Developed by the National Fire Data Center, the U.S. Fire Administration has issued a report titled Residential Structure and Building Fires that examines the causes and characteristics of fires occurring in residential structures and buildings.
The agency detailed 12 inspectors to conduct 96 safety inspections at 46 construction sites throughout the city from June 23 to July 3. Citations were issued to 60 contractors for 129 violations with a total of $247,400 in proposed fines during the period.
"The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that there are more than 21.2 million people who have mobility impairments and by understanding their special evacuation needs, safety can be improved in the workplace and home," said Paul Tobin, president of The United Spinal Association.
The company was cited for failing to document and implement provisions of OSHA's PSM standard concerning equipment deficiencies, operator training, and safe working practices, among other things, following an explosion in April resulting from the release of flammable liquid and vapor from an open piping system during preparation for maintenance.
In separate ceremonies, the facilities were presented with a VPP star flag in recognition of their excellent workplace safety and health records, maintaining an injury and illness rate below their industries' average for three years.
G&K Services failed to control air emissions and properly manage hazardous waste materials
The United States Fire Administration (USFA) has released a new technical report titled "Chemical Fire in Apex, North Carolina." This report examines the response of the Apex Fire Department, the value of pre-planning efforts, and the impact of a well coordinated response in the worst of conditions.
A public meeting focusing on the draft document's thoroughness and scientific and technical soundness is slated for Jan. 22, 2009 in Cincinnati. Written comments are being accepted from Oct. 15, 2008, through Jan. 31, 2009.
OSHA has cited Pepsi-Cola and National Brand Beverage Ltd. of Pennsauken with $195,000 in proposed penalties for alleged workplace safety and health violations.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced Thursday that it has reached an agreement with Merit Energy Co. LLC and Shell Exploration & Production Co. that resolves federal allegations that the companies continued to operate a facility in Michigan after Shell had made improper modifications to the plant.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently announced the selection of ten contractors to receive up to a total of $2.5 billion for information technology (IT) and data center management services over the next ten years.
A senior building maintenance employee was working on a building that was undergoing renovations. The job included the installation of an emergency exit light above a doorway. The maintenance employee was positioned on a 10-foot fiberglass stepladder. As he was rechecking the 110-volt electrical wiring using a multi-meter tester, he experienced a strong electrical shock sensation. He was reaching above and behind the light at the time and fell approximately 8 feet to the floor. He sustained a fractured left heel, as well as a compression fracture of his lower back. This employee was hospitalized, according to the OSHA accident report.
According to EPA, the Mattoon, Wis.-based manufacturer failed to comply with certain requirements of its state operating permit for its wood-fired boiler that emits air pollutants, including particulate matter (smoke, dust, ash) into the atmosphere.
"Facilities that use toxic chemicals must provide complete and accurate information about these chemicals so residents and emergency responders are aware of possible chemical hazards in the community," said Enrique Manzanilla, Communities and Ecosystems director for EPA's Pacific Southwest region.
Officials with the California State Division of Labor Standards Enforcement (Labor Commissioner's Office) issued citations totaling more than $269,000 in fines to agriculture businesses in a statewide, two-day enforcement sweep.
EPA said that in August 2007 its inspectors found open and unlabeled containers of hazardous waste at the facility and evidence of a release of used oil, as well as stored containers of hazardous waste without a permit and stored hazardous waste for longer than the 90 days allowed. At the time of the inspection, the company had ceased its pineapple growing operations, the agency noted.
“Serious injuries can occur while performing tasks commonly associated with fire sprinkler installation. It is our goal to provide useful information and resources to protect the safety and health of these employees,” said OSHA chief Edwin Foulke Jr.
The agency's Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking includes several questions for public comment related to current employer practices, along with tasks, tools, equipment, machines, vehicles, processes, controls, and procedures involved in tree care operations. Comments must be submitted by Dec. 17.
The Michigan facility declared an unusual event, the lowest of NRC’s four emergency classifications, when the fire could not be extinguished within 15 minutes. The fire was, however, extinguished 25 minutes after it started, and no injuries or public hazards were reported.
"After agreeing to correct problems found during our previous inspection, management's admitted failure to make those changes seriously jeopardizes the safety and health of the people working in their plant," said Roberto Sanchez, OSHA's area director in Birmingham.