Hazard Communication


USFA Releases Restaurant Building Fires Report

The United States Fire Administration issued a special report today examining the characteristics of restaurant building fires. The report, titled "Restaurant Building Fires," was developed by USFA's National Fire Data Center and is based on 2007 to 2009 data from the National Fire Incident Reporting System.

Seating Company Slapped with $117,600 in Fines for Combustible Dust, Health Hazards

In addition to the combustible dust hazards, among 32 serious violations cited are failing to provide a lockout/tagout system to control the release of hazardous energy, ensure exits were unblocked, and protect employees from electrical and chemical hazards.

Marine Transportation Firm Cited for Slew of Safety Hazards

OSHA’s inspection, which began Oct. 4, 2010, found serious violations including the company’s failure to dike a fuel tank, ensure the bi-directional alarm on a powered industrial truck was not defective, and examine industrial trucks before they were put in service.

Failure-to-Abate Notices Add Up to $112,530 in Fines for N.J. Firm

OSHA initiated an inspection on Oct. 21, 2011, in response to a complaint alleging that the employer had not abated safety and health violations cited on July 14, 2010.

Five Texas Companies Cited Following Combustible Dust Flash Fire

OSHA's Dallas Area Office began the investigation Oct. 10, 2010, at the plant after workers were injured while vacuuming explosive dust to clean out a natural gas processing unit.

Treatment Center Cited for Workplace Violence Following Employee's Death

OSHA initiated an investigation in October 2010 following the death of one employee and the wounding of another, allegedly committed by a client at the addiction treatment facility.

OSHA, NIOSH Highlight Safe Practices for Handling Hazardous Drugs

Irreversible effects from work-related exposures even at low levels, without taking appropriate precautions, can include cancer, reproductive and developmental problems, allergic reactions, and others.

Study Finds Welders May be at Increased Risk for Brain Damage

Workers exposed to welding fumes may be at increased risk of damage to the same brain area harmed by Parkinson's disease, according to a new study by researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.



USFA Announces the 2011 Arson Awareness Week Theme

The U.S. Fire Administration recently announced the theme for the 2011 Arson Awareness Week: Working Together to Extinguish Serial Arson.

FDA Launches Consumer-Friendly Web Search

Consumers can now search for food and other product recalls easier and quicker on the Food and Drug Administration's website as search results now provide data from news releases and other recall announcements in the form of a table. That table organizes information from news releases on recalls since 2009 by date, product brand name, product description, reason for the recall and the recalling firm.

Chesar helps registrants complete Chemical Safety Assessments for the different uses of a substance as they prepare Chemical Safety Reports.

EU Agency Releases New Chemical Safety Assessment Tool

The European Chemicals Agency made the 1.1.3 version of Chesar available as a free download on April 6. It allows registrants to create full Chemical Safety Reports.

MSHA to Hold June Public Briefing on Upper Big Branch Mine Explosion

The Mine Safety and Health Administration recently announced that it will hold a briefing on June 29 to share with the public information gathered during the investigation of the explosion at the Upper Big Branch Mine in Raleigh County, W.Va.

Finding and fixing problems or hazards is the measurable heart of safety culture.

A Solution to Measure (and Improve) Safety Culture

Finding and fixing is the measurable heart of safety culture improvement.

Tyson Foods Cited for LOTO, Respiratory Protection Hazards

The company faces penalties totaling $45,000 as a result of an OSHA inspection conducted in October 2010.

New York Volunteer Agency Cited Following Worker's Fall

OSHA found that maintenance employees whose duties involved opening and closing rooftop skylights were exposed to falls due to the lack of access stairs between flat and sloped roofs atop the building.

CSB Releases Safety Video Detailing Bayer CropScience Explosion

The video features a detailed computer animation showing how a series of errors and deficiencies during a lengthy startup process resulted in a runaway chemical reaction inside a residue treater pressure vessel.

CPSC, HUD Issue Updated Remediation Protocol for Homes with Problem Drywall

The Consumer Product Safety Commission and the Department of Housing and Urban Development are issuing an updated remediation protocol for homes with problem drywall. A study conducted on behalf of CPSC by Sandia National Laboratories in New Mexico, finds no evidence of a safety hazard to home electrical systems.

Study Finds Drug-Related Poisoning Causes Nearly 700,000 ER Visits a Year

As new visits for drug-related poisoning in the United States continue to rise, the American College of Emergency Physicians and the American Association of Poison Control Centers are raising awareness about the dangers of drug poisoning as part of Poison Prevention Week (March 20-26).

Alabama Smelting Plant Cited for LOTO, Electrical Hazards

OSHA cited 17 serious safety violations, including failing to use lockout/tagout procedures of energy sources, guard open-sided floors and platforms, and provide standard railings for fixed stairways.

CPSC Launches Consumer Product Safety Information Database

The Consumer Product Safety Commission recently went live with the SaferProducts.gov database mandated by Congress, as part of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act. Consumers are encouraged to submit reports of harm or risks of harm, and to search for safety information on products they own or may be considering buying.

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