EPA's process of generating risk assessments -- which estimate the potential adverse effects posed by harmful chemicals found in the environment in order to protect public health -- is bogged down by unprecedented challenges, and as a decision-making tool it is often hindered by a disconnect between available scientific data and the information needs of officials, according to a new report from the National Research Council.
"Employees who were removing asbestos-containing materials at this site lacked basic safeguards that must be in place before performing such work," said Robert Kowalski, OSHA's area director in Bridgeport, Conn.
The National Association of Chemical Distributors’ (NACD) member companies announced reportable vehicular accidents or spills decreased by almost 19 percent, and recordable injuries due to vehicular accidents or transportation spills decreased by 23.5 percent from 2006, according to the just-released 2007 NACD Membership & Performance Data Report.
As part of the plea agreement, the company was ordered to pay a $350,000 fine and issue a public apology in an appropriate trade journal regarding the conviction.
Located in the Pocono Mountains, the facility performs metal fabrication for the military and has approximately 589 full-time employees.
OSHA has cited Florida Transportation Services for one willful and four serious safety violations. In May, three employees died after entering a cargo hold filled with argon gas.
"Because exposure to high levels of nitrates causes a wide range of illnesses and environmental damage, communities need to know when these chemicals have been released," said Enrique Manzanilla, Communities and Ecosystems Division director for EPA's Pacific Southwest region.
Two requests for comments by Jan. 15 or 16 are important to users of SCBAs and other protective respirators, and to the manufacturers. NIOSH may create a new subpart to the 42 CFR Part 84 standard for the suits.
The Northeast's rate of 4.9 injuries per 100 fires was more than twice the rate for the rest of the country, according to a summary published in the NFPA Journal's November/December issue.
Interestingly, the issue of emergency preparedness and response—previously one of the public policy issues most on members' minds—was nowhere near the top of the list of concerns in the latest survey.
The agency has developed a searchable database that pulls together publicly available information from various sources to help identify consumer and commercial products that contain mercury and their possible non-mercury alternatives.
The agency has determined that, for both substances, use without impervious gloves or a NIOSH-approved respirator with an APF of at least 10 may cause serious health effects.
The association's 25th annual conference will take place in August at the same San Antonio convention center where ASSE's PDC will be held June 28-July 1, 2009.
"Because exposure to high levels of copper, lead, and zinc compounds causes a wide range of illnesses and environmental damage, communities need to know if and when these chemicals have been released," said Enrique Manzanilla, Communities and Ecosystems Division director for EPA's Pacific Southwest region.
The alleged violations included improper PCB disposal, storage, marking, recordkeeping and marketing at several of MLGW’s facilities.
While noting that safety is currently not a NIST "core value," the NIST Blue Ribbon Commission on Management and Safety said that the Institute's staff is "eager, willing and ready" to embrace a stronger safety culture.
Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff, shown here, says the grants program has matured, moving "from capability building to performance-based planning and investment."
Employees, employers, and their families from the Hudson Valley and greater New York City area are invited to attend the second Hudson Valley Safety and Health Fair taking place today from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST, at the Westchester County Center in White Plains, N.Y.
The inclusion of hazardous pharmaceutical wastes in the rule is expected to provide relief in the management of P-listed pharmaceuticals by simplifying current requirements of large quantity generators.
You may be affected by this action if you are a pesticide formulator, agrichemical dealer, an independent commercial applicator, or a custom blender. The final rule is effective Dec. 29.