The U.S. Chemical Safety Board has released a new 23-minute safety video, titled "Half an Hour to Tragedy," based on the deadly propane gas explosion at the Little General convenience store in Ghent, W.Va., in January 2007.
"These citations address a variety of hazards which, left uncorrected, expose employees to potential falls, fire, crushing injuries, lacerations, amputations, being caught in the unexpected startup of machinery or not being able to exit the workplace swiftly in the event of an emergency," said Christopher Adams, OSHA's area director in Syracuse, N.Y.
"This year's event has sought to address the work that still needs to be done to reduce incidences of work-related injury and ill-health in our sector, and identify practical ways to achieve this," said Jak Thomas, chair of the Food and Drink Federation's OHS Committee.
Developed by the National Fire Data Center, the U.S. Fire Administration has issued a report titled Residential Structure and Building Fires that examines the causes and characteristics of fires occurring in residential structures and buildings.
After two incidents were reported involving injuries to children and adults, Chance Rides Manufacturing is offering inspection/repair kits for approximately 85 of its affected rides.
The agency detailed 12 inspectors to conduct 96 safety inspections at 46 construction sites throughout the city from June 23 to July 3. Citations were issued to 60 contractors for 129 violations with a total of $247,400 in proposed fines during the period.
"What's particularly disturbing is that this employer--who has been cited for fall protection violations in the past--allowed these hazards to continue even in the midst of an ongoing OSHA inspection," said Robert Kowalski, OSHA's area director in Bridgeport, Conn.
The long-awaited new OSHA rule governing use of cranes and derricks has been published in today's Federal Register. Comments and hearing requests are due by Dec. 8, 2008. The rule is a complete revision of Section 1926.550 of Subpart N of 29 CFR part 1926, the construction standards; Subpart N is one of the originally adopted OSHA regulations.
"The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that there are more than 21.2 million people who have mobility impairments and by understanding their special evacuation needs, safety can be improved in the workplace and home," said Paul Tobin, president of The United Spinal Association.
"Today we recognize the joint commitment of more than 400 employees and management here in Norwalk who continually and effectively go beyond the status quo in providing and maintaining a safe and healthful workplace," said Marthe Kent, OSHA's regional administrator for New England, at the VPP flag-raising ceremony on Monday at the manufacturing plant in Norwalk.
"It is our intention that our efforts through the Academic Research Initiative, combined with the support efforts of other federal agencies, to help cultivate the nuclear scientists and engineers of the future," said Vayl Oxfod, director of the DHS Domestic Nuclear Detection Office.
The company was cited for failing to document and implement provisions of OSHA's PSM standard concerning equipment deficiencies, operator training, and safe working practices, among other things, following an explosion in April resulting from the release of flammable liquid and vapor from an open piping system during preparation for maintenance.
Health experts from the Wildlife Conservation Society has released a report that lists 12 pathogens that could spread into new regions as a result of climate change, with potential impacts to both human and wildlife health and global economies.
In separate ceremonies, the facilities were presented with a VPP star flag in recognition of their excellent workplace safety and health records, maintaining an injury and illness rate below their industries' average for three years.
Created by researchers at the Georgia Tech Research Institute, the imaging system--when attached to a helicopter--can create a detailed picture of an area devastated by a hurricane or other natural disaster. The resulting information can be used to estimate the number of refugees and assess the need for health and humanitarian services.
G&K Services failed to control air emissions and properly manage hazardous waste materials
The United States Fire Administration (USFA) has released a new technical report titled "Chemical Fire in Apex, North Carolina." This report examines the response of the Apex Fire Department, the value of pre-planning efforts, and the impact of a well coordinated response in the worst of conditions.
The company also faces 24 serious citations for missing or inadequate guarding of mechanical power presses and press brakes, uninspected power presses, and lack of a hearing conservation program, among other alleged violations. Total proposed fines exceed $70,000.
A public meeting focusing on the draft document's thoroughness and scientific and technical soundness is slated for Jan. 22, 2009 in Cincinnati. Written comments are being accepted from Oct. 15, 2008, through Jan. 31, 2009.
In addition to limiting the radioactive waste dose limit to 15 millirem per year for the first 10,000 years after disposal, the final standard will require the Department of Energy to consider the effects of climate change, earthquakes, volcanoes, and corrosion of the waste packages to safely contain the waste during a 1 million-year period.