Hazardous materials - Articles - Page 7

OSHA delays enforcement of beryllium standard

March 6, 2018

OSHA has delayed the enforcement date for its final rule on occupational exposure to beryllium in general, construction, and shipyard industries until May 11, 2018 – a move that angered the United Steelworkers (USW) union. The start of enforcement had previously been set for March 12, 2018. The agency said the 60-day delay will “ensure that stakeholders are aware of their obligations, and that OSHA provides consistent instructions to its inspectors.”

Feds developing plan to reduce childhood lead exposure

February 19, 2018

The EPA, cabinet members and a host of federal agencies – all part of the President’s Task Force on Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks to Children -- gathered last week to hear the EPA’s strategy for reducing childhood lead exposure and associated health risks.

Honeywell introduces real-time safety monitoring of industrial workers as part of Honeywell connected plant

New wearable gas detector solution integrates with Honeywell’s leading plant control system to protect workers and speed up emergency response

February 14, 2018

Honeywell (NYSE: HON) today announced a new solution for real-time safety monitoring of workers in plant and remote operations. Honeywell Connected Plant Skills Insight Personal Gas Safety helps to protect lives and enable faster response in case of hazardous leaks or worker injury.

Fire preparedness, yes. Active shooter readiness, no.

February 12, 2018

Many companies are missing the mark when it comes to educating their employees about what to do in the event of an emergency. That’s the conclusion of a recent survey by Rave Mobile Safety, which found both generational and industry differences in employee perceptions about safety. Fire preparedness got high marks, with some 87 percent of respondents indicating an awareness of their workplace's fire drill policy and participation in fire drills practiced at work.

EPA moves closer to implementing chemical safety act

February 9, 2018

The EPA this week proposed a fees rule under the amended Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) that it says will give the agency the resources it needs to review chemicals for safety. Under the Frank Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act, the proposed fees on certain chemical manufacturers, including importers and processors, would provide what the agency calls “a sustainable source of funding” for implementing the amended law.

Bye-Bye mop & buckets! Move over spill kits!

There is a new hi-tech device in town revolutionizing spill clean-ups - eliminating slip & fall accidents and changing how the world cleans up spills and wet areas

Say hello to – SPILL MASTER™ from Wic-Dry Technologies

February 6, 2018

Traditional methods of using a mop & bucket or spill kit to clean up spills usually cause more harm than good; the spill area gets spread out creating a greater hazard area which leads to more slip & fall accidents and cross contamination of hazardous substances.

Kansas manufacturer exposes employees to carcinogen

February 1, 2018

OSHA investigators have determined that Spirit Aerosystems Inc. exposed employees to airborne concentrations of hexavalent chromium nearly double the permissible exposure limit. Hexavalent chromium is a known carcinogen. The Kansas-based aircraft manufacturer faces proposed penalties totaling $194,006 for one willful and five serious violations.

NTSB finds safety issues with hazmat highway cargo tanks

January 30, 2018

The National Transportation Safety Board’s (NTSB) investigation of a crash involving a semitrailer cargo tank loaded with propane has identified safety issues that while unrelated to the probable cause, pose a substantial risk to the driving public.

A Confined Space blog post

Dispatches from the front lines of the battle for safe and health workplaces: Short stuff

January 26, 2018

Trumpworld to Government Scientists: No Science for You! This falls into “The Onion or Real News” category. Imagine my alarm when I read in The Intercept that “Republicans on the House Science Committee are accusing Linda Birnbaum, director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, of lobbying.” Lobbying, as any political appointee or high level government official can tell you, is strictly verboten for government employees.

Protect your family from radon

January 22, 2018

It’s naturally occurring and it’s just about everywhere, so we are all exposed to it. People who are regularly exposed to high radon levels, though, are at increased risk of lung cancer – especially if they smoke. Because radon is odorless and colorless, the only way to determine if your home is safe is to conduct testing.