Enforcement


Preventing Leadership CTDs

Think that companies only suffer cumulative trauma disorders (CTDs) to their workers' backs, arms, and shoulders? Arguably, most professionals think of CTDs as physical problems — usually, strains and sprains. We explain in our injury-prevention work these ergonomic issues are like metal fatigue, akin to repetitively bending a piece of steel. One or a few creases may seem insignificant, but multiple bends can weaken, then eventually break, even the strongest superalloy. In the same vein, strawthat- broke-the-camel's-back leadership problems can contribute to organizational breakdown.

A ground crew member sprays deicing fluid on a passenger jet before takeoff.

NTSB Bears Down on Pilot Fatigue, Icing

Flying in icing conditions remains a "most wanted" safety improvement on the agency's list with a "red" classification indicating an unacceptable FAA response. NTSB investigated 69 accidents involving U.S.-registered aircraft and runway or surface icing in 1998-2007.

A combination of education, policy, enforcement, and technology will solve the distracted driving problem, GHSA Chairman Vernon F. Betkey, Jr. says.

Near-Term Solutions for Distracted Driving

Vernon F. Betkey, Jr., chairman of the Governors Highway Safety Association, predicts a combination of education, policy, enforcement, and technology will solve the problem, starting this year.

OSHA Documents Explain Disney Monorail Crash

The Orlando Sentinel reported last week that a combination of factors brought about the crash, with the root cause being failure by an overworked electrician to activate a track switching command, although he radioed that he had done so.

DOJ, IRS Break Up Alleged $30M Scam Involving Fictitious Methane Production

According to the government's lawsuit, the tax preparers allegedly sold interests in the fictive facilities to thousands of customers in at least 14 states across the country and prepared income tax returns for customers claiming tax credits based on the concocted methane sales.

Idaho Plant's Safety Record Generates 'Star' Power

"This facility has not experienced an injury resulting in lost time in the last four years," noted Richard S. Terrill, OSHA's regional administrator. "Their outstanding efforts have included significant management commitment and employee involvement."

Snowmobiles Recalled for Fire Hazard

Some 1,300 of the Model Year 2010 Arctic Cat 500 Sno Pro vehicles were sold at the company's dealerships nationwide from October 2009 to February 2010 for between $7,800 and $8,200.

EPA Fines Military for Underground Tank Violations at West Point

"Out of sight does not mean out of mind when it comes to underground petroleum storage tanks, and it is critical that facilities monitor their tanks and make sure they are not leaking," said EPA Regional Administrator Judith Enck.



UPS to Pay for Hazwaste Violations in Kansas

The company's location in Lenexa, Kan., generates hazardous and non-hazardous solid waste as a result of ordinary breakage, leakage, and spillage from the approximate 400,000 packages workers handle at the facility each day, EPA said.

Engine Firm Agrees to Clear the Air with $2.1 Million Settlement

EPA estimates that Cummins’ failure to install pollution control equipment in engines resulted in approximately 167 excess tons of nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbon emissions, and 30 excess tons of particulate matter emissions over the lifetime of the engines.

OSHRC Gains a Third Member

Cynthia L. Attwood is only the fourth woman to be named as a member in the agency's 38-year history.

N.Y. Concrete Manufacturer Cited for Chemical Hazards, Lack of PPE

Specifically, OSHA found blocked exits, workers lacking safety glasses and gloves while working with acid, unlabeled containers of hazardous chemicals, unmarked electrical equipment, exposed live electrical parts, and moisture in electrical equipment.

Gold mining companies are riding high. The South African mine safety regulations reportedly will be tightened this year.

Gold Companies' Results Shine

The industry giants, which mine all over the world, are reporting they achieved record earnings and higher production in 2009. Some don't break out safety performance in their results, but one of them, AngloGold Ashanti Ltd, said its lost-time injury rate improved 7 percent in the year's fourth quarter.

House Hearing Tuesday to Examine FMSHRC Backlog

About 16,000 contested cases await a decision at the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission, a number that has grown significantly since 2006, according to the U.S. House Education and Labor Committee.

Pig Feed Plant Fined for Combustible Dust Hazards

The willful violations cited address the inappropriate location of an air material separator that lacked explosion venting, an inadequate housekeeping program, and allowing combustible dusts to collect at depths greater than one-eighth of an inch.

TSA expanding ETD measures

TSA Expanding Explosive Trace Detection Measures at Airports Nationwide

Officers may swab a piece of luggage or passengers' hands, then use ETD technology to test for explosives. The swab is placed inside the ETD unit which analyzes the content for the presence of potential explosive residue. Since it will be used on a random basis, passengers should not expect to see the same thing at every airport or each time they travel, the agency said.

NTSB Adds Safety Recommendations to 'Most Wanted' List

Transit railcar safety, airline pilot proficiency oversight, commercial driver cell phone use, and intermodal transportation are highlighted in the list.

Asphalt Producer Paves the Way for Safety at Two St. Louis-Area Plants

"From the top down, Fred Weber Inc. has displayed outstanding effort in implementing a comprehensive safety and health management system," said Charles E. Adkins, OSHA's regional administrator in Kansas City, Mo. "The company is an exemplar of workplace safety."

FDA Warns about Serious Side Effects from Maalox Mix-Ups

The maker of Maalox brand products has agreed to change the name of Maalox Total Relief to one that does not include the word "Maalox" and will change the drug's packaging to avoid further confusion and health-related consequences.

Dallas-Based Oil & Gas Producer Cited for Spill Prevention Violations

EPA noted that a spill of only one gallon of oil can contaminate one million gallons of water. SPCC regulations require onshore oil production or bulk storage facilities to provide oil spill prevention, preparedness, and responses to prevent such discharges.

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