Hazmat


As of Dec. 1, 2010, companies in the European Union must apply CLP, the new European Regulation on Classification, Labelling and Packaging, to chemical substances.

Lots of GHS Progress Happening This Year

The first of two important EU phase-in deadlines arrives a few days before the UNECE Sub-Committee of Experts on the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals meets Dec. 7-9 in Geneva.

Toxic Substances Control Act Reform Bill Introduced

The subcommittee chaired by co-sponsoring U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush, D-Ill., will hold a hearing July 29 on H.R. 5820.

Home Depot Cited for Recurring Chemical Hazards in NY

The retail giant received two notices of failure to abate after a new inspection found that workers in the store's painting and plumbing departments still lacked suitable emergency drenching facilities and methylene chloride information and training.

Special Permits, Hearing Spotlight Hazmat Cargo Tanks

An Aug. 3-4 public hearing by the NTSB about an Indianapolis crash will look at design changes and tank crashworthiness standards. Meanwhile, PHMSA has proposed incorporating six special permits in the Hazardous Materials Regulations, mainly for agricultural shipments.

This CDC photo shows a Special Pathogens Branch researcher at work in a Biosafety Level 4 laboratory.

HHS Seeks Comments on Bioterror Select Agents List

The biennial review required by the Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002 is under way. Comments about biological agents or toxins that should be added or removed are due by Aug. 20.

DuPont Penalized Following Phosgene Fatality

Proposed fines total $43,000 for violations including the company's failure to properly inspect piping used to transfer phosgene, perform a thorough process hazard analysis for its phosgene operation, train workers on hazards associated with phosgene, thoroughly inspect all high-risk sections of piping used to transfer oleum, and properly install energized electrical conductors.

Jet Fuselage Manufacturer Pays $132K to Settle Hazwaste Issues in Kansas

According to EPA, the Wichita, Kan.-based plant generates significant quantities of hazardous waste, including industrial wastewater treatment filter sludge, primer residue waste containing chromium and cadmium, tetrachloroethylene and trichloroethylene waste from degreasers, and hazardous waste oil.

Arizona Builder Fined More than $100K for Violating Dust Control Measures

“Air pollution from particulate matter directly impacts the health of the community. It’s an especially serious issue in Maricopa County, where air quality does not meet the federal standard,” said EPA’s Jared Blumenfeld.



Exterminator to Pay $80,000 for Terminating Pregnant Pest Technician

According to EEOC, the employee informed her employer of a restriction against handling pesticides. The company honored her restriction for approximately six weeks and then terminated her employment, claiming it did not have enough work for her to perform with this restriction.

All five companies prosecuted in connection with the Dec. 11, 2005, explosion and fire at the Buncefield oil storage depot pleaded guilty or were found guilty by a jury.

Buncefield Defendants Fined $14.5 Million

The December 2005 explosion at the fuel storage depot in Hemel Hempstead, near London, is considered the most costly petrochemical accident ever in Britain, with an estimated total cost of almost $1.5 billion.

HOS Exemption Proposed for Short Anhydrous Ammonia Transport

Motor carriers transporting the chemical during the planting and harvesting seasons would be exempt from FMCSA's hours of service regulations if they are moving it 100 miles or less to a local farm retailer or to the ultimate consumer.

Second NIOSH Report on Oil Cleanup Pushes PPE

Twenty-six health hazard evaluation investigators have visit the gulf region. This second interim report evaluated cases treated at a Venice, La., infirmary; June 8-10 offshore oil burns; and a barge oil vacuuming operation involving 18 barges moored together off Grand Isle, La.

OSHA Hooks Seafood Company for PSM Hazards

The agency has proposed $279,000 in fines after finding that the company failed to conduct an incident investigation of a January 2001 anhydrous ammonia leak, certify or evaluate its process safety management program every three years as required, establish and implement procedures to maintain changes in the process, and provide and document employee training, among other citations.

Cast Iron Manufacturer Pays $4 Million to Resolve 400+ Violations in 14 States

According to DOJ and EPA, the company, which makes pipes, valves, fittings, fire hydrants, propane and compressed air tanks, and other similar products, emits pollutants such as particulate matter, VOCs, and mercury as a result of its manufacturing processes at various facilities.

Monsanto to Pay $2.5M for Distributing Misbranded Genetically Engineered Pesticide

The fine, levied after the company sold misbranded cotton seed to restricted counties in Texas, is the largest civil administrative penalty settlement ever received under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA).

OSHA is soliciting applications for $2.75 million in Susan Harwood Targeted Topic Training Grants.

$2.75 Million in Susan Harwood Training Grants Up for Grabs

For fiscal year 2010, the program offers 28 targeted topic areas including crane safety, combustible dust, maritime, oil and gas, and eye safety.

Smokeless Cigarettes Cause Plane Fire; Firm Fined $168,000

The smokeless cigarettes in the shipment contained alcohol, a flammable liquid, and a lithium battery, a hazardous material.

OSHA chief David Michaels

OSHA Chief Concerned Oil Spill Workers Being Short Shrifted on Training

For the HAZWOPER work at hand, the agency requires 40 hours of "rigorous" training, Michaels said, adding that reportedly "some are offering this training in significantly less than 40 hours, showing video presentations and offering only limited instruction."

Imperial Sugar has settled litigation stemming from the 2008 explosion at its Georgia plant in which 14 people died.

Imperial Sugar Settles with OSHA, Agrees to Pay $6.05 Million

As part of the settlement, the company agrees that it has corrected all deficiencies at both of its plants or will correct those deficiencies according to a set schedule. Originally, OSHA fined the company $8.8 million following the 2008 explosion that took 14 lives and seriously injured dozens of others at its plant in Port Wentworth, Ga.

Workshop to Investigate Impacts of Indoor Air Contaminants, Lead Paint

The half-day event will focus specifically on damage to building contents that can result from airborne contaminants and the ramifications to contractors of EPA’s Renovation, Repair, and Painting rule.

Featured

Artificial Intelligence

Webinars