Facility Safety


American Institute of Architects 2010 president George H. Miller was inaugurated Dec. 4, 2009.

New AIA President Promotes Safety, Sustainability

In an inaugural speech, George H. Miller called on members to design better schools, affordable housing, mass transportation, and sustainable communities that encourage better public health.

CSB Citgo Screenshot

CSB Releases Surveillance Video of CITGO Conflagration

"The camera footage shows the release and spread of the flammable vapor cloud and the moment when the flammable vapor was ignited. It shows just how severe the release and fire were during this incident," said CSB Chairman John Bresland, adding that one worker was critically burned.

Sunoco Refinery Fined $32,000 for Process Hazards

OSHA's Philadelphia Area Office initiated the investigation following an ethylene complex explosion in May 2009 at the company's refinery in Marcus Hook, Pa.

Singapore Task Force Unveils Fatal Falls Prevention Plan

All workplaces in Singapore would be required to implement Fall Protection Plans by 2015 under the plan published Dec. 2. While fatal falls have declined by 60 percent from a decade ago, the plan is meant to reduce them further.

Ballistic Missile Facility Earns Safety Kudos from OSHA

Among its many functions at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico, the Raytheon MCVC provides the necessary range interface for test plans and test management activities for on-range and environmental testing, and performs processing for Patriot As A Target missiles.

Refinery Fined $222,500 for Workers Burned by Boiler Spray, Other Hazards

The accident investigation, which was conducted by OSHA's Puerto Rico Area Office, resulted in citations for exposing workers to the hazards of hot water and steam condensate, not developing and documenting procedures to prevent the unintended release of hot water and steam, and not training workers on the safe application, usage, and removal of energy control devices.

FEMA Webinar to Examine Liability Issues in Emergency Involvement

The new live series of webinars from the agency's Community Preparedness Division are free to the first 500 visitors who enter the Web site at the time of the event.

An image of emergency medical personnel.

OSHA Issues Guidance for Safeguarding Emergency Medical Responders

Titled "Best Practices for Protecting EMS Responders During Treatment and Transport of Victims of Hazardous Substance Releases," the new guidance document addresses adequate training and personal protective equipment for emergency medical services responders who assist victims of hazardous substance release incidents.



Webcast Examines Safety Profession's Key Role in CSR, Sustainability Plans

"[W]e as safety professionals are part of the 'triple bottom line,'" said webcast presenter and Global Solutions Inc. President Kathy A. Seabrook, referring to the economic, environmental, and social components that make up businesses' corporate social responsibility and sustainability initiatives.

EPA Issues Caveat Emptor on H1N1 Disinfectants

There are no products registered by EPA for use in residential settings that will disinfect or sterilize the air or a room by fogging. Claims for disinfecting carpeting, drapes, and other porous surfaces are also false, the agency says.

Flexible Industrial Barriers

Flexibly Equipped

Ensuring food quality and safety oft en means the need to alter the physical space in plant or warehouse facilities, especially when temperature and humidity control is at stake. It's an unfortunate prospect for many because the traditional way of thinking is to take on costly and time-consuming construction projects involving solid insulated walls and/or rigid panelized structures.

An image of an occupant use fire hose and a fire extinguisher.

Fire Safety & Emergency Response

Occupant Use Fire Hoses Should They Stay or Go

As with any maintenance requirement, the intent of small hose inspection and testing is to ensure that they will reliably operate properly when called upon, which is even more critical for emergency response equipment.

The Future of Safety: 2010 and Beyond

The future will be defined by how organizations respond to globalization, culture and performance; prioritization of safety initiatives; development of employee engagement; and the relationship between organization and employee.

Personalized signs are a way to make a fundamental shift in the safety culture of a facility, Mitch Fein says.

The Personal Touch

"Companies are populating signs, posters, banners, and scoreboards with the children, and the wives, and the husbands within the facility, with a common theme about safety being a family value."

A Survivor's Story

The Philips Healthcare emergency response team saved Joe Moscato's life July 22, using an AED in a real emergency for the first time. Only one responder that day had prior health care experience.

DuPont Contest Seeks Innovations in Packaging

Packaging designers, converters, consumer good producers, retailers, and equipment manufacturers from around the world are encouraged to enter their new product packaging developments. There is no entry fee, and the deadline is Feb. 12, 2010.

EEA Has Plans in Place for 2010 Networking Expo

The inaugural event, designed for buyers and sellers of employee engagement products and services, will help attendees and exhibitors get to know one another as they engineer new ways to use rewards and recognition to drive performance, EEA says.

Electrical Contractor Achieves 2 Million Hours, No Lost Time

Safety Director Ted Sommer said the company "strives every day to meet our goal of zero incidents through preplanning, training, and open coordination among the trades."

Partnership Aims to Boost Safety in Construction of Peoria Airport Addition

"We want to ensure all construction companies -- big and small -- are prepared to effectively control the workplace hazards their employees may encounter," said Nick Walters, OSHA's area director in Peoria, Ill.

Campaign Promotes Banning of the Handshake

The Web site serving as ground central for the campaign includes tips on alternatives to handshaking and articles such as "History of the Handshake," "Famous People Who Don't Shake Hands," and "How Many Men Wash Their Hands After Using Toilet."

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