Hazmat - Articles - Page 4

New FAQs from OSHA on controlling silica in general industry

January 25, 2019

OSHA has posted new frequently asked questions (FAQs) on the agency's standard for respirable crystalline silica in general industry. The agency says it developed the FAQs in consultation with industry and union stakeholders to provide guidance to employers and employees on the standard's requirements, such as exposure assessments, regulated areas, methods of compliance, and communicating silica hazards to employees.

AIHA supports HazCom Registry Preparation workshop

Course will be offered March 16-17 in Las Vegas, Nevada

January 25, 2019

The American Industrial Hygiene Association is pleased to support the Society for Chemical Hazard Communication's professional development training, HazCom Registry Preparation, in Las Vegas, Nevada. The course, designed for hazard communication professionals preparing to sit for the Safety Data Sheets & Label Authoring Registry competency assessment, will be presented on March 16-17 by Robert Skoglund, Ph.D., DABT, CIH; Denese A. Deeds, CIH, FAIHA, SDSRP; Douglas Eisner, M.S.; Chandra D. Gioiello, M.S., CIH; and Robert Roy, Ph.D., DABT.

Worker in meat processing plant burned by anhydrous ammonia

January 23, 2019

OSHA has cited Noah’s Ark Processors LLC — based in Hastings, Nebraska — for process safety management violations after an employee suffered severe burns caused by exposure to anhydrous ammonia, a gas used as an industrial refrigerant. The beef processing plant faces penalties of $182,926 for 16 serious safety violations.

Hospitals lax on respiratory protection

January 21, 2019

Evidence from NIOSH surveillance studies indicates gaps in hospitals’ respiratory protection programmatic operations and healthcare workers’ (HCWs) marginal compliance with respiratory protection recommended practices.

Camfil APC launches affordable, small-footprint mist collector for smaller machine shops

January 14, 2019

The EM-O Compact mist collector from Camfil APC is an affordable option for smaller machine shops looking to provide a cleaner and safer work environment. This plug-and-play, small-footprint mist collector was designed to separate either oil or synthetic coolant mist from the air before it is inhaled by operators or settles on machines, floors and other surfaces.

Occupational exposure to metals, pesticides tied to heart disease in Hispanics

January 8, 2019

Occupational exposures to pesticides and metals are associated with an increased prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) among Hispanics/Latinos, according to a study published online Dec. 11 in Heart. Catherine M. Bulka, Ph.D., from the University of Illinois at Chicago, and colleagues analyzed cross-sectional data from 7,404 employed Hispanic/Latino individuals aged 18 to 74 years.

Michigan becomes first state to lower acceptable blood lead levels for workers

December 21, 2018

According to the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA), an important step toward keeping Michigan workers safe from lead exposure in the workplace was realized last week with the filing of updated administrative rules that lower acceptable blood lead levels, replacing decades-old standards. The new rules became effective December 11, 2018.

Asbestos – the hidden health risk of home renovations

Al Johnson

November 27, 2018

A survey conducted earlier this year by a Canadian bank found that nearly 40 per cent of British Columbia (B.C.) homeowners were planning on renovating their homes. And while that’s great news for the construction industry, it’s important to be aware of the health dangers that asbestos-containing building materials in older homes pose to contractors and their crew.

How to pack safely for holiday air travel

(And it may get you through security faster, too.)

November 25, 2018

Planning on traveling by air for the Christmas holiday? The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) wants to help you make it to your destination safely. You can help with that by paying close attention to what’s in your bag.

Tennessee cleanup workers exposed to hazmat can sue

November 14, 2018

A federal jury last week ruled that the company who hired workers to clean up a coal ash spill in Tennessee failed to protect them from the hazards involved. The ruling clears the way for workers affected by the highly toxic substance to seek damages from Jacobs Engineering, the company tasked with cleaning up a massive coal ash spill at the Tennessee Valley Authority's (TVA) Kingston Fossil Plant.