Hazard Communication


FDA Approves HIV Blood, Tissue Screen Test

The Food and Drug Administration recently approved the cobas TaqScreen MPX Test, the first nucleic acid test that screens for the presence of two divergent types of HIV in donated blood plasma and tissue.

NCOSH, APHA Urge New Agenda for Protecting Workers

The seven goals listed today start with making protecting workers on the job a top priority for President Obama and the 111th Congress. Goal 3: Count all occupational injuries and illnesses.

Lasko Products Pays $500,000 Penalty for Failure to Report Defective Fans

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recently announced that Lasko Products Inc., of West Chester, Pa., has agreed to pay a $500,000 civil penalty. The penalty, which has been provisionally accepted by the Commission, settles allegations that the company failed to immediately report incidents about its defective portable fans.

Disaster Response Focus of New OSHA QuickCard

Depending upon the scope, complexity, and hazards associated with an incident, FEMA can activate OSHA to coordinate federal worker safety and health resources and technical assistance.

NSC Updates OSHA Walkthrough Training Program

The National Safety Council (NSC) is introducing two new versions of its OSHA Walkthrough for Industry training program. Like the original program, these versions are designed for educating new employees or refreshing the expertise of seasoned staff.

EPA Seeks 23 'Most Wanted' Fugitives for Environmental Crimes

The alleged violations include everything from the illegal transportation, treatment, and disposal of hazardous waste and other pollutants to conspiracy and mail fraud.

Rail Imminent Hazard Maximum Penalty Rising to $100,000

The Federal Railroad Administration filed a final rule to adjust its ordinary maximum and aggravated maximum penalties to amounts authorized by the Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008.

Notifier Recalls Fire Alarm Control Panels Due to Alert Failure

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Notifier, of Northford, Conn., has announced a voluntary safety recall of about 2,000 Notifier Fire Alarm Control Panels.



OSHA Cites Pa. Company for Safety, Health Violations

OSHA has cited Lloyd Industries Inc. for violations of the Occupational Safety and Health Act, and has proposed a total of $140,760 in penalties. The Montgomery facility, which manufactures fire and smoke dampers, has 50 employees.

AANS Offers Winter Sports Safety Tips

According to the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS), every year, thousands of adults and children are treated at U.S. hospital emergency rooms for head and neck injuries related to winter sports. As a result, many people are left with permanent health problems, are paralyzed, or lose their lives.

Atomic Skis USA Recalls Ski Bindings Due to Release, Fall Hazard

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with Atomic Skis GmbH, of Austri, have announced a voluntary recall of the Alpine Ski Bindings.

a stressed employee

European Employers, Workers Solving Stress Problem Together

What better way to start 2009 than by joining forces to curb the high level of stress today's workers experience on the job?

Fire Safety for Maintenance Operations

Smoke was billowing from the third-floor fire escape stairway of a hospital at 5 p.m. on a Friday. It is a scene I will always remember: Someone pulled a fire alarm, and soon the professional firefighters were dragging hoses as employees responded with hand-held fire extinguishers. Patients were moved to other floors, quickly and expertly. Years of training had come together in a fast facility response.

Q&A: Taking Safety to New Heights

Tower climbing has been called "the most dangerous profession." But Don Doty, chairman of the National Association of Tower Erectors, says the industry is much safer today than when NATE was formed. He discussed the turnaround and the state of safety in the industry in an Oct. 24, 2008, conversation and follow-up e-mail with Occupational Health & Safety's managing editor.

chemicals in 55-gallon drums

Britain Adjusting Chemical Hazard Regulations to GHS

A proposal out for comments will allow for the enforcement of the European Regulation on the Classification, Labelling and Packaging of Substances and Mixtures, which adopts the internationally agreed Global Harmonized System on the classification and labeling of chemicals.

EPA Notifies Governors, Tribes of Areas That Violate Fine Particle Standards

211 counties and parts of counties in the U.S. do not meet the agency’s PM 2.5 standards.

Research Urged to Improve MSD Reporting by Health Workers

An educator who has studied the problem extensively says safe patient handling laws gaining ground in U.S. states require better injury and illness data for health care workers, who frequently are reluctant to report their injuries.

Chemigation in action.

EPA Requests Comments on 'Chemigation' Labeling

The proposed guidance would supersede the existing agency guidance on this subject contained in Pesticide Registration Notice 87-1 (PRN 87-1) published March 11, 1987.

farm tractor

Campaign Puts UK Agricultural Safety in Spotlight in 2009

The Health and Safety Executive said 455 agricultural workers have died in the past decade, and the annual death toll has remained high.

Gift from EPA: Free Webcast on Oil Spill Prevention, Jan. 13

This four-hour event will cover major topics like SPCC plan basics, integrity testing, applicability, secondary containment, and recent rule revisions and will include a one-hour live question-and-answer session.

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