Risk Management


Colorado Grain Fatality Brings $1.6 Million in Fines

OSHA issued $1,592,500 of the $1.6 million in fines against Tempel Grain Elevators LLP of Wiley, Colo., in connection with the May 29 engulfment death of a 17-year-old worker.

The research team is headed by University College London Professor of Human–Computer Interaction Ann Blandford.

$9.7 Million Grant Funds Interactive Medical Devices Research

Patient safety and a better understanding of causes of errors are being studied by a group headed by University College London Professor of Human–Computer Interaction Ann Blandford.

Do Z359 Standards Cover Transportation-Related Falls? Yes, Says ASSE

The Z359 Accredited Standards Committee said that an interpretation was not necessary because the scope of the committee and its projects and standards has always included rolling stock and therefore it is not exempt from the standard.

Refilled and reused syringes are at the heart of unfolding HCV tragedies in Las Vegas and Denver.

WHO Estimates 65 Million Have Received H1N1 Shots

Around 80 million doses of vaccine for this virus have been distributed worldwide. The agency says there have been few reports of adverse reactions, including fewer than 10 suspected cases of Guillain-Barre syndrome in people who have received vaccine.

OSHA Issues H1N1 Enforcement Procedures Directive

States are required to notify OSHA whether they intend to adopt policies and procedures identical to today’s Instruction or adopt or maintain different policies and instructions for conducting inspections to minimize high to very high risk occupational exposures to the virus identified as 2009 H1N1 influenza.

Contractor Cited for Cave-in Hazard in Downtown Boston Trench

"An unprotected trench is a potential grave, since its sidewalls can collapse in an instant, crushing and burying workers before they have a chance to react or escape," said Brenda Gordon, OSHA's area director for Boston and southeastern Massachusetts.

Worker's Arc Flash Burning on SUNY Campus Leads to $88K Fine

"This is a clear example of the grave consequences that can result when basic electrical safeguards are not provided and used," said Arthur Dube, OSHA's area director in Buffalo.

The 70E 2009 edition "elicited an unprecedented number of proposals and comments, reflecting the meteoric rise in awareness of electrical safety issues in recent years."

NFPA 70E Users' Input Invited

The 2012 edition of the Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace is expected to be issued in August 2011, but it is important for its users to offer proposals now, writes Jeffrey Sargent, NFPA's senior electrical specialist and staff liaison for NFPA 70E.



Distracted driving by motorists is a big problem at rail grade crossings, Operation Lifesaver says.

Distracted Driving's Rail Impacts Displayed

Public service announcements filmed last week in Maryland by Operation Lifesaver Inc. show how distracted driving is involved in motorists' collisions with trains. Union Pacific took its safety train to El Paso Nov. 13-15.

Quit smoking

34th Great American Smokeout Is Today

Even while noting that "great progress" is being made in reducing tobacco use in the United States, the American Cancer Society says smoking continues to account for $193 billion in health care expenditures and productivity losses.

USDA Puts Holiday Food Safety a Click Away

Today's Facebook chat featuring a food safety expert is one way the USDA agency will help consumers enjoy the Thanksgiving fare without discomfort.

Acetylene

OSHA Amends Acetylene Standard, Issues Final Rule

The revised standard updates references for the provisions addressing piping systems, as well as acetylene generators and filling acetylene cylinders and requires that in-plant transfer, handling, storage, and use of acetylene cylinders comply with Compressed Gas Association Pamphlet G-1-2003, titled Acetylene.

The Zodiac CH-601XL can be bought as a completed aircraft manufactured by Aircraft Manufacturing and Design, LLC or built by amateurs from a kit available from its designer, Zenith Aircraft Company.

Experimental Planes Need Safety Retrofit, NTSB Says

A seventh crash now under investigation appears to have been caused by the aerodynamic flutter identified by NTSB last spring. Owners of factory-built Zodiac CH-601XLs have been directed to make structural modifications, but owners who built theirs from a kit are not required to make the same changes.

Australian Agency Backs Control Banding for Nanomaterials

This approach is the correct risk management process because data are lacking for the risk potential of individual engineered nanomaterials, but there is some understanding of hazards posed by different groups of nanomaterials, Safe Work Australia said in a new report.

DuPont Doles Awards for Safety in the EMEA

This year's five winners "recognize that growth-oriented companies have not taken their focus off of safety or SHE matters -- a testament that safety is a business value and catalyst for growth," said Koen van Neyghen, president of DuPont Safety Resources for the EMEA region.

Study Correlates Workplace BPA Exposure to Male Sexual Dysfunction

"This study raises the question: Is there a safe level for BPA exposure, and what is that level? More studies like this, which examine the effect of BPA on humans, are critically needed to help establish prevention strategies and regulatory policies," said lead author De-Kun Li, M.D., Ph.D., of Kaiser Permanente's Division of Research in Oakland, Calif.

H1N1 Guide for HRs

New H1N1 Guide Offers Practical Tools, Tips for HR Professionals

"We're beyond theory and onto execution," said CIDRAP Director Michael T. Osterholm, Ph.D., M.P.H. "The pandemic is here. And we need every business to recognize the impact it can have. It's not too late, but time is of the essence."

Three U.S. Students Take Home Awards for Remediation Projects

"These impressive young environmentalists all displayed superb thought leadership and presentation skills. Selecting the winning themes was extremely difficult, although the industry will surely be hearing more from these students in years ahead," said John Valkenburg of Adventus.

$75K Grant Awarded to Assist Anhydrous Ammonia Facilities in Missouri

EPA said its Region 7 receives more accidental release reports for ammonia than for any other chemical. In addition to releases caused by transportation accidents, human error, and equipment failure, a number have been caused by anhydrous ammonia thefts.

protective goggles

ISEA's Eye and Face Protection Group Writing Biohazard Standard

The group, consisting of representatives from 14 major vision protection suppliers, held a kickoff meeting Nov. 9 during the association's Fall Meeting.

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