Hazard Communication


Worker's Death in Trench Leads to Contractor's $159,600 Fine

One employee died and another was hospitalized after wet, heavy soil collapsed into a deep trench while the men were installing a sewer pipe.

Robot System to Test 10,000 Chemicals for Toxicity

Several federal agencies, including the National Institutes of Health, recently unveiled a new high-speed robot screening system that will test 10,000 different chemicals for potential toxicity.

USFA Releases Fire Risk Reports

As part of its Topical Fire Report Series, the U.S. Fire Administration has issued three special reports that examine the risk of death or injury from fire by various demographics, such as age, race, and gender.

OSHA Issues Final Rule on Nuclear, Environmental Retaliation Complaints

The rule covers workers who voice concerns related to nuclear and environmental safety or security under clean air and water, safe drinking water, solid waste, and toxic substances, among others.

Amputation, LOTO Hazards Add Up to $49,900 Fine for Steel Company

The serious violations involve failing to properly implement a lockout/tagout program for energy sources, provide adequate guarding of belts and pulleys, and provide proper storage of flammable materials.

Oregon Workplace Fatality Rate Drops to Lowest Level on Record

To some degree, the total may be tied to the economic downturn and increased unemployment.

Worker Fatally Struck by Machine; Houston Firm Fined $79,400

OSHA's Houston South Area Office began its investigation on Sept. 14, 2010, at the company's South Freeway facility, where an employee died after a pallet-pulling machine came loose and struck him on the head.

Proposed Rule Would Require Emergency Notification Systems at Highway-Rail Grade Crossings

The proposal would require railroads to establish toll-free telephone numbers to allow the public to report malfunctioning highway-rail grade crossing warning signals, disabled vehicles blocking crossings, or any other unsafe conditions at crossings.



Alabama Company Cited for Ammonia Leak that Sickened 152 Workers

In August 2010, anhydrous ammonia leaked out of a 12-inch pipe located on the roof of a Millard Refrigerated Services facility, due to hydraulic shock within the pipe.

NIH Launches Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Cleanup Worker Health Study

A new study that will look at possible health effects of the Gulf of Mexico's Deepwater Horizon oil spill on 55,000 cleanup workers and volunteers began recently in towns across Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida.

Health Care Workers' Input on Hazardous Chemicals Sought

Results of the survey will help NIOSH better understand the extent to which health care workers may be exposed to chemical agents such as antineoplastic agents, anesthetic gases, surgical smoke, high-level disinfectants, chemical sterilants, and aerosolized medications.

The Anti Sleep Pilot application calculates your fatigue level while you are behind the wheel.

EH&S Apps for All Seasons

Traffic reports, CPR guidance, chemical safety data sheets, an OSHA general industry standards guide, and many more resources are a touch away.

USFA Releases Fire-Related Firefighter Injuries Report

FEMA's U.S. Fire Administration recently issued a special report examining the details of firefighter injuries sustained on the fireground or while responding to or returning from a fire incident. The report, titled "Fire-Related Firefighter Injuries Reported to NFIRS," was developed by USFA's National Fire Data Center.

Chemical Workers Perceive High Risk of Safety Threats, Study Says

Based on a series of seven focus group interviews the researchers facilitated in Belgium, it was suggested that workers' perceptions of risk are rarely taken into account when considering workplace prevention programs.

California Hospital Cited for Workplace Violence Violations

Cal/OSHA penalized the hospital for having an ineffective training program, incomplete and inadequate procedures to deal with safety concerns, and an “incomplete and untimely hazard correction for workplace violence exposures in the emergency department.”

Pizza Shell Maker Fined $195,200 for Recurring Hazards

The hazards included failing to install and maintain electrical equipment that was safe for a hazardous location, not replacing pressure relief devices on the oil separator for an ammonia refrigeration compressor, and failing to develop a written emergency action program.

Acquisition Brings New Chemical Compliance Company to the Fore

RightAnswer.com, Inc. recently acquired the Corporate Solutions group of Thomson Reuters' Healthcare & Science business, bringing it platforms that sell knowledge databases used by hospitals, first responders, industrial hygienists, chemical manufacturers, and others.

MSHA Announces January Impact Inspections Results

MSHA recently announced that federal inspectors issued 377 citations and orders during special impact inspections conducted at 15 coal and seven metal/nonmetal mine operations last month. The coal mines were issued 208 citations and seven orders; the metal/nonmetal mines were issued 148 citations and 14 orders.

Electrical, Repeat Hazards Lead to Mass. Hospital's $63,000 Fine

OSHA found that some hospital employees were exposed to potential electric shock, burns, arc flash incidents, and electrocution while changing circuit breakers on live electrical panels.

ASSE Offers Safety Tips for Winter Driving

In the U.S. each year, approximately 7,000 roadway deaths and 450,000 injuries are associated with poor weather-related driving conditions.

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