Hazmat


Cesspool Violations Cause Stink for Hawaii Housing Corp.

Cesspools are used more widely in Hawaii than in any other state. Cesspools discharge raw sewage into the ground, allowing disease-causing pathogens and other contaminants to potentially pollute groundwater, streams, and the ocean.

OSHA Pounds Meat Manufacturer for Lockout Hazards

"C & F Packing has demonstrated a disregard for worker safety by placing workers at risk for serious injury from machine rotating parts," said OSHA Area Director Diane M. Turek in Des Plaines, Ill.

Deputy Assistant Secretary Jordan Barab indicated OSHA is concerned because inspectors found many violations.

OSHA Increasing Emphasis on Chemicals, Refineries

Deputy Assistant Secretary Jordan Barab updated attendees of the 2010 Mary Kay O'Connor Process Safety Center International Symposium about the two National Emphasis Programs, including the Chemical pilot NEP.

ATF National Response Team Activated to Investigate Mount Vernon Fire

The NRT works alongside its partners in reconstructing the scene, identifying the seat of the blast or the origin of the fire, conducting interviews, and sifting through debris to obtain evidence related to the explosion or fire.

Gun Powder Manufacturer Fined $1.2 Million Following Deadly Explosion

"Even after a prior incident in which a worker was seriously injured, and multiple warnings from its business partners and a former employee, this employer still decided against implementing safety measures," said Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA Dr. David Michaels.

The magazine includes articles about fall protection and hydrogen sulfide hazards.

ASSE Oil & Gas Practice Specialty Sharing Expertise

The new group has created committees representing upstream, midstream/pipeline, downstream, and international, and another committee will evaluate content for upcoming conferences and mini-symposia, Administrator Michael Farris writes in its latest online magazine.

NIOSH Evaluates Health Effects of BP Oil Spill Response Workers

An occupational health concern common among all Deepwater Horizon response workers was heat stress from work in a hot and humid environment.

MSHA Issues 550-Plus Violations in Recent Enforcement Sweep

"We are continuing to find serious threats to miners' safety and health," said Joseph A. Main, assistant secretary of labor for mine safety and health. "While some operators are finally getting the message, others are not."



This PHMSA photo shows the point where a 30-inch crude oil pipeline of Enbridge Energy Partners ruptured near Marshall, Mich., on July 26, 2010, leaking 819,000 gallons. The agency issued its final Corrective Action Order to Enbridge on Sept. 22.

New Rules Coming for Onshore Hazardous Liquid Pipelines

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration may expand its definition of High Consequence Area, set leak detection requirements for all pipelines, and require measures to prevent stress corrosion cracking.

Two New Standards Aid in Determination of Mercury in Crude Oils

ASTM D7622 and D7623 "should bring uniformity in testing across the industry," said David Hwang, vice chairman of Subcommittee D02.03 on Elemental Analysis.

California Emphasis Program Confirms Refineries in Good Shape

An examination of 11 refineries by Cal/OSHA's Process Safety Management Unit found they are properly managing the risks that caused the April 2010 explosion at the Tesoro refinery in Anacortes, Wash., in which seven workers died.

Company Faces OSHA Fine Following Fatal Flash Fire

"For the safety of all their workers, employers must be vigilant when workers enter confined spaces, and take effective and specific protective action," said Greg Baxter, OSHA's regional administrator in Denver.

Papers Due Nov. 1 for 2011 Hazmat Response Teams Conference

The deadline in IAFC's call for presentations is 11:59 p.m. EST on Nov. 1. The conference takes place May 18-22 in Baltimore.

EPA Taking Nominations for Acute Exposure Guidelines Panel

Members of this national advisory committee serve two-year terms and usually meet twice a year. They develop exposure guidelines for use in chemical emergency programs.

The website features training materials, resources, summary incident reports, statistics and trends, news, and general hazmat information.

Hazmat Fusion Center Launches Interactive Web Portal

The purpose of the website is to promote hazmat responder safety through a systematic approach to hazmat-response data collection, analyses, and information dissemination. The goal is to provide all hazmat responders with access to the same vital information in a timely manner

The Many Faces of Fire Hazards in Industrial Settings

Because damage can be widespread and severe, responders need effective and rapid consequence modeling of the hazardous materials emanating from a fire.

Individual compounds in corrosive drywall emissions are at low ppb levels.

AIHA White Paper Offers Drywall Guidance

Are sulfide gases produced by the corrosive drywall's reaction with metal surfaces a health hazard? We don't know yet.

DOE Withholds $3 Million from Contractor for Safety Violations

The Oct. 7 letter from the Office of Health, Safety and Security's acting enforcement chief to Savannah River Nuclear Solutions, LLC said SRNS "had extensive deficiencies" in hazard assessment and its electrical safety program.

Company Fined $188,500 for Exposing Workers to Lead, More

"Simsmetal East knowingly put its workers at risk by failing to protect them from overexposure to lead, which can cause brain damage, paralysis, kidney disease, and even death," said Kris Hoffman, director of OSHA's Parsippany Area Office in New Jersey.

Company Fined $78,000 for Worker's Chemical Burning, Other Hazards

If the proper safety precautions had been taken by management, this injury could have been prevented," said Bill Fulcher, director of OSHA's Atlanta-East Area Office.

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