OSHA is withdrawing its proposed interpretation titled “Interpretation of OSHA’s Provisions for Feasible Administrative or Engineering Controls of Occupational Noise.” The interpretation would have clarified the term “feasible administrative or engineering controls” as used in OSHA’s noise standard. The proposed interpretation was published in the Federal Register on October 19, 2010.
“Hearing loss caused by excessive noise levels remains a serious occupational health problem in this country,” said Dr. David Michaels, assistant secretary of labor for occupational safety and health. “However, it is clear from the concerns raised about this proposal that addressing this problem requires much more public outreach and many more resources than we had originally anticipated. We are sensitive to the possible costs associated with improving worker protection and have decided to suspend work on this proposed modification while we study other approaches to abating workplace noise hazards.”
Michaels met earlier this month with the offices of Senator Olympia Snowe and Senator Joseph Lieberman, members of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, in response to a letter from the senators. Senators Snowe and Lieberman are also co-chairs of the Senate Task Force on Manufacturing.
Thousands of workers every year continue to suffer from preventable hearing loss due to high workplace noise levels. Since 2004, the Bureau of Labor Statistics has reported that nearly 125,000 workers have suffered significant, permanent hearing loss. In 2008 alone, BLS reported more than 22,000 hearing loss cases, and Michaels emphasized that OSHA remains committed to finding ways to reduce this toll.
As part of this effort, OSHA will:
- Conduct a thorough review of comments that have been submitted in response to the Federal Register notice and of any other information it receives on this issue.
- Hold a stakeholder meeting on preventing occupational hearing loss to elicit the views of employers, workers, and noise control and public health professionals.
- Consult with experts from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, and the National Academy of Engineering.
- Initiate a robust outreach and compliance assistance effort to provide enhanced technical information and guidance on the many inexpensive, effective engineering controls for dangerous noise levels.
For small businesses, OSHA’s On-site Consultation Program offers free and confidential advice on health and safety solutions with priority given to high-hazard worksites. Through this program, small and medium-sized employers can obtain free advice on addressing noise hazards. On-site consultation services exist in every state, and they are independent from OSHA’s enforcement efforts. On-site Consultation Program consultants, employed by state agencies or universities, work with employers to identify workplace hazards, provide advice on compliance with OSHA standards, and assist in establishing safety and health management systems.
Only Two Webcasts Remaining, Register Today for: IATA Update – What’s New for 2011?
Each year, the International Air Transportation Association (IATA) updates and revises the regulations for the transportation of dangerous goods (hazardous materials) by air. If you offer dangerous goods for transportation by air, you must follow the new regulations by January 1. A large number of significant changes are being implemented in the 2011 IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR).
At this live webcast, you will learn:
- Changes in the regulations for consumer commodities– new marking and shipping paper entries
- New test authorized to determine classification and packing group of corrosives
- Changes in the classification criteria for magnetized materials
- Revisions to the classification of environmentally hazardous substances, marine pollutants, and aquatic pollutants
- Phase in of new packing instructions for Class 3 flammable liquids, Class 4 flammable solids, Class 5 oxidizers/organic peroxides, Class 8 corrosives, Class 9 miscellaneous, and Division 6
- New entries on the IATA List of Dangerous Goods and new special provisions
- New marking requirements for net quantities, limited quantities, environmentally hazardous substances, and orientation arrows
Tampa, Florida RCRA and DOT Training
Advertising Opportunities Available
Environmental Resource Center is making a limited number of advertising positions available in the Safety Tip of the Week™, the Environmental Tip of the Week™, and the Reg of the Day™.
Initiative to Stop Electrocutions
One of the most tragic events in the workplace occurs when an employee is killed or seriously injured on the job. Because there were seven electrocutions in Michigan last year, a significant increase over the last several years, Michigan OSHA is implementing a new initiative to prevent electrocutions in both construction and general industry.
Some of the recent electrocution fatalities occurred when an employee:
- Conducted maintenance on a telephone line
- Broke into a wall with a crow bar
- Performed repair on a water pump
- Worked on a roof near an air conditioning unit
- Worked on a raised conveyor
- Picked up a downed electrical power line
MIOSHA urges proactive attention to safety and health in all workplaces to eliminate these needless deaths. The following proactive steps could save a life:
- Learn and comply with MIOSHA standards that apply to your work activities.
- Ensure workers follow safety rules.
- Understand the hazards of working with and around electricity.
- Conduct employee training.
- Provide appropriate personal protective equipment.
- Encourage workers to conduct pre-job task analysis to assess potential hazards and take precautions.
- Implement a safety and health system that engages workers.
Fatalities can be prevented with proper training, equipment, and following the MIOSHA standards that have been put into place to help employers ensure a safe workplace.
OSHA Seeks Court Order Against Gerardi Sewer & Water Co.
OSHA is seeking an administrative court order requiring Gerardi Sewer & Water Co., a Norridge, Illinois-based contractor, to provide a monthly report of its work locations to OSHA, permit unannounced jobsite audits by qualified independent consultants, and train workers annually on cave-in protection for the next two years.
“The company’s severe violator history has led us to seek this order to ensure that these worksites are safe for employees,” said Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA Dr. David Michaels. “Cave-ins are the leading cause of death in trenching operations, and Gerardi Sewer & Water Co., has demonstrated a history of blatant disregard for worker safety.”
The Labor Department filed an administrative complaint with the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission after the company contested 13 citations and $360,000 in penalties issued December 17, 2010, by OSHA.
In addition to asking the review commission to uphold the cited violations and penalties, the Labor Department is requesting the order for additional compliance requirements to assure the safety of workers on future jobsites.
The company received the citations for failing to protect workers from cave-ins during trenching operations noted in four separate inspections conducted in 2010 under the OSHA Trenching and Excavation Special Emphasis Program. The citations are for work performed for the Illinois villages of Elmhurst, Park Ridge, Oak Lawn, and Des Plaines.
“This is only the second time that the department has invoked the statutory authority to order ‘other appropriate relief,’” said Solicitor of Labor M. Patricia Smith. “All available legal tools will be used where necessary to protect workers from future harm.”
Margaret A. Sewell, a trial attorney in the Chicago Regional Office of the Labor Department’s Office of the Solicitor, filed the administrative complaint with the review commission.
Gerardi’s December citations meet the requirements of OSHA’s Severe Violator Enforcement Program, which is intended to focus OSHA enforcement resources on employers with a history of safety violations that endanger workers by demonstrating indifference to their responsibilities under the law. This enforcement tool includes mandatory OSHA follow-up inspections and inspections of other worksites of the same employer where similar hazards and deficiencies may be present.
Post OSHA 300 on February 1
An owner or officer, top official, or his or her immediate supervisor must certify on the Summary that he or she has examined your 2010 OSHA Form 300 Log of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses, and that to the best of his or her knowledge the Summary is true, accurate, and complete. The certification should be based on the executive’s knowledge of the process by which the information was obtained and recorded on the Log. To ensure the accuracy of the Form 300A, the Log itself should be reviewed for completeness and accuracy.
The annual Summary must be posted in a conspicuous place where notices to employees customarily are posted. You must continue to post the Summary through April 30, 2011.
Silver Nanoparticles in Killer Paper
The paper, described in ACS’ journal, Langmuir, contains a coating of silver nanoparticles, which are powerful anti-bacterial agents.
Aharon Gedanken and colleagues note that silver already finds wide use as a bacteria fighter in certain medicinal ointments, kitchen and bathroom surfaces, and even odor-resistant socks. Recently, scientists have been exploring the use of silver nanoparticles—each 1/50,000 the width of a human hair—as germ-fighting coatings for plastics, fabrics, and metals. Nanoparticles, which have a longer-lasting effect than larger silver particles, could help overcome the growing problem of antibiotic resistance, in which bacteria develop the ability to shrug-off existing antibiotics. Paper coated with silver nanoparticles could provide an alternative to common food preservation methods such as radiation, heat treatment, and low temperature storage, they note. However, producing “killer paper” suitable for commercial use has proven difficult.
The scientists describe development of an effective, long-lasting method for depositing silver nanoparticles on the surface of paper that involves ultrasound, or the use of high frequency sound waves. The coated paper showed potent antibacterial activity against E. coli and S. aureus, two causes of bacterial food poisoning, killing all of the bacteria in just three hours. This suggests its potential application as a food packaging material for promoting longer shelf life, they note.
California Seeks Nanomaterial Data
DTSC is requesting information from nanomaterial manufacturers about the analytical test methods to detect and measure six nanomaterials in the environment: silver, zero valent iron, zinc oxide, cerium oxide, titanium dioxide, and quantum dots.
CSB Report on 2008 Bayer CropScience Explosion Finds Multiple Deficiencies
The U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) has released its final report on the August 28, 2008, Bayer CropScience pesticide manufacturing unit explosion that killed two workers and injured eight others. In a report scheduled for Board consideration at a public meeting in Institute, West Virginia, the CSB found multiple deficiencies during a lengthy startup process that resulted in a runaway chemical reaction inside a residue treater pressure vessel. The vessel ultimately over pressurized and exploded. The vessel careened into the methomyl pesticide manufacturing unit leaving a huge fireball in its wake.
The report found that had the trajectory of the exploding vessel taken it in a different direction, pieces of it could have impinged upon and possibly caused a release from piping at the top of a tank of highly toxic methyl isocyanate (MIC).
The accident occurred during the startup of the methomyl unit, following a lengthy period of maintenance. The CSB found the startup was begun prematurely, a result of pressures to resume production of the pesticides methomyl and Larvin, and took place before valve lineups, equipment checkouts, a pre-startup safety review, and computer calibration were complete. CSB investigators also found the company failed to perform a thorough Process Hazard Analysis, or PHA, as required by regulation.
This resulted in numerous critical omissions, including an overly complex Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) that was not reviewed and approved, incomplete operator training on a new computer control system, and inadequate control of process safeguards. A principal cause of the accident, the report states, was the intentional overriding of an interlock system that was designed to prevent adding methomyl process residue into the residue treater vessel before filling the vessel with clean solvent and heating it to the minimum safe operating temperature.
Furthermore, the investigation found that critical operating equipment and instruments were not installed before the restart, and were discovered to be missing after the startup began. Bayer’s Methomyl-Larvin unit MIC gas monitoring system was not in service as the startup ensued, yet Bayer emergency personnel presumed it was functioning and claimed no MIC was released during the incident.
CSB Chairperson Dr. Rafael Moure-Eraso said, “The deaths of the workers as a result of this accident were all the more tragic because it could have been prevented had Bayer CropScience provided adequate training, and required a comprehensive pre-startup equipment checkout and strict conformance with appropriate startup procedures. This would have revealed multiple dangerous conditions and procedures that were occurring at a time when the company wanted to restart production of a key pesticide product. Startups are always a potentially hazardous operation, but to begin with computer control systems that have not been checked, while bypassing safety interlocks, is unacceptable.”
The investigation report makes recommendations to the company and its Institute plant, to OSHA, to EPA, and to several West Virginia agencies. Citing a highly successful county program to ensure refinery and chemical plant safety in Contra Costa County, California, the CSB report recommends the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources establish a “Hazardous Chemical Release Prevention Program” that would have the authority to inspect and regulate such plants, and make public its ongoing findings.
Dr. Moure-Eraso said, “I believe a state and county-run program like this would go a long way to making chemical operations safer in places like the Kanawha Valley. OSHA and EPA, have limited resources and cannot be everywhere at once. However, local jurisdictions can put together highly effective and targeted inspection and enforcement programs, funded by levies on the plants themselves. The accident rate in Contra Costa County has dropped dramatically, and last year in fact they had no significant accidents, thanks, in my view, to this program.”
CSB Investigations Manager John Vorderbrueggen noted that a major contributing factor to the accident was a series of equipment malfunctions that continually distracted operators. “Human factors played a big part in this accident, and the absence of enforced, workable standard operating procedures and adequate safety systems meant that mistakes could prove fatal. For example, operators were troubleshooting several equipment problems and during the startup, inadvertently failed to prefill the residue treater vessel with solvent. A safety interlock was designed to stop workers from introducing highly-reactive methomyl, but it was bypassed as had been done in previous operations with managers’ knowledge. Once the chemical reaction of the highly concentrated methomyl started, it could not be stopped, and the temperature and pressure inside rose rapidly, finally causing an explosion.”
Board Member John Bresland, who was CSB chairman at the time of the Bayer accident, noted the confusion that resulted in the community’s emergency response following the explosion at 10:33 p.m. “The Bayer fire brigade was at the scene in minutes, but Bayer management withheld information from the county emergency response agencies that were desperate for information about what happened, what chemicals were possibly involved,” Mr. Bresland said. “The Bayer incident commander, inside the plant, recommended a shelter in place; but this was never communicated to 911 operators. After an hour of being refused critical information, local authorities ordered a shelter-in-place, as a precaution.”
“Proper communication between companies and emergency responders during an accident is critical,” said Mr. Bresland, adding, “The community deserved better, especially considering the amounts of hazardous chemicals, in use and being stored at various chemical facilities in the Kanawha River valley.”
The CSB report notes that two workers and four volunteer firefighters required examination for possible exposure to toxic chemicals.
The investigation examined the potential consequences of a hypothetical trajectory of the careening residue treater vessel that would result in its hitting the heavy steel mesh ballistic shield surrounding the above-ground MIC tank. The analysis—using blast pressure and impact energy calculations—concluded that the shield would have protected the MIC tank from a residue treater vessel hit. However, the CSB found, had the residue treater struck the shield structure near the top of the frame, the displaced frame could have contacted an MIC pipe, which might have resulted in an MIC release into the atmosphere.
Chairperson Moure-Eraso said, “Any significant MIC release into the atmosphere along the Kanawha valley could have proven deadly, and that concern has been legitimately expressed for decades in the community. This potential was reduced when Bayer announced last year it would no longer store MIC above ground; it will be reduced to zero in approximately 18 months when the company has announced it will end MIC production and use at the Institute facility—the only place in the country still storing large quantities of MIC.”
Dr. Moure-Eraso continued, “Bayer’s decision to end pesticide production using MIC was, I understand, done for its own business reasons. But for whatever reasons, the eventual elimination of this chemical will enhance safety in the Kanawha Valley, for workers and residents alike, and is a positive development in my view.”
The CSB is an independent federal agency charged with investigating industrial chemical accidents. The agency’s board members are appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate. CSB investigations look into all aspects of chemical accidents, including physical causes such as equipment failure as well as inadequacies in regulations, industry standards, and safety management systems.
Chemical Caused Nerve Damage to Military Base Workers
The draft report, posted by Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER), finds that the chemical may be still present onsite and the area, now a parking lot, “should not be disturbed at any time in the future” without alerting environmental authorities. At least four workers were permanently disabled and are still seeking compensation for medical bills. Fort Wainwright has been on the national Superfund list since 1990 due to a number of contaminated sites.
The report by the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services entitled, “Chemical Exposure Incident at the Hangar 6 Construction Site June 29th and 30th, 2006,” has not yet been finalized. In building Aircraft Maintenance Hangar No. 6, a chemical was encountered by the construction crew that caused more than 30 workers to require hospitalization, at least 4 of whom continue to suffer disabilities.
Hangar 6 was built on the grounds of a 1940s-era structure that burned down in 2004. Despite the fact that the site was a, “designated Hazardous Waste Accumulation point,” the Corps of Engineers work-up stated, “No contaminated soils are suspected at this project location.” When the workers broke through a cap covering a black, oily substance they were immediately overcome by nausea, headaches, and a host of other symptoms. The state health report found:
- An unknown, volatile chemical likely caused nerve damage to the disabled workers;
- Even after the exposures, work continued on the site and was halted only upon discovery of an unexploded mortar shell; and
- The exposure site, now a parking lot, likely poses no further damage unless it is disturbed.
The state health report was initiated in October 2006 and the draft was completed more than four years later in November 2010. The reason for the delay in finishing the draft is not publicly known and the draft was obtained through a public records request by the attorney seeking to obtain workers’ compensation for the disabled construction crew. The draft report is awaiting final approval from the federal Centers for Disease Control, which helped finance the review.
OSHA Cites Lead Enterprises for Deliberately Failing to Protect Employees from Lead
OSHA has issued citations to Lead Enterprises Inc., in Miami, Florida, alleging that the company knowingly neglected to protect employees from lead exposure. The company is being cited with 32 safety and health violations, and $307,200 in total proposed penalties.
“This company was well aware of what it needed to do to protect its workers from a well-known hazard but failed to provide that protection,” said Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA, Dr. David Michaels. “Lead exposure can cause many serious health issues including brain damage, kidney disease and harm to the reproductive system. Such a blatant disregard for OSHA’s lead standard is shameful and will not be tolerated.”
Lead Enterprises is a lead recycling and manufacturing company that produces lead products, including fishing tackle, lead diving weights, and lead-lined walls used in medical radiology facilities.
As a follow-up to a 2009 inspection, OSHA conducted a July 2010 inspection that resulted in four willful citations and proposed penalties of $224,000. The citations allege violations of OSHA’s lead standard including exposing workers to lead above the permissible exposure limit (PEL); not providing engineering controls to reduce exposure; failure to perform ventilation measurements; failure to provide a clean change area; and failure to provide a suitable shower facility for workers exposed to lead above the permissible level. A willful violation exists when an employer has demonstrated either an intentional disregard for the requirements of the law or plain indifference to employee safety and health.
Additionally, 21 serious citations with proposed penalties of $70,400 allege that Lead Enterprises failed to perform an initial exposure determination for workers who clean the facility, to conduct quarterly monitoring, to notify workers of air monitoring results, to provide appropriate protective clothing, to maintain surfaces free from lead accumulation, to properly store oxygen and acetylene tanks in the facility, properly install production equipment, and to fix or remove defective forklift trucks. A serious citation is issued 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.
“The management of Lead Enterprises acknowledged awareness of the OSHA lead standard and the dangers associated with lead exposure but continued to allow the hazard to exist, exposing employees to a serious health risk,” said Darlene Fossum, OSHA’s area director in Fort Lauderdale.
Three repeat citations with a proposed penalty of $11,200 have been issued, alleging that the company failed to cover electrical wires on a furnace fan motor and record injuries on the OSHA recordkeeping forms for 2008 and 2010. A repeat citation is issued 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.
Two other-than-serious citations were issued with $1,600 in proposed penalties for failing to record instances of medical removal on OSHA 300 logs, and label containers that held lead-contaminated clothing. Two additional other-than-serious citations with no monetary penalties have been issued for failing to certify forklift operators and notify the laundering facility of lead exposure dangers. 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.
In August 2010, OSHA issued citations to E.N. Range Inc., in Miami, a sister company of Lead Enterprises. E.N. Range is the primary lead supplier for Lead Enterprises, and both companies have the same owner. The earlier citations alleged that E.N. Range knowingly neglected to protect employees who clean gun ranges from serious overexposure to lead. E.N. Range also was cited for providing, without medical supervision, non-Food and Drug Administration-approved treatments for lead exposure. The company was cited for more than 50 violations of the lead and other standards, with total proposed penalties of $2,099,600. It is currently contesting the citations and penalties.
30 States Announce Bills to Protect Kids and Families from Toxic Chemicals
In response to continued public concern over the presence of dangerous chemicals in household products, coupled with Congressional inaction on the matter, legislators and advocates in thirty states and the District of Columbia recently announced legislation aimed at protecting children and families from harmful chemicals. Eighteen state legislatures have already passed 71 chemical safety laws in the last eight years by an overwhelming, bipartisan margin—with more to come this year.
“With over half of state legislatures introducing policies that protect kids and families from toxic chemicals, Congress and chemical industry lobbyists should take notice. As long as toxic chemicals such as cadmium and BPA remain in consumer products, states will continue to pass commonsense policies to address this serious public health threat,” said Laurie Valeriano, Policy Director at the Washington Toxics Coalition in Seattle, Washington.
Increasing rates of chronic diseases linked to toxic chemical exposure, including cancer, asthma, and infertility have created an urgency in state capitols to enact policies to get harmful chemicals off the market.
Bills to be considered in the 30 states include: bans on BPA and hazardous flame retardants in consumer products; requirements that children’s product manufacturers use only the safest chemicals; and resolutions urging Congress to overhaul the 1976 Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA).
Policies to be considered in 2011 state legislatures include:
- Comprehensive State Laws
Nine states, including Connecticut, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Oregon, Washington, and Vermont, will be introducing or have introduced policies to change the way chemicals are regulated at the state level. - BPA Phase Outs
At least 17 states will be introducing or have introduced policies to restrict the use of BPA in infant formula cans, receipt paper, baby bottles, and/or sippy cups including: Connecticut, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, and the District of Columbia. - State TSCA Resolutions
At least 11 states will be calling on the 112th U.S. Congress to bring our federal chemicals policy into the 21st century: Alaska, California, Delaware, Georgia, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Montana, South Dakota, Texas, and Wisconsin. - Banning Cadmium in Children’s Products
At least eight states will be introducing or have introduced policies to ban the use of cadmium in children’s products, including: Florida, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, New Jersey, and New York. - Deca BDE (toxic flame retardant) Phase Outs
At least three states will be introducing or have introduced policies to reduce exposure to deca BDE, including: Alaska, Massachusetts, New York, and the District of Columbia. - Legislation planned
Chemical safety legislation is also planned in South Dakota. - This first-ever analysis of votes on state laws aimed at protecting the public from toxic chemicals found that, of more than 9,000 votes cast by state legislators, 73% of Republicans and 99% of Democrats favored stronger protection of children’s health and the environment from dangerous chemicals, with equal support from governors of each party. The report found that the pace of state policymaking on chemicals has more than tripled in eight years.
Greenstar Fined for Potentially Exposing Workers to Bloodborne Pathogens
OSHA has issued Greenstar Mid-America LLC, 10 serious and 10 other-than-serious citations after an inspection found that workers processing trash were not protected against hypodermic needle sticks and other hazards at the company’s facility in San Antonio, Texas. Proposed penalties total $53,000.
“This company has put its workers’ health at risk by potentially exposing them to bloodborne pathogens, such as hepatitis B,” said Jeff Funke, director of OSHA’s San Antonio Area Office. “In this case, it is fortunate that no evidence suggests any workers have contracted a disease.”
OSHA’s San Antonio Area Office initiated a safety and health inspection on July 28, 2010, at the company’s facility on Cornerway Boulevard, following a complaint that employees were being stuck by hypodermic needles while sorting trash that was to be recycled.
Serious citations allege failure to provide puncture-resistant gloves for handling trash, provide a tie-off point to prevent employees from falling, use lockout/tagout procedures on machinery, provide a fire alarm system, ensure a fire evacuation plan was followed, and ensure workers facing exposure to hepatitis B are vaccinated.
The other-than-serious citations allege failure to record injuries within a seven-day period, record restricted days, record days when workers were absent, and complete logs with detailed information.
Houston, Texas-based Greenstar is a private national recycling facility that recycles paper, glass, and plastic waste from municipal curbside bins. The company employs approximately 145 workers in San Antonio and approximately 1,000 nationwide.
Demolition Contractor Fined $52,500 for Fall and Lead Hazards
OSHA has cited MJ Scoville Inc., a Binghamton, New York, demolition contractor, for nine willful and serious violations of workplace safety and health standards at a building renovation site at 83 Court St. in Binghamton. The contractor faces a total of $52,500 in proposed fines, primarily for fall and lead hazards.
OSHA’s inspection found Scoville employees exposed to falls of up to 40 feet while working without fall protection as they took down the walls of a fourth floor elevator shaft as well as 14-foot falls from an unguarded scaffold. The employer also failed to conduct personal air monitoring to determine lead exposure levels for employees performing demolition work with materials known to be covered with lead paint, and did not implement interim protective measures including respiratory protection, biological monitoring, medical surveillance, clean change areas, and employee training on lead hazards.
“These are two of the most common and well-known hazards workers can face during demolition operations and must be effectively addressed by the employer on each and every jobsite,” said Christopher Adams, OSHA’s area director in Syracuse. “Falls can injure or kill a worker in seconds while lead exposure can damage the kidneys and the central nervous, cardiovascular, reproductive and hematological systems.”
The company was issued two willful citations with $42,000 in fines and seven serious citations with $10,500 in fines.
OSHA Cites Durasol for Emergency Response, Respirator, Chemical, Electrical, and Other Hazards
OSHA has cited Durasol Corp., for 13 alleged serious violations of workplace health and safety standards at its Amesbury, Massachusetts, manufacturing plant. The manufacturer of hard gum erasers faces a total of $43,800 in proposed fines.
OSHA’s inspection found a variety of emergency response, respirator, electrical, and chemical hazards. The citations were issued for a lack of an emergency action plan, inadequate employee training in responding to emergencies, inadequate respirator training, lack of respirator fit-testing and medical evaluation, failure to evaluate respiratory hazards, unmarked exit routes, unlabeled containers of chemicals, severely corroded electrical equipment, an extension cord used in place of permanent wiring, inadequately guarded floor holes, missing stair rails, and an uninspected and improperly located emergency eyewash/shower.
“These citations represent a cross section of deficiencies that, left uncorrected, expose workers to chemical and electrical hazards and to the consequences of not knowing how to respond in the event of an emergency,” said Jeffrey Erskine, OSHA’s area director for Essex and Middlesex counties in Massachusetts. “Prompt and effective corrective action by the company is warranted to ensure the health and well-being of the workers.”
Avery Dennison-Riverside Distribution Center Earns OSHA Star
OSHA has recognized the Avery Dennison-Riverside Distribution Center in Riverside, Missouri, as a Star site, the highest level of recognition offered by OSHA’s Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP). Management and employees were commended for their achievement with the company’s employee safety and health program.
The company, which converts bulk rolls of paper and film materials into smaller roll widths/lengths for the narrow web industry, earned this recognition following a comprehensive on-site evaluation by a team of OSHA safety and health experts. The company employs about 30 workers at its Riverside facility.
“From the top down, Avery Dennison-Riverside has displayed an outstanding effort in implementing a comprehensive safety and health management system,” said Charles E. Adkins, OSHA’s regional administrator in Kansas City. “The company is an exemplar of workplace safety.”
In VPP, management, labor, and OSHA work cooperatively and proactively to prevent fatalities, injuries, and illnesses through a system focused on hazard prevention and control, worksite analysis, training, management commitment, and worker involvement.
To participate, employers must submit an application to OSHA and undergo a rigorous on-site evaluation by a team of safety and health professionals. Union support is required for applicants represented by a bargaining unit. VPP participants are re-evaluated every three to five years to remain in the programs. VPP participants are exempt from OSHA programmed inspections while they maintain their VPP status.
Tesoro Petroleum Refinery Earns OSHA Star
OSHA has recognized the Tesoro Petroleum refinery in Mandan, North Dakota, for an exemplary workplace safety and health program. The petroleum refinery was designated as a Star site, the highest level of recognition offered by OSHA’s VPPs.
“This award reflects a consistent focus and commitment to workplace safety and health at the Tesoro Mandan refinery,” said Greg Baxter, OSHA’s regional administrator in Denver, Colorado. “The employees, their union and the company have analyzed workplace hazards, trained employees and contractors to prevent hazards, and held themselves to a high standard of performance.”
To date, Tesoro Mandan is the only refinery in OSHA’s six-state Region 8 to receive this prestigious recognition.
Mike Maslowski, an OSHA compliance assistance specialist in Bismarck, presented the VPP award to the worksite representatives. According to Maslowski, the Tesoro safety and health program has many aspects that are considered best practices. “The site’s emergency preparedness and response teams, proactive hazard analysis systems, ‘Triangle of Prevention System’ incident investigation program and employee training systems are all noteworthy,” he said.
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