Hazard Communication


Coast Guard Issues Christmas Kayak Safety Advisory

"My goal is to intentionally dampen the excitement of launching any new boat," said USCG's Al Johnson, "unless the person is properly attired and prepared for sudden cold water immersion. It might sound excessive, but if it saves a life, it isn't."

CPSC Extends the Stay of Enforcement for Many Children's Products

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) voted unanimously (5-0) to extend a stay of enforcement on testing and certification of many regulated children's products. While enforcement of specific CPSC testing requirements has been stayed, the products must still comply with all applicable rules and bans.

Vicks Dayquil Cold & Flu Liquicaps Recalled

The Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with Procter & Gamble Co., of Cincinnati, Ohio, have announced a voluntary recall of Vicks Dayquil Cold & Flu 24-Count Bonus Pack Liquicaps.

USFA Releases 'Fire in the United States' Report

United States Fire Administrator Kelvin J. Cochran recently announced the availability of the fifteenth edition of Fire in the United States. This edition covers the 5-year period from 2003 to 2007, with a primary focus on 2007.

Power Company to Spend $93M to Resolve Clean Air Act Violations

The settlement is expected to reduce sulfur dioxide emissions by almost 35,000 tons per year -- the equivalent to the emissions from 500,000 heavy-duty semi trucks, which is more than all the trucks registered in Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, and Ohio combined.

Evonuk Oregon Hazelnuts Recalls Raw, Dry Roasted Hazelnut Kernels

Evonuk Oregon Hazelnuts of Eugene, Ore., is recalling 6,712.5 lbs. of raw and dry roasted hazelnut kernels because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail, or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems.

Printer Fined Nearly $160K for Not Providing PPE, Other Violations

Among other charges, the company faces citations for six willful violations that address its failure to provide adequate energy control procedures and a hearing conservation program.

The DOT Motorcoach Safety Action Plan lists numerous rulemaking and research efforts to be done in the next two years.

Senate Committee Advances CO Monitor, Bus Safety Bills

The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation moved two bills forward on Dec. 17 that will address carbon monoxide poisoning cases -- like home fires, they are a recognized winter danger -- and the safety of motorcoach operations.



California Dairy Gives County a Gas Detection System, Settling Case

As part of a settlement, an alleged violator may voluntarily agree to undertake an environmentally beneficial project related to the violation in exchange for mitigation of the penalty to be paid. This company chose to donate a RAE Systems gas monitoring system and 42 radiation pagers.

Tips to Protecting Hearing from Holiday Electronics

Parents and children giving or receiving an electronic device with music this holiday season should give their ears a gift as well by pre-setting the maximum decibel level to somewhere between one-half and two-thirds maximum volume.

A head shot of a snowman

Shoveling Snow Safely

The first major snowstorm of the season is a time of excitement and wonder for a child: snowball fights, sledding, and closed schools. For adults, it's the dreaded shoveling season complete with aching backs, frozen fingers, or worse.

Physicians Develop Fast Method to Estimate Blood Loss at Scene of Trauma

Determining blood loss at the scene of trauma can be critical to successful patient treatment. Health care workers such as emergency medical technicians have used visual estimation, which can be highly inaccurate, as their only means of determining volumes of blood loss. A new, simple method developed by UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School may drastically improve their accuracy.

Worker's Suffocation in Confined Space Leads to $120,700 Fine

Specifically, the employer did not evaluate permit-required confined space conditions by testing the atmospheric conditions in the boot pit for oxygen and carbon dioxide levels prior to entry, OSHA said.

Image of a window shade.

CPSC Announces Voluntary Recalls of Millions of Roman Shades Roll Up Blinds

The Consumer Product Safety Commission has announced that multiple firms are recalling millions of units of window coverings, including Roman shades and roll-up blinds, because they present a serious risk of strangulation to young children.

Welding, Scaffolding Among Issues Scheduled for Upcoming Maritime Committee

OSHA will hold a two-day Maritime Advisory Committee for Occupational Safety and Health (MACOSH) meeting Jan. 19-20, 2010, in Washington, D.C., to address welding, scaffolding, and other safety and health issues in maritime industries.

Ministers' Council Endorses Australia's Work Health and Safety Act

The endorsement establishes it as the model law for harmonizing OSH regulations nationwide. Subject to a four-month comment period late next year, the act will go into force on Jan. 1, 2012.

Tips for Safe Holiday Home Decorating

As the holiday season approaches, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is urging consumers to make safety a factor in holiday decorating. Whether it is careful candle placement or checking the warning label on the holiday lights, simple safety steps can go a long way in preventing fires and injuries this year.

Podcast Explores Link Between Cardiac Deaths, Holidays

Research has found that heart attacks peak during the winter months, and the prevailing hypothesis has been that cold temperatures stress the heart. But in 2004, researchers analyzed 12 years of Los Angeles County death certificates and found that heart attack deaths also rise in the balmy Los Angeles winters. What's more, cardiac deaths peak on Christmas and New Year's Day in L.A. County.

The Health and Safety Executive "Make the Promise" campaign urges British farmers to do everything possible to prevent themselves from being hurt at work.

UK Agricultural Safety Campaign Wins Gold Award

"Make the Promise" has persuaded 15,000 farmers thus far to promise to work safely for the sake of their families.

One-Fourth U.S. Adult Health Care Expenditures Associated with Disability

Slightly more than one quarter of U.S. adult health care spending was associated with disability in 2006, according to a new study by researchers at RTI International and the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention.

Featured

Artificial Intelligence