Risk Management


Theodore P. Zoli, P.E., vice president of HNTB Corporation

Bridge Protection, Elderly Falls Experts Win 'Genius' Grants

Theodore P. Zoli and Yale Program on Aging Director Mary Tinetti are among 24 researchers given $500,000 grants by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation.

Aerosol Manufacturer Settles Hazwaste Charges, Agrees to $30K Penalty

The company was cited for violating Resource Conservation and Recovery Act requirements for treating, managing, and disposing of hazardous waste, including failure to mark, label, and keep hazardous waste containers closed; and comply with training, monitoring, inspection, and recording requirements.

Any Driving Distraction is Dangerous: ASSE

Revised ahead of the DOT Distract Driving Summit later this month, the society's position statement notes distractions are not limited to electronic devices. The statement also discusses technological solutions.

Indiana City Agrees to Upgrade Sewers, Stop Polluting Ohio River

Under the settlement, the city will improve its sewer system to minimize, and in many cases, eliminate overflows of sewage combined with stormwater overflows into the river at a cost likely between $100 and $150 million. The city has to have a comprehensive plan in place by calendar year 2020 or 2025, depending on the city's financial health.

This 3M photo shows the back of a Scotchlite segmented trim T shirt.

Big Expansion Coming for High-Vis Apparel

When it comes out later this year, the 2009 version of the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices will expand the requirement for high-vis safety apparel to workers on all roads, not just federal-aid highways.

Coatings Plant Fined for Hazwaste Issues, Goes Out of Business

During a 2007 inspection, EPA staff found acetone and toluene being stored improperly at the facility. The agency noted that exposure to such solvents can affect breathing and cause vomiting.

Man Pleads Guilty to Hacking Host of US Retailers, Faces Prison

"Technology has forever changed the way we do business, virtually erasing geographic boundaries," said U.S. Secret Service Director Mark Sullivan. "However, this case demonstrates that even in the cyber world, there is no such thing as anonymity.” Sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 8.

FDA Approves Four 2009 H1N1 Vaccines

Vaccines against three seasonal virus strains are already available and should be used, FDA said. However, they do not protect against the 2009 H1N1 virus. These latest four vaccines are designed to do that.



Popular Sedative Needs Warning on Box, Agency Says

The drug, which is also sometimes used to combat morning sickness and as an anti-allergic medication to treat hay fever, allergic rhinitis, and other allergic reactions, is available only by prescription in the United States but is available over the counter in the United Kingdom, Canada, Switzerland, Australia, and many other countries.

Excavation Firm Fined $40K for Trenching Violations in Colorado

"The procedures for protecting trench workers are easy enough to implement, but what's required first is employer and employee dedication to workplace safety and health," said Greg Baxter, OSHA's regional administrator in Denver.

Safety Blunders in Underground Facility Lead to $117K in Penalties

The serious violations OSHA unearthed related to inadequate process safety management of highly hazardous chemicals, lack of emergency preparedness and response procedures, and poor respiratory protection for workers.

It it is silica, it is not just dust.

OSHA Offers Free Guidance on Silica Control

The newly downloadable document addresses methods for controlling silica such as wet cutting during construction operations and using vacuum dust collection systems.

Residential fire sprinklers remain controversial.

Residential Fire Sprinkler Battle Still Ablaze

Getting home fire sprinklers added to the 2009 International Residential Code wasn't easy. Opponents are still fighting to remove that requirement from the code, and NFPA and its allies have readied their arguments for hearings next month.

Radon Specialists Descend on St. Louis

A panel presentation and discussion on "The State of the Granite Debate," focusing on the issue of radon and radioactivity from granite countertop materials, will be part of AARST's 21st International Radon Symposium next week.

Mesothelioma Awareness Day Spreads

With more participation this year than ever before, more than 100 radio stations in some 20 states are planning to help raise awareness of mesothelioma by playing a Warren Zevon song followed by a 20-second segment about the incurable disease on Saturday, Sept. 26.

Problems Remain in PHMSA's Hazmat Permits Oversight

The DOT inspector general testified Sept. 10 that the department's leadership has directed PHMSA to implement an action plan, but oversight of permit holders' safety compliance remains an issue.

logo of the European Chemicals Agency

15 Chemicals May Get SVHC Tag from European Chemicals Agency

The agency has published proposals to identify the group as Substances of Very High Concern because of their carcinogenic, mutagenic, and/or reprotoxic properties and potentially serious effects on human health, or for persistent, bioaccumulative environmental effects. Comments to ECHA are due by Oct. 15.

Coast Guard Logs 25% Increase in Summer Search & Rescue Cases

"Our Coast Guard crews face risks each and every time they respond to a call--including hoax calls and reports of abandoned or adrift vessels," said Cmdr. Phillip Thorne, chief of the response department at Sector Northern New England. "Not only do these cases put responsible mariners in danger, the time and resources expended are a needless waste of money."

This photo was taken during the T2 response by Jacksonville Fire-Rescue District Chief Steve Gerbert.

T2 Investigative Report Coming Tuesday

At a public meeting in Jacksonville, CSB investigators will present their final report on the batch reactor explosion that killed four workers and injured 32 people Dec. 19, 2007.

Dyno Nobel Settles Ammonia Charges: $17K Penalty, $72K for New Equipment

The settlement is related to a release at the company’s ammonia and nitric acid manufacturing facility in Deer Island, Ore., on Sept. 29, 2008. EPA alleges that the company failed to notify the appropriate emergency response entities until approximately 11 hours after the release occurred.

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