The site in Agawam, Mass., was admitted for three years of participation at the star level following an OSHA team’s three-day onsite review, which included an examination of the facility’s safety and health management system, interviews with employees, and a complete tour of the plant.
The agency estimates it will take three to four months to clean the four-acre site that once held both an auto salvage shop and a gas station, situated a half mile from the center of town in a mixed residential and commercial area.
"The identified violations leave employees at the refinery vulnerable to accidents that could result in injury or possible death," said Al D'Imperio, area director of OSHA's Philadelphia Office.
Called a "revolutionary tool," it will allow the public to track environmental exposures and chronic health conditions.
Under the settlement, G-I will take immediate steps at the VAG Site by constructing fencing, gates, and road barriers to restrict public access; providing onsite surveillance and securing the mill buildings. The company also will monitor air emissions from the piles; conduct dust suppression, if necessary, and provide support to EPA and Vermont for future sampling and monitoring.
In addition, EPA alleges the manufacturer violated notification and recordkeeping requirements and requirements to continuously monitor emissions from its boilers.
The rule comes on the heels of a key part of EPA's strategy, a proposal last March by the United States and Canada to designate thousands of miles of the two countries' coasts as an Emission Control Area.
The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) will hold a public hearing on the proposed rule to revise existing requirements to approve sampling devices that monitor miner exposure to respirable coal mine dust.
Three short videos shot at this year's ASSE expo showcase a new wipe that removes lead particles from the skin and is disposed without harming the environment, a service that provides gas monitor maintenance and data analysis to end users, and a training company's array of solutions for customers around the world.
Among the charges against the company are citations for four repeat violations for failing to conduct and document inspections and tests on process equipment, conduct the proper process hazard analysis (PHA), and maintain adequate process safety information.
The National Emergency Grant funds will increase the overall approved number of participants in the temporary work program from 600 to 767 and extend the project through Dec. 31, 2009.
With rigs in use in many non-traditional areas, emergency responders and company health and safety professionals must work together.
The Illinois facility was storing chlorine and diesel fuel over the minimum threshold level and failed to provide emergency and hazardous chemical inventory forms to state and local authorities, EPA said.
Going head to head in two sizzling destination cities this week are the annual conferences of the American Society of Safety Engineers (San Antonio, featuring Labor Secretary Hilda Solis) and the Society for Human Resource Management (New Orleans, featuring business titan Jack Welch).
Updates on OSHA and NIOSH activities also will be presented at the July 15 meeting.
Three separate companies were issued willful violations for failing to provide a competent person to supervise the removal of a ceiling that contained asbestos, to provide the required respiratory equipment, and to inform workers that the worksite contained asbestos.
In Georgia alone, the agency has conducted 32 visits to targeted sites during the 16-month period, issuing 311 citations, 90 percent of which are classified as willful, serious, repeat, or failure to abate.
As part of the association's ongoing efforts to provide cutting-edge educational opportunities, the American Industrial Hygiene Association recently announces its 2009 continuing education offerings. These professional development courses are designed to provide practitioners with specialized skills that enhance performance on the job while increasing knowledge and professionalism.
The Burley, Idaho-based worksite has not experienced an occupational injury or illness in the last four years, the agency said.
"While we share the goal of establishing permanent chemical security regulations, we are concerned several provisions in the legislation as introduced could undermine the important work that is already underway," said Marty Durbin, American Chemistry Council vice president of federal affairs.