Hazard Communication


OSHA Launches Health, Safety Program Survey for Private Sector Employers

Questions include whether respondents already have a safety management system, whether they perform annual inspections, who manages safety at their establishments, and what kinds of hazards they encounter at their facilities.

Combustible dust fires are frequently precursor events to dust-related explosions, John Astad says. (NIST photo)

ComDust Group Wants Fire Input in OSHA's Standard

Some members of the LinkedIn Combustible Dust Policy Institute Group are concerned that the fire service may not be involved in discussions as the proposed standard is being developed.

Some Hidden Gems in AIHce 2011 Posters

For instance, IH consultants will be happy to know about the results of SKC Inc. research showing alternative air sampling bags work well.

Molten Metal Hazards Carry $178,500 in Fines for Foundry

OSHA has cited Multi-Cast Corp. for 13 safety and health violations, including failing to ensure foundry employees wore fire-retardant clothing and protective equipment while working with molten metal.

Comprehensive Silica Health Standard Coming Soon, OSHA's Chief Says

Assistant Secretary Michaels told AIHce 2011 attendees March 18 the proposal will be issued "in the next few months."

AIHce 2011: Nanotechnology Moving Out of Lab, Onto Shop Floor

As part of a Roundtable Discussion held Wednesday at the Oregon Convention Center, Geraci and a panel of scientists explored the topic of "Risk Assessment Applied to Engineered Nanomaterials: Managing Risk with Limited Data."

Study: How World Trade Center Evacuees Left WTC Area Following Attacks

A survivor survey of the World Trade Center attacks shows anticipating people stopping for information and the seeking out of others in crises are critical factors in emergency planning.

OSHA Reopens Public Record on MSD Column Proposed Rule

"The more feedback the agency receives from small businesses on this topic, the better informed we will be in crafting a proposed regulation that protects workers without overburdening employers," said Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health Dr. David Michaels.



Live from AIHce: Keynoter Calls for Safer Chemicals

Michael P. Wilson, associate director for Integrative Sciences at UC Berkeley's Center for Green Chemistry, observed that while the United States continues to lead the world in areas of occupational safety and health, the European Union has decidedly taken the global lead in chemicals policy initiatives with its adoption of REACH.

Kansas Beef Processor Hit with $176,400 Fine for Slew of Hazards

OSHA's inspection of the beef processing and packaging company was initiated in November 2010 under the agency's Site-Specific Targeting Program, through which OSHA focuses on employers with higher-than-average occupational injury and illness rates.

Little Progress on SDSs' Nano Information

One of the AIHce technical papers in which NIOSH personnel were involved provides a disappointing update on what the agency reported at the 2009 AIHce.

OSHA Blasts Best Buy Following Worker's 12-Foot Fall

The employee was stacking televisions on a storage rack while standing on an elevated powered industrial truck's platform when it suddenly tilted and caused the employee to fall approximately 12 feet.

DuPont, Contractor Cited Following Fatal Slurry Tank Explosion

An employee of contractor Mollenberg-Betz Inc. was performing welding atop a 10,000 gallon slurry tank when hot sparks ignited flammable vapors inside the tank, causing an explosion that killed him and injured another Mollenberg-Betz employee.

EU's June 1 Chemicals Deadline Looming

Producers and importers must notify the European Chemicals Agency by June 1 if any Substance of Very High Concern included in the Candidate List is present in their articles above 0.1 percent weight by weight and over 1 tonne per producer/importer per year.

The rule exempts the manufacture, import, or processing of small quantities of multi-walled carbon nanotubes solely for research and development.

EPA Issues SNUR for Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes

Effective June 6, the significant new use rule requires those intending to manufacture, import, or process them for an activity designated as a significant new use by the final rule to notify EPA at least 90 days in advance.

This Bayer MaterialScience LLC photo shows a portion of the Baytown, Texas plant.

Bayer MaterialScience Upgrading Baytown Plant

Reliability upgrades, quality and environmental improvements are planned at the 40-year-old facility, the company's largest U.S. manufacturing site. Its employees achieved their best safety record ever in 2010.

Facility Faces $72,000 Fine after Worker's Needlestick Injury

Twelve serious health violations include failing to offer the hepatitis B vaccination to a caregiver with occupational exposure to blood within 10 working days of initial assignment and train employees in the hazards of chemicals present in their workspaces.

N.Y. Apartment Complex Cited for Exposing Workers to Raw Sewage, Asbestos

"Our inspections found maintenance workers exposed to a variety of health and safety hazards while performing their duties, including stripping paint, removing drywall, and clearing basements of raw sewage that had backed up during heavy rains," said Kay Gee, OSHA's Manhattan area director.

Northwest Convergence

Innovation, integration, inspiration--and wood dust--will be in the spotlight this month at the 72nd American Industrial Hygiene Conference & Exposition.

Keeping the FUN in FUNdamentals

Try out these methods to make your hazard communication training fun and informative for employees.

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