Risk Management


Operators of liquid propane pipelines should include 911 agencies in their educational programs, the National Transportation Safety Board recommended Oct. 14.

NTSB Urges Better 911 Coordination by Pipeline Operators

The board concluded Wednesday that the American Petroleum Institute's Recommended Practice 1162 should explicitly identify 911 emergency call centers as emergency response agencies included in pipeline operators' public education programs.

Roofer Cited for Fall Hazards Ranging from 16 Feet to Three Stories

"Improperly utilized fall protection equipment is just as deadly as failing to use fall protection at all," said OSHA Area Director Rosemarie Ohar. "Workers who lack adequate and effective fall protection are just one slip, trip or misstep away from a potentially fatal plunge."

ConocoPhillips Cited for Repeat Workplace Safety, Health Hazards

"The identified violations leave employees at the refinery at risk of accidents that could result in injury or possible death," said Patricia Jones, area director of OSHA's office in Avenel, N.J.

Confined Space-Related Death Leads to $207,800 Fine for Chemical Recycler

The investigation found 32 serious violations, including failing to evaluate the worksite for exposures to hydrogen sulfide, develop procedures for waste stream processing, develop decontamination procedures, and train workers on the hazards associated with confined space entry on barges.

Cave-in at Sewer Installation Leads to $55,000 Fine

Five minutes after the worker was instructed to exit the excavation, one of its sidewalls collapsed. Had the worker still been in the excavation, he could have been crushed or buried by the cave-in, an inspector noted.

Nighttime Inspection Spotlights Silica Hazards, Respiratory Violations

"Employers should not assume that OSHA will not conduct inspections because much of this work is done at night," said Paul Mangiafico, OSHA's area director for Middlesex and Essex counties. "We will conduct inspections where and when we must to ensure that employers implement and maintain effective controls to minimize this hazard to their workers."

EPA Publishes Meth Lab Cleanup Guidelines

Although there is a decline in the domestic production of meth in recent years, vigilance is warranted because of the destructive nature of the drug and the environmental hazards caused by meth labs, the agency said.

Recognize, React, and Recover is the name of SCDOT/AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety campaign.

SCDOT, AAA Foundation Join to Prevent ROR Deaths

The department says more than 500 of the 922 traffic crashes in South Carolina last year were run-off-road incidents, and at least one ROR fatality occurs in the state every day.



Electrical Contractor Cited for Risky Trench Work, Fined $35K

"An unprotected trench is a potential grave," said Paul Mangiafico, OSHA's area director for Middlesex and Essex counties. "Its walls can collapse suddenly and with great force, burying workers beneath tons of soil and debris before they can react or escape.”

A new federal study will examine crash data to find common factors, such as road configurations, environmental conditions, and rider experience.

FHWA Begins 'Major Study' of Motorcycle Crashes

NHTSA and Oklahoma State University are the Federal Highway Administration's partners for the research, which will be the federal government's biggest study of motorcycle safety since 1981.

Are Employers Obligated to Disinfect Shared Office Keyboards?

OSHA is on the fence about it. According to the director of its Enforcement Programs Directorate, the agency’s determination of coverage would be made on a case-by-case basis.

EPA Begins New Study of Atrazine's Cancer Effects

One of the most widely used agricultural pesticides in the United States, atrazine can be applied before and after planting to control broadleaf and grassy weeds.

OSHA Clarifies ‘Containerization’ for Blood, Body Fluids

When asked if it was acceptable to throw out items contaminated with blood or body fluids in either septic systems or normal garbage, the OSHA director said, “It is the employer's responsibility to determine the existence of regulated waste. This determination is not based on actual volume of blood, but rather on the potential to release blood (e.g., when compacted in the waste container).”

Sulfuric Acid Manufacturer to Spend $30M on Air Pollution Controls

"The more than 7,000 tons per year of sulfur dioxide reductions secured by this settlement will produce significant and measurable public health benefits for downwind communities," said EPA’s Cynthia Giles.

EPA Issues Final Aircraft Drinking Water Rule

"This rule is a significant step forward in protecting people’s health when they travel," said Peter S. Silva, assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Water.

Colorado Gov. Signs Executive Order on Workplace Violence

As an employer, the state is affected by workplace violence which can compromise the safety of both victims and co-workers and result in lost productivity and increased healthcare costs, absenteeism, and employee turnover, the governor's office stated.

Tortilla Maker Gets Served $231,600 in OSHA-Proposed Penalties

Most of that sum is the result of the company’s failure to correct seven violations identified during a previous inspection that focused on the firm’s lack of an energy control program to ensure machinery would not start up at inopportune times.

This image comes from the new instructional video.

New Video Explains Today's FR Apparel

In "Not All FR is Created Equal," Workrite and Westex simplify the sometimes difficult task of comparing FR garments and fabrics and finding the right one for your application.

Violating hazmat regulations for packaging and handling lithium batteries can bring a maximum civil penalty of $50,000, $100,000 if serious injury, death, or substantial property destruction results.

Lithium Battery Warnings Not Sinking In

FAA and the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration published a safety advisory in yesterday's Federal Register citing five aircraft incidents since July 1.

A new card helps health workers and their safety and compliance officers keep track of fit tests and respirator training.

AOHP/OSHA Alliance Creates Respirator Fit Testing Card

The Association of Occupational Health Professionals in Healthcare's alliance with OSHA brainstormed the idea during a conference call that included NIOSH’s National Personal Protective Technology Lab.

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