Enforcement


FDA Detects Melamine in Flavored Drink

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has increased inspections and product testing efforts in response to the melamine contamination problem which originated in Chinese dairy products. As a result, the agency has detected melamine contamination in Blue Cat Flavor Drinks.

NY Display Manufacturer Cited for Willful Eye Hazards

The company also faces 24 serious citations for missing or inadequate guarding of mechanical power presses and press brakes, uninspected power presses, and lack of a hearing conservation program, among other alleged violations. Total proposed fines exceed $70,000.

EPA Issues Final Yucca Mountain Radiation Standards

In addition to limiting the radioactive waste dose limit to 15 millirem per year for the first 10,000 years after disposal, the final standard will require the Department of Energy to consider the effects of climate change, earthquakes, volcanoes, and corrosion of the waste packages to safely contain the waste during a 1 million-year period.

FDA Issues Interim Melamine Safety, Risk Assessment

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued the results of its interim safety and risk assessment of melamine and melamine-related compounds in food, including infant formula.

OSHA Fines Pepsi-Cola, National Brand Beverage $195,000 for LOTO Violations

OSHA has cited Pepsi-Cola and National Brand Beverage Ltd. of Pennsauken with $195,000 in proposed penalties for alleged workplace safety and health violations.

DOL Issues Union Transparency Final Rule

Issued under the authority of the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act of 1959 (LMRDA), the final rule further implements the LMRDA goal of securing the right of labor union members to have meaningful information about union finances and expenditures.

Merit Energy and Shell to lower emissions after clean air violations

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced Thursday that it has reached an agreement with Merit Energy Co. LLC and Shell Exploration & Production Co. that resolves federal allegations that the companies continued to operate a facility in Michigan after Shell had made improper modifications to the plant.

FDA Awards $5.2 Million to Further Food, Feed Safety

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently announced the awarding of 17 one-year grants totaling $5.2 million to various state and local regulatory agencies to enhance food and feed safety.



OSHA Awards $6.7 Million in Susan Harwood Training Grants

OSHA recently awarded $6.7 million in Susan Harwood Training Grants to 36 recipients encompassing labor unions, community colleges, and other nonprofit organizations for safety and health training and educational programs.

EPA Fines 99 Cent Stores for Pesticide Violations

Store sold and distributed unregistered and misbranded products.

Wood-Fired Boiler Emissions Could Cost Company $96,041

According to EPA, the Mattoon, Wis.-based manufacturer failed to comply with certain requirements of its state operating permit for its wood-fired boiler that emits air pollutants, including particulate matter (smoke, dust, ash) into the atmosphere.

EPA Fines Firm for Failing to Report Info Needed by First Responders

"Facilities that use toxic chemicals must provide complete and accurate information about these chemicals so residents and emergency responders are aware of possible chemical hazards in the community," said Enrique Manzanilla, Communities and Ecosystems director for EPA's Pacific Southwest region.

Calif. Labor Commissioner Fines Agriculture Businesses More than $269,000

Officials with the California State Division of Labor Standards Enforcement (Labor Commissioner's Office) issued citations totaling more than $269,000 in fines to agriculture businesses in a statewide, two-day enforcement sweep.

AIHA Ensures its Labs Can be CPSC Third Party Registered

The American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) recently announced they are working on an action plan to address Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) requirements that were issued Monday, Sept. 22, for the accreditation of third party conformity assessment bodies (laboratories) to test children's products for lead content.

Peters Proposes New Motorcycle Helmet Safety Rule

U.S. Transportation Secretary Mary E. Peters yesterday proposed a new rule that she said will improve motorcycle safety by making it easier for riders to identify and use effective helmets, instead of unsafe, "novelty" helmets.

MSHA Extends Comment Period for Substance Abuse Rule to Oct. 29

The agency also will hold a public hearing on the proposal on Oct. 14 via webcast.

Del Monte Fined $190K for Hazardous Waste Storage, Handling Violations

EPA said that in August 2007 its inspectors found open and unlabeled containers of hazardous waste at the facility and evidence of a release of used oil, as well as stored containers of hazardous waste without a permit and stored hazardous waste for longer than the 90 days allowed. At the time of the inspection, the company had ceased its pineapple growing operations, the agency noted.

OSHA Forms New Alliance with American Fire Sprinkler Association

“Serious injuries can occur while performing tasks commonly associated with fire sprinkler installation. It is our goal to provide useful information and resources to protect the safety and health of these employees,” said OSHA chief Edwin Foulke Jr.

Boston-Area Contractors Turn Out En Masse for Crane Safety Training

A panel of OSHA and contractor representatives outlined the criteria and documentation needed in the selection of a tower crane versus a mobile crane or other equipment and reviewed and discussed the hazards associated with the different tower crane types.

CPSC Chief of Staff Resignation Effective Oct. 1

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Acting Chairman Nancy A. Nord recently announced that Quin Dodd will be leaving his position as CPSC Chief of Staff, effective Oct. 1. She also announced that Joseph Martyak, her Counsel, will assume the position of Chief of Staff at that time.

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