The Ecology Center released its fourth consumer guide to toxic chemicals in cars at HealthyStuff.org, finding the Honda Civic at the top of this year's list, and the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport at the bottom. Over 200 of the most popular 2011- and 2012-model vehicles were tested for chemicals that off-gas from parts such as the steering wheel, dashboard, armrests, and seats. These chemicals contribute to “new car smell” and a variety of acute and long-term health concerns. Since the average American spends more than 1.5 hours in a car every day, toxic chemical exposure inside vehicles can be a major source of indoor air pollution.
“Research shows that vehicle interiors contain a unique cocktail of hundreds of toxic chemicals that off-gas in small, confined spaces,” said Jeff Gearhart, Research Director at the Ecology Center. “Since these chemicals are not regulated, consumers have no way of knowing the dangers they face. Our testing is intended to expose those dangers and encourage manufacturers to use safer alternatives.”
Chemicals of primary concern include: bromine (associated with brominated flame retardants, or BFRs); chlorine (indicating the presence of polyvinyl chloride, or PVC, and plasticizers); lead; and heavy metals. Such chemicals have been linked to a wide range of health problems such as allergies, birth defects, impaired learning, liver toxicity, and cancer. Automobiles are particularly harsh environments for plastics, as extreme air temperatures of 192?F and dash temperatures up to 248?F can increase the concentration of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and break other chemicals down into more toxic substances.
“Automobiles function as chemical reactors, creating one of the most hazardous environments we spend time in,” added Gearhart.
The good news is overall vehicle ratings are improving. The best vehicles today have eliminated hazardous flame retardants and PVC. Currently, 17% of new vehicles have PVC-free interiors and 60% are produced without BFRs.
Top ranking cars in this year's release are: 1) Honda Civic, 2) Toyota Prius, and 3) Honda CR-Z. Worst ranking are: 1) Mitsubishi Outlander Sport ,2) Chrysler 200 SC, and 3) Kia Soul. The Civic achieved its ranking by being free of bromine-based flame retardants in all interior components; utilizing PVC-free interior fabrics and interior trim; and having low levels of heavy metals and other metal allergens. The Mitsubishi Outlander contained bromine and antimony-based flame retardants in the seating and center console; chromium treated leather on several components; and over 400 ppm lead in seating materials. The full list of top 10 best and worst cars is found below:
“We're pleased to be recognized by HealthyStuff.org for our efforts. Over the past decade, Honda has taken a number of steps to reduce or remove chemicals of concern from our vehicles. We voluntarily report these efforts in our annual North American Environmental Report,” stated Marcos Frommer, Manager of Corporate Affairs & Communications at American Honda.
A widget and mobile phone application are also available. Visitors to the site are encouraged to contact car manufacturers and ask them to subscribe to voluntary third party eco labels, such as the TUV Toxproof and Oko-Tex Standard 100, and reduce their use of toxic chemicals in vehicles. A number of leading automakers, including Ford (TUV) and Volvo (Oko Tex), have already adopted these standards for some of their vehicles.
The most improved automakers in terms of the average ratings for their vehicles are VW (+42%), Mitsubishi (+38%), and Ford (+30%). These represent improvement from the 2009/2010 models to the 2011/2012 models.
Two automakers had overall declining average scores from 2009/2010 to 2011/2012: Diamler AG (-29%) and Volvo (-13%).
On a fleet-wide basis PVC use is declining. Zero percent of pre-2006 vehicles had PVC-free interiors, versus 17% (34) of the 2011/2012 vehicle models which had PVC-free interiors. Flexible PVC often contains hazardous plasticizers, or “softeners,” called phthalates, which off-gas during vehicle use and are deposited on dust particles and windshields, where they cause fogging. In recent years, automakers have begun replacing PVC with polyurethanes and polyolefins, which contain fewer harmful additives and are easier to recycle.
40% of vehicles tested in 2012 contained BFRs in the vehicle interiors. BFRs refer to a wide range of chemicals added to materials to both inhibit their ignition and slow their rate of combustion. Alternatives which provide the degree of fire safety required under law without using organic compounds of bromine exist, as well as options in product redesign.
HealthyStuff.org only tested for a limited set of chemical hazards. Vehicles may also contain other chemical hazards, including chlorinated flame retardants (CFR) which were not tested for in this study.
How to Prepare for OSHA Adoption of the GHS for Classification and Labeling of Chemicals
This means that virtually every product label, material safety data sheet (soon to be called “safety data sheet”), and written hazard communication plan must be revised to meet the new standard. Worker training must be updated so that workers can recognize and understand the symbols and pictograms on the new labels as well as the new hazard statements and precautions on MSDSs.
Environmental Resource Center is offering webcast training for you to learn how the new rule differs from current requirements, how to implement the changes, and when the changes must be implemented.
How to Author GHS Safety Data Sheets
OSHA is adopting the new Globally Harmonized System (GHS) for the classification and labeling of hazardous chemicals. A cornerstone of GHS is the adoption of a completely revised Safety Data Sheet (SDS).
How to Label Hazardous Chemicals Using OSHA’s New GHS Hazcom Standard
Workplace and supplier hazard communication labels are being reinvented as OSHA adopts the new Globally Harmonized System (GHS) for labeling hazardous chemicals.
Nashville RCRA and DOT Training
Kansas City RCRA and DOT Training
Charlotte RCRA, DOT, and OSHA GHS Hazcom Training
Safety Consultant/Trainer
Environmental Resource Center has a new opening for a safety consultant and auditor. We are looking for a former OSHA CSHO, OSHA trainer, or state inspector for this position in our Cary, North Carolina, office. Applicants should have excellent writing and speaking skills and be willing to travel 7–14 days per month. We are looking for an expert in all of the General Industry and Construction standards who is capable of performing audits of industrial facilities as well as conducting on-site training.
Strong consideration will be given to applicants who also have experience providing HAZWOPER, Hazcom, lockout/tagout, confined spaces, and machine guarding training.
The position includes maintenance of training materials (books and presentations), working on consulting projects, development of classes and computer-based training programs, and ensuring customer satisfaction.
Dust from Industrial-scale Processing of Nanomaterials Carries High Explosion Risk
With expanded industrial-scale production of nanomaterials fast approaching, scientists are reporting indications that dust generated during processing of nanomaterials may explode more easily than dust from wheat flour, cornstarch, and most other common dust explosion hazards.
Paul Amyotte and colleagues explain that dust explosions are among the earliest recorded causes of industrial accidents—dating back to a 1785 flour warehouse disaster—and are still a constant threat at facilities that process fine particles of various materials. Despite significant research, there is still much for scientists to learn about the risks of dust explosions in industry, especially of so-called “nontraditional” dusts (such as those made of nanomaterials), and a constant threat exists. That’s why the researchers decided to probe the explosibility of three types of nontraditional dusts: nanomaterials; flocculent (fibrous or fuzzy) materials used in various products, such as floor coverings; and hybrid mixtures of a dust and a flammable gas or vapor.
After reviewing results of studies that exist on the topic, the researchers concluded that the energy needed to ignite nanomaterials made of metals, such as aluminum, is less than 1 mJ, which is less than 1/30th the energy required to ignite sugar dust or less than 1/60th the energy required to set wheat dust aflame. Flocking is often made with a process that generates static electricity, which could set off an explosion of flocculent dust, they point out. The addition of a flammable gas or vapor to a dust as a hybrid mixture increases the chance that the dust will explode. The researchers warn that precautions should be taken to prevent these materials from exposure to sparks, collisions or friction, which could fuel an explosion.
Children may have Highest Exposure to Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles
In the study, Paul Westerhoff, Ph.D., and colleagues point out that titanium dioxide is a common additive to many consumer products, from food, to paint, to cosmetics. Westerhoff explained that the body releases the nanoparticles in feces and urine, sending them to wastewater treatment plants, which cannot prevent the smallest particles from entering lakes and rivers. Only one previous study, done a decade ago, reported on titanium dioxide content in a few commercial products. To fill the knowledge gap about the sources of humans’ exposures, the researchers bought and tested food, personal care products, paints and adhesives and measured how much titanium dioxide they contain.
The group found that children consume more titanium dioxide than adults do because sweets like candies, marshmallows, and icing are among the products with the highest levels. The paper lists the names of the products tested and their titanium dioxide content. Westerhoff recommends that regulators shift their focus from the type of titanium dioxide used in paints and industrial processes to food-grade particles, because those are much more likely to enter the environment and pose a potential risk to humans and animals.
Methyl Isopropyl Ketone Added to Prop 65 List
Effective February 17, 2012, California’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) added methyl isopropyl ketone (CAS No. 563-80-4) to the list of chemicals known to the State to cause reproductive toxicity for purposes of the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986 (Proposition 65).
California Health and Safety Code section 25249.8(a) requires that substances identified in Labor Code section 6382(d) as causing reproductive toxicity be included on the Proposition 65 list. Labor Code section 6382(d) captures any chemicals within the scope of the federal Hazard Communication Standard that are identified as reproductive toxicants. Chemicals fall within the scope of the Hazard Communication Standard if they are listed as hazardous in the latest edition of the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) Threshold Limit Values (TLVs). The TLV for methyl isopropyl ketone was assigned on the basis of ACGIH’s findings of reproductive effects (developmental toxicity endpoint).
The basis for the listing of methyl isopropyl ketone was described in a public notice published in the December 30, 2011, issue of the California Regulatory Notice Register (Register 2011, No. 52-Z). The title of the notice was “Notice of Intent to List Methyl Isopropyl Ketone by the Labor Code Mechanism”. The publication of the notice initiated a 30-day public comment period that closed on January 30, 2012.
European Chemicals Agency Publishes Labeling and Classification Inventory
The European CLP Regulation requires all importers and manufacturers of hazardous substances placed on the EU market and all substances subject to registration under the REACH Regulation to notify the classification and labeling of their substances to the European Chemical Agency (ECHA) within one month of its placement on the market.
The first version of the inventory contains the IUPAC name (and EC name where available) as well as all classification and labeling elements from all notifications that apply one or more hazard classes mentioned in Article 119(1)(a) of the REACH Regulation. These include most of the hazard classes for physical hazards, almost all of the hazard classes for health hazards as well as all substances classified as hazardous to the aquatic environment and to the ozone layer. Other notifications for EINECS substances that are not already included will be added at a later stage, regardless of classification. Numerical identifiers such as EC and CAS numbers are published for ease of use, where possible.
The following information is not included in the Public C&L Inventory:
- Contact details of the notifier
- The composition and impurity profile of the substances
- The harmonized classification and labeling for substances according to the CLP criteria (Table 3.1 of Annex VI to the CLP Regulation)
In certain cases, the IUPAC name may fall under a confidentiality claim and therefore is not published.
Initiative Aimed at Reducing Confined Space Fatalities in California
The California Department of Industrial Relations’ (DIR) Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) recently launched a confined space awareness campaign, with assistance from the Oakland Fire Department, to educate the public on the risks associated with working in a confined space. The news conference included a demonstration of confined space rescue training that Oakland Fire Department conducts on a regular basis.
“We are holding this event with the Oakland Fire Department to highlight the importance of taking appropriate safeguards in the workplace whenever a worker enters a confined space,” said DIR Director Christine Baker. “California is a leader in workplace safety and health. This is another area where we are leading the way in raising awareness of a critical safety hazard.”
A confined space fatality occurred in Napa at Ancien Wines, Inc., last April. The assistant wine maker was transferring red wine from one tank to another, when he was overcome by nitrogen and argon gases inside the tank. He was later found unresponsive six feet inside the tank and was pronounced dead that evening. Another confined space incident which resulted in two deaths occurred in October at Community Recycling in Lamont. Cal/OSHA’s investigation into that workplace fatality is ongoing. Last year, seven occupational fatalities occurred as a result of confined space hazards in workplaces across the state.
“Employers must have a plan in place so that their workers can safely enter and exit these potentially hazardous areas,” said Cal/OSHA Chief Ellen Widess. “Serious injuries and fatalities in confined spaces are preventable with proper safeguards in place. Employers need to know that simply calling for emergency services is not sufficient when seconds count to save lives. A rescue plan must be established and implemented before any worker even enters a confined space.”
Today’s news conference is part of a newly launched campaign by Cal/OSHA to raise awareness of these hazards, to ensure that employers know their responsibilities and employees are aware of confined space hazards and follow safe work practices. Confined space hazards occur in multiple industries, and employers frequently are unfamiliar with the risks of working in such hazardous environments, or do not follow proper safeguards.
“As firefighters, helping anyone who may be in danger will always be the first priority for us. We feel that in working with DIR and Cal/OSHA, we have a distinct opportunity to illustrate the dangers of working in a confined space to the entire State of California,” said Oakland Fire Department Chief Mark Hoffmann. “Calling 911 will get us to respond after an emergency has occurred. However, taking appropriate steps to assure employee safety before you go to work in a hazardous environment will hopefully negate our need to respond while safeguarding workers and assuring that everyone goes home safe at the end of the work day.”
A public webinar will take place for employers, employer groups, worker advocates and others on Thursday, February 23, at 10:00 a.m. Information on how to register for the webinar is posted on this page.
Jeffboat Cited for 9 Violations Following Fatality
OSHA cited Jeffboat LLC, for nine safety violations, including one willful violation, at its Jeffersonville, Indiana, facility after a worker was fatally crushed on August 19, when he became trapped between a malfunctioning transfer car and a barge. This fatality is the third at the barge manufacturing facility since May 2010, when two other workers were killed in separate incidents on different days. OSHA has conducted five inspections since that time, resulting in citations for 46 violations, including the nine from this most recent investigation.
“Jeffboat has a responsibility to ensure that its employees are properly protected from known workplace hazards,” said Ken Gilbert, OSHA's area director in Indianapolis. “Failing to ensure workers' safety and health through appropriate equipment maintenance, training and adherence to OSHA regulations demonstrates a lack of regard for employees' lives and well-being. OSHA is committed to protecting workers, especially when employers fail to do so”
The willful citation is composed of two grouped violations. The first grouped violation is for failing to properly assemble and install pendant controllers used to operate transfer cars in accordance with instructions provided by the manufacturer. The improper installation allegedly allowed water and moisture to enter the pendant controllers, which may have caused the malfunction from the resulting corrosion. The second grouped violation is for continuing usage of equipment for which the electrical parts are corroded. A willful violation is one committed with intentional knowing or voluntary disregard for the law's requirements or with plain indifference to worker safety and health.
Seven serious violations have been cited for hazards such as failing to develop and implement lockout procedures involving hazardous energy control equipment, not training employees to work safely around and operate transfer cars, not inspecting transfer cars and ensuring that electrical circuits had been de-energized prior to employees performing work on equipment, and failing to provide strain relief on the pendant controllers. A serious violation occurs when there is substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result from a hazard about which the employer knew or should have known.
One other-than-serious citation is composed of two grouped violations including failing to properly train workers on electrical hazards and the usage of electrical personal protective equipment. An other-than-serious violation is one that has a direct relationship to job safety and health, but probably would not cause death or serious physical harm.
Proposed fines total $119,000 for the nine violations. A May 10, 2010, fatality occurred when an employee carrying a welder and whip line fell between the top and middle guardrails of a barge to the ground 20 feet below. A serious violation was cited for failing to keep the guardrails taut, and a repeat violation was cited for housekeeping issues, as multiple trip hazards from gas lines and structural elements were found to be present. A repeat violation exists when an employer previously has been cited for the same or a similar violation of a standard, regulation, rule, or order at any other facility in federal enforcement states within the last five years.
A May 17, 2010, fatality occurred when an employee carrying working gear was climbing up a ladder from the inside of a barge and fell. A serious violation was cited for employees carrying items up and down ladders, which prevented them from maintaining three points of contact. Jeffboat specializes in hopper, tank, and oceangoing tank barges. The company employs about 700 workers and is owned by American Commercial Lines LLC, of Jeffersonville.
Cal/OSHA Issues $540,890 to Three Companies Following Explosion That Injured Three
The California Department of Industrial Relations’ (DIR) Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) issued 28 citations with penalties totaling $540,890 following its investigation of the August 9 explosion in Sylmar, California, that injured three people, two of them critically. Investigators found violations at three firms which included eighteen serious and six willful citations. The citations were issued to three companies, Rainbow of Hope AKA Rainbow of Hope Foundation, Strategic Sciences, Inc., and Realm Catalyst.
The explosion occurred when a pressure vessel containing compressed gas, including oxygen and hydrogen, exploded while the two workers were transferring hydrogen and oxygen gas from one cylinder to another. The explosion took the arm and leg of one of the men and seriously injured the other. Another worker injured as a result of the blast was reportedly treated and released for minor injuries.
“Employers who do not live up to their responsibility of providing a safe and healthy work environment will be held accountable,” said DIR Director Christine Baker. “This case represents a breakdown of employer responsibility on multiple levels with three separate employers and a devastating result experienced by the workers.”
“Our investigation documented a troubling disregard for safety as the employer continued to manufacture and store gases that are known to be highly explosive without the proper safety procedures in place”, said Cal/OSHA Chief Ellen Widess. “Employers cannot place their employees at risk by skirting their workplace safety responsibilities.”
The Cal/OSHA investigation revealed that the three employers, Rainbow of Hope AKA Rainbow of Hope Foundation, Strategic Sciences, Inc., and Realm Catalyst, were involved in the manufacture and storage of the oxygen/hydrogen gas that could reasonably be expected to give rise to explosive environments. The employers failed to correct hazardous conditions that had been previously identified in two prior explosions, including one incident that resulted in the death of a worker in Simi Valley in June, 2010. Instead, the Rainbow of Hope and Realm Catalyst continued to manufacture TyLar gas without protecting employees from explosion hazards.
The August 9 explosion took place on the same day of a hearing for citations issued by Cal/OSHA against Realm Catalyst for another explosion that had occurred in June 2010 which took the life of a worker in Simi Valley. The hearing resulted in a settlement reducing penalties against the employer from $5,685 and downgrading one of the citations from serious to general in classification due to a lack of evidence as it had been destroyed in the accident.
List Industries Inc. Cited for Repeat Amputation Hazards
OSHA has proposed $56,000 in penalties against List Industries Inc., after an inspection of its Deerfield Beach, Florida, manufacturing plant found amputation hazards that had been previously cited during OSHA inspections in 2007 and 2009.
One repeat violation with a $49,000 penalty has been cited for allowing workers to operate a mechanical power press that lacked machine guards, and exposing workers to being pulled into the machinery and suffering possible amputations.
One serious violation with a $7,000 penalty also has been issued for exposing workers to amputation hazards by failing to use safety blocks when changing dies or equipment is being repaired.
“OSHA will not tolerate management waiting for a serious injury to occur before correcting violations that expose workers to potential amputation hazards,” said Darlene Fossum, the agency's area director in Fort Lauderdale. “Employers must take proactive actions toward workplace safety.”
Publix Supermarkets Fined $182,000 Following Amputation
One willful violation with a $70,000 penalty was cited for failing to utilize procedures for the control of potentially hazardous energy when employees service or clean equipment.
Two repeat violations with penalties of $66,000 include failing to develop, document, and utilize lockout/tagout procedures and not conducting an annual inspection of the energy control procedures. The company's Dacula, Georgia, location was cited for the same violation in April 2008.
Publix Supermarkets also has been cited for six serious violations with penalties of $39,400 for failing to adequately train employees in procedures for the lockout/tagout of machine energy sources, install machine guarding on equipment where employees could come into contact with rotating and ingoing nip points, protect workers from struck by hazards by not anchoring equipment to the floor, protect workers from electric shock by having damaged electrical equipment repaired, use appropriate electrical outlet boxes in wet/damp locations, and use receptacles that did not have weatherproof enclosures.
Six other-than-serious safety violations with penalties of $6,600 have been cited for failing to complete an OSHA 301 log injury and illness incident report or its equivalent for 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2010, and have a company executive sign the OSHA 300 log of injuries and illnesses for 2007 and 2008. One other-than-serious health violation, with no monetary penalty, has been cited for failing to have a written hazard communications program that listed hazardous chemicals in the workplace.
“Publix is well aware of the hazards the cleaning crew was exposed to, yet took no steps to safeguard employees by controlling the conveyor equipment's energy source,” said Brian Sturtecky, OSHA's area director in Jacksonville. “Exposing workers to amputation hazards is unacceptable, and corrective action must be taken immediately.”
The program focuses on recalcitrant employers that endanger workers by committing willful, repeat, or failure-to-abate violations.
Publix is a privately owned company with 1,026 supermarkets, eight distribution centers, and five manufacturing facilities with operations in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama, and Tennessee. The Jacksonville distribution center employs approximately 450 workers and has a small fresh foods manufacturing process area.
OSHA Extends Temporary Enforcement Measures in Residential Construction
OSHA will extend for six months its temporary enforcement measures in residential construction.
OSHA will continue to work with employers to ensure a clear understanding of, and to facilitate compliance with, the new policy.
Free Safety and Health Training March 22 at Construction Conference
OSHA is co-sponsoring free safety and health training for employers and workers during the 7th Annual Central Alabama Construction Safety Conference and Expo from 9:00 a.m.–3:45 p.m. CST on Thursday, March 22, at the Hyundai Training Center, 900 Hyundai Blvd., Montgomery, Alabama, 36105.
The one-day conference is designed to provide information to contractors, workers, and others about construction safety and health. Topics to be addressed during the event will include excavation and trenching, fall protection, cranes, hazardous energy lockout/tagout, welding, rigging, silica dust, scaffolding, chemical hazard communication, the National Fire Protection Association's standard for electrical safety, and OSHA's record-keeping requirements.
“This free training is a great opportunity for employers and employees to learn how to identify and correct hazards encountered at their work sites,” said Jeff Stawowy, OSHA's acting area director in Mobile. “The training sessions will benefit general industry as well as construction industry employers and employees.”
The conference is jointly sponsored by OSHA; Hyundai Motor Manufacturing of Alabama; the Associated General Contractors, Alabama Chapter; the Home Builders Association of Alabama; Alabama Power Co.; the city of Montgomery; the University of Alabama Safe State Consultation Program; the National Safety Council, Alabama Chapter; the American Subcontractors Association of Alabama; the Deep South Center for Occupational Health & Safety, University of Alabama at Birmingham and Auburn University; Coastal Insurance; Crane Works; and AFS Canteen.
J.P. Spivey Supply Cited After 2 Workers Suffer Finger Amputations
OSHA cited Mount Enterprise, Texas-based J.P. Spivey Supply for one willful and 13 serious safety and health violations after two workers had fingers amputated at the company's facility in Mount Enterprise, Texas. Proposed penalties total $57,200.
OSHA began its investigation on August 23, 2011, at the company's worksite on U.S. Highway 84 East following a report that two employees had fingers amputated from coming into contact with a moving saw blade while cutting material to be used as blocking and padding in the construction of manufactured homes.
“This company willfully disregarded OSHA's machine guarding requirement for swing cut-off saws, which resulted in two employees suffering amputations,” said Stephen Boyd, director of OSHA's Dallas Area Office. “These violations demonstrate an inexcusably lax attitude toward protecting workers from serious and tragic injuries.”
The willful violation is for failing to ensure that required machine guarding was provided on swing cut-off saws at the point of operation and all other positions of the saw.
Serious safety and health violations include, among others, failing to implement energy control procedures for machinery with more than one energy source, ensure workers were trained on the use of powered industrial trucks, ensure that electrical equipment was approved for locations that contain combustible dust, and implement a hearing conservation program to protect workers from excessive noise levels.
Fresh From Texas Cited for Electrical Hazards
OSHA cited Fresh From Texas with eight serious violations for exposing workers to numerous electrical hazards at the company's facility in San Antonio, Texas, as well as two other-than-serious violations for inadequate record keeping. Proposed penalties total $40,500.
“Electrical hazards can lead to the loss of a worker's life by electrocution. OSHA will not tolerate an employer failing to take responsibility for keeping the workplace safe,” said Jeff Funke, OSHA's area director in San Antonio. “Fortunately, in this case, no one was injured.”
The serious violations include failing to ensure that workers were provided with adequate working space around electrical equipment and that the working space was not used for storage, properly cover electrical equipment such as condenser units, ensure high-voltage equipment was not exposed to forklift traffic, protect electrical circuits from overload to prevent a possible fire and remove damaged electrical cords from service.
The other-than-serious violations include failing to adequately describe occupational injuries and illnesses on the OSHA 300 log and properly certify the OSHA 300A summary form for injuries and illnesses.
Monster Contracting Faces More than $59,000 in Fines for Fall, Other Hazards
OSHA has cited Monster Contracting LLC, for alleged willful and serious violations of safety standards at a residential construction site located at 100 Bradley St. in Manchester, New Hampshire. The Candia, New Hampshire-based framing contractor faces a total of $59,200 in proposed fines following an inspection by OSHA's Concord Area Office.
“Employees at this job site faced the risk of disabling or deadly injuries from falls, crushing injuries or being struck by flying debris or objects while operating nail guns and other tools,” said Rosemarie Ohar, OSHA's area director for New Hampshire. “Compounding the situation was the fact that these employees lacked training that would have taught them how to recognize and avoid such hazards.”
OSHA found employees exposed to falls from heights of 6–20 feet while performing exterior and interior framing work without fall protection or near unguarded window, floor and stairwell openings, which resulted in a citation for one willful violation with a $28,000 fine.
Nine serious violations with $31,200 in fines include a lack of eye protection for employees working with nail guns, power tools, and staplers; damaged and misused ladders; a damaged sling used to lift walls; the employer's failure to certify that powered industrial truck operators had been trained; unsafe access to elevated areas of the building; lumber with protruding nails in a work area; not training employees to recognize fall, material handling, electrical, and flying object hazards; and not training employees in the safe operation of power tools and the proper use of ladders.
Franklin Lumber Co. Faces $103,000 Fine for Combustible Dust, Other Hazards
OSHA initiated its inspection as part of the agency's national emphasis program to reduce employees' exposure to combustible dust hazards. Proposed penalties total $103,356.
Sixteen serious violations involve management's failure to prevent accumulations of combustible dust; provide guardrails around equipment; remove defective industrial trucks from service; and provide proper machine guards.
“There is no need to expose employees to combustible dust and other hazards we found at this plant. Employees deserve to work in a safe and healthy environment, and management needs to take responsibility for correcting these hazards,” said Clyde Payne, director of the agency's Jackson Area Office.
Four repeat violations include failing to cover live electrical parts, use permanent wiring instead of flexible cords, properly label hazardous chemicals and provide machine guards for pulleys. Similar violations were cited in 2008 as part of a fatality-related plant inspection.
Two other-than-serious violations with no monetary penalties include failing to provide covers on electrical pull and junction boxes, and to obtain and provide material safety data sheets for hazardous chemicals at the plant.
Bridgford Foods Fined and Placed in OSHA’s Severe Violators Enforcement Program
“Bridgford Foods has a history of putting its employees at risk of serious injury,” said John Hermanson, OSHA's regional administrator in Dallas. “The company needs to adhere to OSHA's standards for controlling hazardous energy and machine guarding to prevent the loss of limb and life.”
The serious violations include failing to provide required machine guarding to prevent workers from coming into contact with rotating parts on drill presses, implement energy control procedures for machinery with more than one energy source, ensure that employees are trained on the use of energy control procedures, and prevent slip and “struck-by” hazards by ensuring walkways are kept clean and dry.
The repeat violations involve failing to ensure lockout/tagout procedures of energy sources were performed by an authorized employee and that the authorized employee affixed a personal lock or tag to the group lockout device. OSHA cited the company for similar violations in February 2008 with penalties of $8,000, in September 2008 with penalties of $33,900 and in January 2010 with penalties of $106,000.
OSHA cited the company's facility on South Good Latimer Expressway in Dallas in October 2011 for 27 safety and health violations with penalties totaling $422,600.
Biodiesel Plant Cited for Process Safety Management Violations
OSHA has cited biodiesel manufacturer Sanimax Inc., for 13 safety violations at its De Forest, Wisconsin, facility.
“Failing to follow process safety management procedures to reduce workers' exposure to the unexpected release of hazardous chemicals is unacceptable,” said Kim Stille, OSHA's area director in Madison. “Employers have a responsibility to ensure that work environments are healthful and safe.”
Twelve serious violations of the PSM standard involve failing to have adequate information concerning the technologies of the process, such as safe upper and lower limits for temperature, pressures, flows and compositions; develop and implement written operating procedures; document that equipment complies with recognized and generally accepted good engineering practices; correct deficiencies in the process hazard analysis; perform inspections and tests on process equipment; document fire protection requirements prior to beginning hot work operations; implement procedures for management of change; ensure employees covered under emergency response operations were adequately trained; conduct a process hazard analysis on the hydrogen storage and transfer unit; ensure written operating procedures covered abnormal operating situations; record required equipment inspections and conduct testing at required intervals; take action to correct deficiencies noted during equipment inspections; conduct a management of change analysis when required; and respond to deficiencies noted in an audit.
One other-then-serious violation was failing to develop a written plan of action for employee participation in the process safety management of the biodiesel process.
Pipeline Industries Cited for Trenching Hazards
Proposed penalties total $180,180.
OSHA's Englewood Area Office opened an investigation at a Garland Street work site in Wheat Ridge on August 30 and a second investigation on September 8 at a North Murray Boulevard site in Colorado Springs, following reports that workers were installing sewer pipes without adequate protection from possible cave-ins.
Two willful violations include failing to install the required cave-in protection and provide a competent person to remove workers from recognized hazardous conditions.
Two serious violations include failing to maintain specific data for the shoring system in use, and to provide a safe means of access and egress from the trench.
Three repeat violations involve failing to ensure the spoil pile was placed at least 2 feet from the edge of the trench at each work site and to repair damaged ladders. Similar violations were cited in 2010 at a Denver work site.
“A trench can quickly become a grave when an employer fails to protect workers from a trenching or excavation cave-in,” said David Nelson, area director of OSHA's Englewood office. “The hazards discovered during these inspections are well recognized within the industry, yet this employer chose to put workers in harm's way.”
Beasley Forest Products Cited for Combustible Dust and Other Hazards
OSHA has cited Beasley Forest Products Inc., for 21 safety and health violations at its Sandersville, Georgia, hardwood sawmill production facility. OSHA opened an inspection in October after receiving a complaint. Proposed penalties total $78,000.
Twelve serious safety violations involve failing to develop specific lockout/tagout procedures for the energy sources of equipment, properly use compressed air for cleaning, install guardrails on walkways to prevent workers from falling 5–18 feet, provide standard handrails on stairways, provide signage prohibiting unauthorized foot or vehicle traffic where logs were being loaded and unloaded, provide machine guards, repair a damaged ladder, allow access to the circuit breaker box, and install covers on electrical boxes for the sorter control cab and the sorter system.
Four serious health violations include failing to establish and implement a hazard communication program for workers exposed to combustible dust, prevent the accumulation of combustible dust, implement a hearing conservation program, and properly store oxygen and acetylene cylinders.
Five other-than-serious safety violations with no monetary penalties include failing to certify employees who operate powered industrial trucks, mark exit doors, keep electrical wiring from being exposed, properly splice the electrical source for the sorter system and provide strain relief for electrical cords.
“This inspection has identified a range of hazards that include the accumulation of combustible dust, a lack of machine guarding and fall hazards,” said Bill Fulcher, director of OSHA's Atlanta-East Area Office. “Employers cannot wait for an OSHA inspection to identify the hazards that expose their employees to the possibility of serious injuries.”
