Hazard Communication


Commenters Start to Attack DOL’s Risk Management Rule

Only a handful have shown up on www.regulations.gov, but those agree the rule from Secretary Elaine Chao's office should not go forward, and they ask for a public hearing.

Health Professionals Warned of BOLS Explosion Hazard

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a safety alert to health care professionals for disposable, battery-operated lavage systems (BOLSs), which are used in the OR, ER, burn units, and nursing units.

OTC Caution for Children Renewed as Flu Season Approaches

Ken Haller, M.D., associate professor of pediatrics at Saint Louis University, has an important reminder for parents as cold and flu season approaches: Skip the over-the-counter medications for children.

CDC Starts National Anti-MRSA Campaign

It's time to teach parents, through posters and other media, how to prevent these infections in their children, the agency has decided.

All Eyes on the Prize

Some of the nation’s leading experts on all of the facets of Hazard Communication— the regulations, classification schemes, warning labels, material safety data sheets, and authoring systems used for chemicals and mixtures around the world—will be meeting in Arlington, Va., this month.

FEMA Provides Disaster Debris Hotline for State, Local Governments

The Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency are asking state, tribal, and local officials with questions about the federal program for picking up disaster debris to call the FEMA Debris hotline. The number is 1-866-599-4832, and it is open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.

Lead Paint Test Kit Vendors: EPA Wants to Hear from You

The agency is asking lead-detection kit merchants to apply to have their test kits reviewed, and plans to recognize the accurate kits.

HSE Campaign Seeks to Retire 5,000 Old Ladders

The nationwide ladder exchange program offers owners up to 50 percent off the price of the new ladder they get in return. HSE is also tackling slips and falls.



HSC: Few Families Take Action to Prevent No. 1 Cause of Home Injury

"We want people, especially those caring for children and older adults, to understand that making a few simple behavioral changes and inexpensive home modifications can protect their loved ones against falls," said Home Safety Council President Meri-K Appy. "This is critical from early childhood to later in life--and all the years in between."

EPA Extends Comment Period for Soil Fumigant Safety Restrictions

In response to requests from groups representing manufacturers and users of the pesticides, the agency is extending the public comment period by an additional 45 days, closing on Oct. 30.

OSHA Offers Gustav Cleanup, Recovery Assistance

"Cleanup after a storm of this magnitude can be particularly dangerous, and employers and employees need to take the proper precautions to avoid serious injury," said OSHA chief Edwin G. Foulke Jr.

NIOSH Urged to Broaden Focus, Visibility of Injury Prevention Research

A panel formed by the Institute of Medicine and National Research Council also said the Traumatic Injury Research Program should study impact of changes in the nature of work.

Stone Products Firm Charged with Failing to Abate Hazcom Hazards

After a follow-up investigation, the company also was cited with serious and repeat violations. In all, OSHA proposed penalties of $40,600. The company is contesting the citations.

Food Safety Messages are Tailored to Generations X, Y

To bring food safety awareness to Generations X and Y and those who are employed in retail foodservices, Iowa State University Extension has turned to online video, with an eye toward making sure food safety messages reach all audiences.

Firm Outlines Steps for Preventing Arc Flash Loss

"Because our clients are asking us what they need to meet OSHA and NFPA regulations, we decided to write a white paper that would give executives and middle management the answers required to manage arc flash loss prevention," says co-author John Welch, manager of M.C. Dean Inc.'s Critical Power Group Atlanta.

Child Deaths Prompt CPSC Alert on Bassinets

Using its new authority under the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has issued a safety alert urging parents and caregivers to stop using convertible “close-sleeper/bedside sleeper” bassinets manufactured by Simplicity Inc., of Reading, Pa.

BLS: Workplace Homicides Up 13 Percent in 2007

The majority of workplace homicides occur during robberies. In general, workers engaged in an occupation in which cash transactions take place are at greatest risk.

California's Home Sharps Law Starts Today

The state's residents generate an estimated 400 million used sharps each year, many of which are improperly--and as of today illegally--disposed of as household trash.

Australia's Workers Urged to Focus on Safe Work Week

All working Australians should concentrate on and be involved in safety at their workplaces Oct. 19-25, the Australian Safety and Compensation Council says.

Former CSB Chair Carolyn Merritt Mourned

The chairman from August 2002 until August 2007 died Aug. 29 at age 61 after a long battle with breast cancer, CSB Chairman John Bresland announced Saturday.

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