“We typically hear about hot work accidents weekly," said CSB Investigations Supervisor Donald Holmstrom. "It has become one of the most significant types of incidents the CSB investigates, in terms of deaths and in terms of frequency.”
"Pollution prevention acts were put in place to protect our natural resources," said George E. B. Holding, U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina. "It is disheartening when we see companies and individuals knowingly and purposely dumping oil-contaminated waste into those resources."
According to a just released question-and-answer document, if the oil slick remains small in comparison to a typical hurricane's general environment and size (200 to 300 miles), the anticipated impact on the hurricane would be minimal.
On June 28 in Portland, Conn., the investigative board will hear preliminary findings about the gas purging explosion that killed six people Feb. 7 in Middletown and will consider urgent recommendation to OSHA and others.
An inspection of the company's petroleum additives manufacturing plant in Linden, N.J., led to citations for violations related to a deficient process safety management system.
The OSHA leader and Dr. John Howard, director of NIOSH, are working together on a broad front to make important changes in OSHA's approach and effectiveness, they said Wednesday in a joint AIHce appearance.
"This was a horrific and preventable situation," said Labor Secretary Hilda Solis. "The employer was aware of the hazards and knowingly and willfully sent workers into a confined space with an explosive and toxic atmosphere."
Training of cleanup employees is ongoing throughout the Gulf Coast region. The agency has officials monitoring the training and observing the cleanup efforts that are already underway.
"This is a landmark day in the history of Kansas City," EPA Regional Administrator Karl Brooks said of the 25-year improvement plan. "This agreement charts a course for the largest infrastructure project in the city's history, and what we believe to be one of the largest municipal green infrastructure projects undertaken anywhere in the nation."
The Connecticut-based metal finishing company also was cited for not establishing a regulated work area and ensuring contaminated protective clothing remained in the work area, and for not conducting cadmium exposure sampling.
USFA announced Lt. Donnie Caldwell, 74, of the Ghent Area Volunteer Fire Department died May 13 as the result of complications from injuries he sustained in the Jan. 30, 2007, propane explosion at the Little General Store.
EPA conducted an inspection of the company’s warehouse to determine its compliance with the federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. The inspection found several alleged violations, including storage of waste pharmaceuticals, including hazardous wastes, without a proper permit.
The union, which represents some 390,000 active members, said May 11 that it filed its petition last month with OSHA.
Inspections at the facility found improper bloodborne pathogens control, amputation hazards, noncompliant confined space entry, improper storage of fuel and oxygen, and more.
Specifically, the facility failed to adequately train workers on respirator selection, use, storage, and maintenance; did not supply positive-pressure filtered air to all work cabs; did not label containers of coke-contaminated clothing; allowed food and beverages to be consumed in an area with visible accumulations of coke-oven emissions; and more, according to investigators.
In its fifteenth OSHA inspection since 1974, the company was charged with nine willful, four repeat, and 17 serious violations, including hazards of confined space entry and combustible dust.
The settlement resolves the natural resource trustees' claims against the aerospace and defense company, which are contained in a complaint filed with the consent decree. The complaint asserts claims for natural resource damages under the Superfund statute, the Clean Water Act, the Oil Pollution Act, and Washington's Model Toxics Control Act.
EPA alleges that the company discharged partially treated slaughterhouse wastes into nearby waterways without a permit for an extended period, and it also exceeded the level of pollutants allowed by its permit on numerous occasions.
The MIOSHA investigation found the building was not completely inspected for asbestos. As a result, a major asbestos fiber release episode occurred, potentially exposing employees and building tenants to asbestos.
This contractor has been inspected by OSHA 25 times since 1991 and has been issued numerous willful, serious, and repeat violations, including many lead violations, the agency said.