total $45,000.

USFA Releases Residential Building Fires Report

Cooking is the leading cause of residential building fires (45 percent). Nearly all residential building cooking fires are small, confined fires (94 percent).



MSHA: 10 Mining Deaths in First Quarter of 2012

An uncharacteristic trend identified over the quarter is that five of these fatalities—three of them involving mine supervisors—occurred on five consecutive weekends.

CSB Releases New Video on Hot Work Hazards

The video features a computer animation showing how hot work being conducted on top of a tank led to a deadly explosion that killed one contractor and injured another.

Fire, Fall Hazards Unearthed at N.D. Oil Rig

Repeat violations include exposing employees to a potential 26-foot fall hazard as they worked on the drilling floor next to an open V-door and a non-functional eye wash station used to prevent injury in the event of corrosive materials entering the eyes.

PHMSA Proposes New Rule to Increase Enforcement of Pipeline Excavation Programs

The proposed rule will encourage states to strengthen their excavation damage prevention enforcement programs, provide more protection for underground pipelines, and allow for federal enforcement against violators in cases where state enforcement may not occur.

Auto Parts Maker Hit with $151K Fine for Lack of Personal Protective Gear

Willful safety violations are failing to train workers on safe electrical working practices for voltage testing and the use of required personal protective equipment.

MSHA Publishes Final Rule on Examinations in Underground Coal Mines

The rule is geared to enhance miners' health and safety by requiring mine operators to identify and correct hazardous conditions and violations of nine health and safety standards that pose the greatest risk to miners.

OSHA Soaks Truck Wash in Fines for 14 Safety Violations

Two repeat health violations, similar to violations cited in 2007, include failing to provide eye protection for workers using aluminum brightener and other corrosives and provide access to an emergency eyewash station.

NHTSA Launches Campaign to Prevent Child Heatstroke in Cars

Heatstroke is the leading cause of non-crash, vehicle-related deaths for children under the age of 14, with at least 33 fatalities reported in 2011.

MSHA: Advance Notification of Mine Inspectors Still a Problem

There have been several recent instances in which MSHA has been able to detect the occurrence of advance notice.

LA Fire Department Boosts Confined Space Awareness

Joining Cal/OSHA officials at a news conference, Battalion Chief Jack Wise said, "It is our experience that the victims, would-be rescuers, and co-workers either fail to adhere to their emergency plans or simply do not have a plan in place, with catastrophic results."

N.Y. Contractor Cited after Runaway Rail Car Injures Two Workers

OSHA found that the wheels of the rail car had not been chocked, and a safety chain had not been attached to prevent the car from rolling away while it was being disconnected from the rest of the train.

Two Workers Die from Hydrogen Sulfide Inhalation, Firm Fined $166,890

The workers died due to inhalation of hydrogen sulfide gas while cleaning an underground storm drain system at the recycling facility.

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