Hazard Communication


MSHA Reorganizes to Centralize Oversight of Assessments, Accountability Programs

"Some mines require targeted, enhanced enforcement methods. The formation of OAASEI will enable MSHA to better manage and coordinate its use of special enforcement tools against the most serious violators of the Mine Act," said Joseph A. Main, assistant secretary of labor for mine safety and health.

Kentucky Labor Cabinet Rolls Out Online Training

The agency's new training website offers training materials based on its regulations and developed in house. And in the future, the agency will offer training curricula that allow users to earn certificates of completion.

Norovirus Causes Most Hospital Infection Outbreaks, Study Says

Thirty-five percent of the 822 hospitals responding had investigated at least one outbreak in the previous two years.

Winter Weather Patterns Can Increase Risk for Flooding, FEMA Says

Across the country, particularly in the Midwest and Northeast, heavy snowfall, ice jams, rapid snowmelt, and intense rainstorms caused by fluctuating temperatures can all increase the likelihood and the severity of localized flooding.

New ASSE Podcasts Highlight Variety of Workplace Safety Topics

The free podcasts on a variety of occupational safety, health, and environmental topics are available at ASSE’s virtual classroom.

MSHA Begins Third Phase of 'Rules to Live By' Enforcement Initiative

The initiative will focus on 14 safety standards that were chosen because violations related to each have been cited as contributing to at least five mining accidents and at least five deaths during the 10-year period of Jan. 1, 2001, to Dec. 31, 2010.

OSHA Releases New Videos on Proper Use of Respirators

Topics include OSHA's Respiratory Standard, respirator use, training, fit-testing, and detecting counterfeit respirators.

Signs and labels provide 24/7/365 safety communications at facilities, in the field, and in multiple languages.

Visual Communications & Spill Containment Strategies and Techniques

For those unavoidable times when spills do occur, work areas that contain hazardous chemicals should have a properly labeled chemical spill response kit.



MSHA Releases Results of December Impact Inspections

Federal inspectors issued 321 citations and orders during special impact inspections conducted at 10 coal mines and three metal/nonmetal mines last month.

Fertilizer Producer Hit with $148,000 Fine for Process Safety Management Violations

Of 24 serious violations, those related to process safety management include incorrect and incomplete process and implementation diagrams, a deficient process hazard analysis of the system, and incomplete operating procedures.

NIOSH, NHCA Publish Hearing Protection Supplement

The supplement includes lessons learned from the use of new methodologies in studying hearing sensitivity after exposure to drug therapies that may cause hearing damage.

NYC Construction-Related Accidents Fell 18 Percent Last Year

Construction-related injuries also decreased across the city last year—falling from 165 reported accidents in 2010 to 152 in 2011, a reduction of 7.8 percent.

NIOSH Releases Handbook for Industrial Minerals Mining, Processing

The handbook's aim is to empower minerals industry personnel to apply state-of-the-art dust control technology to help reduce or eliminate mine and mill worker exposure to hazardous dust concentrations.

U.S. Work-Related Injuries, Illnesses Cost $250 Billion Annually: Study

The study suggests that the U.S. should place greater emphasis on reducing work-related injury and illnesses, especially since the costs have risen by more than $33 billion (inflation adjusted) since a 1992 analysis, the author said.

DOL Files Complaint against Super Market for 'Enterprise-Wide' Hazards

This request for enterprise-wide relief is based on hazards OSHA found during inspections of various DeMoulas stores, including the agency's most recent inspections at Market Basket stores in Rindge and Concord, N.H. Those inspections resulted in citations and proposed OSHA fines totaling $589,200.

OSHA Issues 19 Notices of Unsafe Working Conditions to Veterans Health Care Facility

"All employers, including federal employers, are responsible for knowing what hazards exist in their facilities and must take appropriate precautions by following OSHA standards so workers are not exposed to such risks," said Mark Hysell, director of OSHA's Eau Claire Area Office in Wisconsin.

Washington Dept. of Labor Launches Enforcement, Education Initiative for Primary Metals Industry

DOSH has created a new Web page offering training materials and other resources and developed a slideshow depicting two serious injuries due to molten metal.

OSHA Floors Tile Company with $318,000 Fine

American Marazzi Tile Inc. has been issued 25 safety and health violations for exposing workers to excessive noise levels, machine guarding hazards, and other conditions.

$147,840 in Fines Issued to Shipyard for Lack of Machine Guarding

OSHA began health and safety inspections in July as a follow-up to inspections conducted in March 2008. The 2008 inspections were initiated based on a referral from the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration, after a worker sustained an amputation injury.

Washington Department of Labor Adopts Hazardous Drugs Rule

The rule provides minimum requirements for developing a hazardous drugs control program. Employers, using a hazard assessment, will put programs in place to minimize or eliminate the hazardous exposures to their employees.

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