OSHA issued one willful and nine serious violations following a health inspection that found workers exposed to excessive noise levels and other hazards at the company's Houston facility.
"This will improve chemical hazard control programs across the country," OSHA Administrator Dr. David Michaels said March 20 as he and Secretary Solis described the "right to understand" final rule.
OSHA found numerous instances of unguarded moving machine parts and electrical hazards, including failing to train employees in electric safety-related work practices.
The agency will update its guidance on Information Requirements and Chemical Safety Assessment later this year. Its Committee for Risk Assessment also has adopted four opinions on proposed harmonized classification and labeling of industrial chemicals and pesticide active ingredients across Europe.
"Elimination of duplicative and unnecessarily burdensome rules will reduce costs for businesses and allow MIOSHA to focus on enforcing rules that are core to their mission of workplace safety," said Steven H. Hilfinger, chief regulatory officer and Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs director.
Tan Kia Tang, deputy director of the Occupational Safety and Health Specialist Department at the Ministry of Manpower in Singapore, is the Yant Award winner.
The center will help expand the Red Cross’s ability to engage with the public during emergencies. Tests run during recent tornadoes in the Midwest enabled Red Cross team members to determine where to position workers on the ground.
The report released Feb. 28 by researchers from the Indiana University School of Public and Environmental Affairs and the IU European Union Center is being cited by the American Chemical Council as proof REACH won't work well in the US.
The new policy is geared to enhance the role played by plant workers in determining root causes of incidents and promoting facility safety.
Since 2006, OSHA has conducted five fatality inspections at dairy farms in Wisconsin. Hazards cited have been related to animal handling, tractor rollover protection, and manure pits.
Extramural funding of nanotechnology-related research has been undertaken to help increase the knowledge of nanotechnology and manufactured nanomaterials as they relate to occupational safety and health.
The total is an increase from 2010’s all-time low of 17 deaths. That figure was likely tied, in part, to the economic downturn. In 2009, 31 people died on the job, and in 2008 there were 45 deaths.
Safety and health violations include inadequate lockout/tagout programs, fall protection, and noise sampling, among others. Proposed penalties total $174,600.
“Installing rollover protection on tractors and ensuring all farm workers and children are educated on farm safety practices is critical to reducing farm-related fatalities," said ASSE Agriculture Branch Chair Mike Wolf.
Federal inspectors issued 253 citations, orders, and safeguards during special impact inspections conducted at 12 coal mines and four metal/nonmetal mines in January.
The alliance is geared to address hazard communication and to increase awareness of the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS).
"International cooperation is a critical part of improving the safety and health of all workers," said NIOSH Director John Howard, M.D.
With the phased acceptance of GHS document, classification, and labeling standards, the next few years could see significant and sweeping changes.
"Allowing workers to come in contact with exposed and energized parts without appropriate personal protective equipment demonstrates a lack of concern for their safety," said George Yoksas, OSHA's area director in Milwaukee.
The violation was cited after an investigation prompted by a complaint determined that employees working on mold machines and exposed to hot temperatures that could result in burns were provided with ineffective personal protective equipment.