The 24 alleged serious violations that resulted from a site-specific targeting program investigation included a failure to have at least two suitable gas masks available and accessible; lack of developed confined space procedures; and grinding wheel, compressed air, and electrical shock hazards.
"If OSHA's standards regarding proper trench sloping, shoring, and shielding were followed, it is possible this tragedy could have been avoided," said Michael Rivera, OSHA's area director in Corpus Christi.
By focusing proper cleaning on surfaces in the office that get more hand attention, health-based cleaning services target potentially contaminated surfaces that can harbor MRSA and other harmful pathogens.
EPA inspectors found Tanco had not properly implemented its Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasures plan, including requirements for secondary containment and tank integrity testing, both of which are designed to prevent or minimize the impacts from accidental releases.
Last year's event in San Antonio, Texas (pictured), drew 2,836 attendees representing all areas and professions affiliated with the safety and health industry. For this year's conference in Orlando, organizers are expecting to up that number to at least 3,000.
It cautions, however, that this case study of its use in disinfectant sprays, now released for public comment, does not draw conclusions about potential health risks.
A new study by two Albanian researchers has found prevalence varying between 19.2 percent and 25.7 percent among workers in the metallurgical industry.
The federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement began this series of public forums Aug. 4 in New Orleans, then moved on to Mobile, Ala., and Pensacola, Fla. Comments are being accepted until Sept. 30.
The statistical survey would involve 14,202 respondents, and 85 case study interviews would be conducted asking about safety and health practices on farms with more than 10 workers and at state and local governmental agencies in state plan states.
In addition, OSHA issued the company 50 serious and two other-than-serious violations for failing to provide proper protective equipment for employees working with lead and other extremely dangerous dust and chemicals, and failing to develop or implement a hazard communication program, among other things.
Coronary events are a major health issue in firefighters, causing nearly half of all deaths on duty. Exposure to ultrafine particles could contribute to coronary disease in firefighters—not only as a long-term health risk, but also as a cause of coronary events while responding to fires.
Finalizing a proposed rule to incorporate more than 40 voluntary consensus standards in federal pipeline safety regulations, PHMSA said it will not adopt the 2008 editions of NFPA 58, Liquefied Petroleum Gas Code, and NFPA 59, Utility Liquefied Petroleum Gas Plant Code.
The company also agreed to spend at least $500 million on safety measures at its Texas City plant. Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis today said "The size of the penalty rightly reflects BP's disregard for workplace safety."
The board promised it will be balanced, including railroads, tank car owners, shippers, and others. Its goal: Deliver recommendations within two years to solve the vexing question of liability for rail toxic by inhalation hazard shipments.
Between June 2004 and September 2007, approximately 6,510 barrels of crude oil were discharged from various pipelines and one tank owned and operated by Plains into navigable waters or adjoining shorelines, according to EPA.
“Controlling the mosquito vector can work, but it is very expensive and difficult to sustain,” says Anna Durbin, M.D., who is leading the study at Johns Hopkins. “In the long run, vaccination would be a more efficient and cost-effective approach.”
"It is the employer's responsibility to prevent fall hazards at construction sites by providing workers with appropriate safety equipment," said Mark Stelmack, director of OSHA's area office in Wilkes Barre, Pa., which issued the citations. Don't miss Wednesday's OH&S fall protection webinar.
Total mining deaths through July 30 stood at 53, the highest number since 2007, and 48 U.S. firefighters had died in the line of duty as of July 31.
The company received repeat citations for failing to make a reasonable estimate of employee exposure to hazardous chemicals such as hydrogen sulfide and carbon monoxide; it received willful citations for failing to implement confined space entry procedures.
Eight keynotes are part of the PREMUS 2010 program, which begins with pre-conference workshops Aug. 29 and is being held in conjunction with WDPI 2010.