Risk Management


Two Roofing Firms Face $295,000 in Fines Following Worker's Fatal 40-Foot Fall

"Falls are the number-one reason workers performing construction work are hurt or killed. There is no excuse for an employer in the construction industry to not provide the necessary equipment and training for workers performing roofing work," said Charles Adkins, OSHA's regional administrator in Kansas City, Mo.

MSHA Issues 550-Plus Violations in Recent Enforcement Sweep

"We are continuing to find serious threats to miners' safety and health," said Joseph A. Main, assistant secretary of labor for mine safety and health. "While some operators are finally getting the message, others are not."

NSC Aims to Reduce Teen Distracted Driving

Drivers between the ages of 15 and 20 are involved in fatal crashes at more than twice the rate as the rest of the population.

This PHMSA photo shows the point where a 30-inch crude oil pipeline of Enbridge Energy Partners ruptured near Marshall, Mich., on July 26, 2010, leaking 819,000 gallons. The agency issued its final Corrective Action Order to Enbridge on Sept. 22.

New Rules Coming for Onshore Hazardous Liquid Pipelines

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration may expand its definition of High Consequence Area, set leak detection requirements for all pipelines, and require measures to prevent stress corrosion cracking.

Noise Suppression Technologies, Inc. of Columbus, Ohio (www.noisesuppression.com) makes these Quilted Curtain Composites, which are used as enclosures to contain and absorb noise.

OSHA Shifts on Noise Exposure Standards

It is reversing the enforcement policy it has used since 1983, which allows most employers to use PPE and a hearing conservation program rather than engineering and administrative controls.

California Emphasis Program Confirms Refineries in Good Shape

An examination of 11 refineries by Cal/OSHA's Process Safety Management Unit found they are properly managing the risks that caused the April 2010 explosion at the Tesoro refinery in Anacortes, Wash., in which seven workers died.

The thrust of the recommendations by Lord Young, shown here, is to remove burdensome regulations and oversight from low-risk enterprises.

UK's Safety & Health Simplicity Era Begins

Lord Young's report delivered Oct. 15 recommends qualification requirements for health and safety consultants and a longer period, seven days, in which businesses would have to report an injury or accident to authorities.

Tile Company Earns OSHA Star

Dal-Tile Corp. in Gettysburg, Pa. has earned a star in OSHA's VPP.



Airline Fined $455,175 for Excessive Oil Consumption, Maintenance Violations

FAA alleges that Corporate Air operated the aircraft on at least 80 flights in spite of continued evidence of excessive oil consumption by the right engine.

Alarming Video Raises NATE's Ire

A posted "Stairway to Heaven" video that shows two lighting techs free climbing a broadcast tower is "erroneous and dangerous," the National Association of Tower Erectors said in a statement issued Thursday.

DOL Recovers More than $485,000 in Back Wages from New York Dollar Stores

"We took this legal action because, in the past, these defendants have professed to operate single establishments even though they are actually operating a large, multi-establishment retail enterprise with many locations," said Maria Rosado, director of the Wage and Hour Division's district office in New York City.

The website features training materials, resources, summary incident reports, statistics and trends, news, and general hazmat information.

Hazmat Fusion Center Launches Interactive Web Portal

The purpose of the website is to promote hazmat responder safety through a systematic approach to hazmat-response data collection, analyses, and information dissemination. The goal is to provide all hazmat responders with access to the same vital information in a timely manner

U.S. Gypsum Co. Wins OSHA Star

The company's office in Weirton, W.Va., recently received its flag representing "star" status in VPP.

Skydiving Company Lands $664,000 in Fines for FAA Safety Violations

FAA alleges that the company operated an aircraft on approximately 2,121 flights between March 21, 2008, and Nov. 4, 2009, with elevator control cables that were overdue for replacement and when the plane was not in compliance with Airworthiness Directives requiring visual inspections of the wing main spar, lower spar cap extensions, and wing support strut for possible corrosion.

The Many Faces of Fire Hazards in Industrial Settings

Because damage can be widespread and severe, responders need effective and rapid consequence modeling of the hazardous materials emanating from a fire.

Company Fined $188,500 for Exposing Workers to Lead, More

"Simsmetal East knowingly put its workers at risk by failing to protect them from overexposure to lead, which can cause brain damage, paralysis, kidney disease, and even death," said Kris Hoffman, director of OSHA's Parsippany Area Office in New Jersey.

The FAA proposed rule will require certificate holders with 10 or more helicopter air ambulances to establish operations control centers.

FAA Publishes New Air Ambulance Regulation

Making certificate holders with 10 or more helicopter air ambulances establish operations control centers is one facet of the proposal, which is intended to make helicopter air ambulance flights safer nationwide.

FDNY Fire Prevention Bureau Graduation Caps Week's Activities

National Fire Prevention Week 2010 started Oct. 5 with children taking the Junior Firefighter and EMT pledge and concluded with an Oct. 8 graduation ceremony.

Transportation Fatalities Drop in 2009; Pipeline, Marine Deaths Rise

"While statistics show that transportation fatalities have declined this past year, we continue to see far too many accidents in all segments of the transportation community,” said NTSB Chairman Deborah A. P. Hersman.

Obesity Drug Meridia Pulled from Market Due to Heart, Stroke Risks

“Meridia’s continued availability is not justified when you compare the very modest weight loss that people achieve on this drug to their risk of heart attack or stroke,” said John Jenkins, M.D., director of the Office of New Drugs in the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research

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