Plant Maintenance


EPA Seeks Comments on Greenhouse Gas Regulation

The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that the Clean Air Act authorizes regulation of greenhouse gases because they meet the definition of air pollutant under the Act. EPA is trying to decide how to respond to that ruling.

Alaska Labor Commissioner: Focus on Crane Safety

It is critical for employers to ensure employees assisting with the lift are properly trained--including signaling, load limits, and rigging techniques--and are aware of the hazards of operating a crane.

Grocery Distributor Cited for Similar Hazards in '04, '05, '06 & Now '08

An inspection opened in January 2008 also identified new hazards including unguarded pulleys, lack of auxiliary lighting on pallet jacks, and exposed live electrical wiring.

Fruit Packer to Pay EPA $81,193 for Risk Management Violations

Anhydrous ammonia is one of the most dangerous chemicals used in refrigeration and agriculture today, EPA noted. Those who work with it must be trained to follow exact handling procedures.

Wood Pellet Plant Cited for Willful Dust, Machine Guarding Hazards

The investigation and subsequent citation followed a Jan. 23 incident in which an employee was caught in an unguarded conveyor.

Journal Unit to Pay $200,000 to Settle Clean-Air Violation Claims

EPA's Region 5 alleged that the printing plant violated national emission standards for hazardous air pollutants for the printing and chromium electroplating industries.

Unsafe Crane Conditions Result in $159,000 in Fines for Rebar Firm

An investigation of the Philadelphia facility resulted in three willful and 51 serious violations.

Hormel Food Division Self-Discloses Violations, Has Penalties Waived

At its San Joaquin County facility, at least 16,000 pounds of anhydrous ammonia used in the refrigeration system mandated a risk management plan, which the company quickly provided to EPA officials.



CSB Safety Videos Viewed More than 1 Million Times

More than 75,000 DVDs resulting from CSB investigations have been distributed to industry and labor groups, government agencies, safety trainers, educators, emergency responders, and individual requesters throughout the world, the agency said.

Health Care Outscores Other Industries in Energy Efficiency Study

"It takes a lot of energy to run a hospital," said Dale Woodin, executive director of ASHE. "As health care organizations look for ways to control costs and improve patient care, they are engineering energy efficient solutions that will pay off handsomely in three or four years."

Defective Cranes, Scaffolds Part of $78,100 Fine for Mississippi Manufacturer

Inspectors found serious safety violations with employees operating cranes with broken, missing, and leaking parts, and the agency determined that monthly safety inspections were not being performed.

ASHRAE Raises More Than $2 Million for Research Promotion

The society currently has 92 active research projects, including ones focusing on hospital operating room air distribution and air quality on board commercial aircraft.

New ASTM Group Works on Safe Handling of Annealed Glass Standard

The task group will focus on practical personal protective equipment for employees as well as standardizing levels of protection for various tasks in handling annealed glass.

CCOHS Offers Introduction to Workplace IAQ E-course

The one-hour course covers the factors that affect the quality of indoor air as well as applicable standards and legislation.

UL Webinar to Discuss Smoke Alarm Technology

The one-hour session will include a 30- to 40-minute presentation on ionization, photoelectric, and dual technology smoke alarms, along with an ask-the-experts segment.

NIOSH Seeks Comments on Revised Draft of Asbestos 'Roadmap'

The document is intended to address scientific uncertainties about occupational exposure and toxicity issues related to asbestos fibers and other elongated mineral particles.

ASSE Offers Cleanup Tips for Flood-Related Mold

A blotch of black, gray, white, red, orange, yellow, blue, or violet fuzzy or slimy growth is usually the result of widespread mold growth. Besides infection and allergic reactions, excessive mold growth indoors can result in offensive, musty odors from the gases released by certain molds as they grow and die.

Tips for Safer, Cleaner Fluid Transfer Areas

Fluids are essential to most manufacturing processes. They arrive in containers, drums, totes, bulk shipments, and pipelines. When all is going well, they seem to be the lifeblood of the facility. When they leak or spill, however, the mess they create can range anywhere from being a nuisance to being a health and environmental liability.

The More You Know, the Better

The key to high-speed industrial door safety is understanding what you need and when you need it.

EPA Changes Rules for Some Gasoline Dispensing Facilities

This action affects only area source gasoline dispensing facilities with a monthly throughput of 100,000 gallons of gasoline or more.

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