As residents of New England, New York, and New Jersey recover from the impact of Hurricane Sandy, OSHA urges workers and members of the public engaged in cleanup activities to be aware of the hazards they might encounter and the necessary steps they should take to protect themselves.
“Recovery work should not put you in the recovery room,” said Marthe Kent, OSHA's New England regional administrator. “Storm recovery work involves a wide range of safety and health hazards, which can be minimized by knowledge, safe work practices, and personal protective equipment. OSHA wants to make certain that no casualties result from cleanup operations.”
Cleanup work can involve restoring electricity, communications, water and sewer services; demolition activities; removal of floodwater from structures; entry into flooded areas; cleaning up debris; tree trimming; structural, roadway, bridge, dam and levee repair; use of cranes, aerial lifts and other heavy equipment; hazardous waste operations; and emergency response activities.
Inherent hazards may include illness from exposure to contaminated water or food, exposure to the elements and heat stress, downed electrical wires, carbon monoxide and electrical hazards from portable generators, fall and struck-by hazards from tree trimming or working at heights, being caught in unprotected excavations or confined spaces, burns, lacerations, musculoskeletal injuries, being struck by traffic or heavy equipment, and drowning from being caught in moving water or while removing water from flooded structures.
Protective measures should involve evaluating the work area for all hazards; task-specific hazard exposure monitoring; utilizing engineering or work practice controls to mitigate hazards; using personal protective equipment; assuming all power lines are live; following proper hygiene procedures; using portable generators, saws, ladders, vehicles and other equipment correctly; and utilizing proper precautions for traffic work zones.
It contains fact sheets, concise "quick cards," frequently asked questions, safety and health guides, and additional information in English and Spanish.
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The Controversy Over Flame Retardants in Millions of Sofas, Chairs and Other Products
Flame retardants in the polyurethane foam of millions of upholstered sofas, overstuffed chairs and other products have ignited a heated debate over safety, efficacy and fire-safety standards — and a search for alternative materials.
An overview of the package describes the controversy, fostered largely by a California chemist, who claims that flame retardants pose unacceptable toxic hazards and do not work as effectively as widely believed. It points out, however, that numerous fire-safety experts question those claims about flame retardants, which have saved thousands of lives.
A second article, by William G. Schulz, C&EN news editor, takes a closer look at the anti-flame retardant campaign and how it has outraged fire-safety scientists. In another article, C&EN Senior Correspondent Cheryl Hogue describes how the US Environmental Protection Agency is taking steps to make sure flame retardants are safe for people and the environment. An additional article by Alexander H. Tullo, C&EN senior editor, describes efforts to develop new polymeric materials that will put to rest uncertainty over brominated flame retardants.
USGS Release: USGS and Google Partner on Emergency Alerts
Emergency notifications for earthquakes, severe weather and other public safety matters are now available through Google Public Alerts. The system provides access to information during crises through the online tools you use every day.
The Google Crisis Response team wants to make it easy for people to find critical information during emergencies and is doing so by partnering with authoritative sources to include public alert data into Google products.
Earthquake data from the US Geological Survey (USGS) have been incorporated into the system, as well as weather data from the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Weather Service.
"From having been on the front line of several crises, I know personally that the Internet can get populated with misinformation that confuses the public and can interfere with response efforts," said USGS Director Marcia McNutt. “I am very grateful for this partnership with Google to point people to authoritative sources of critical information when they need it most.”
Users will see public alerts in Google Search and Google Maps based on search queries such as “earthquake Hawaii” or “weather Tampa Florida.” In addition to the alert, you’ll also see relevant response information such as event descriptions, safety tips, maps, and links to websites with useful information.
“Integrating USGS earthquake data into Google platforms, in addition to already providing it on our own websites, allows us to reach even more people and hopefully mitigate the effects of earthquakes,” said USGS seismologist David Oppenheimer. “The USGS is always looking for new ways to raise awareness of natural hazards.”
Within minutes after an earthquake occurs, the USGS records and publishes information on the origin time, location and magnitude. This information is now distributed simultaneously on Google websites.
The USGS has created and provides information tools to support earthquake loss reduction, including hazard assessments, scenarios, comprehensive real-time earthquake monitoring and public preparedness handbooks. Learn more about the USGS Earthquake Hazards Program by visiting their website.
When you feel an earthquake, tell USGS scientists about it.
GP Roofing & Construction Cited by OSHA for Exposing Workers to Fall, Other Hazards
OSHA has cited Palm Coast, Florida-based GP Roofing & Construction, LLC, with three willful safety violations for exposing workers to fall and other hazards while they were conducting roofing work at a new residential site in the Aberdeen subdivision of St. Johns. OSHA initiated an inspection in June as part of the agency's Local Emphasis Program on Fall Hazards in Construction. Proposed penalties total $72,600.
The violations involve failing to provide eye protection for workers using pneumatic nail guns, fall protection for workers installing roofing materials on steep-pitched roofs, and a safe means for workers to access and exit a 19-foot-high roof. 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.
"The danger of fall hazards cannot be overstated. Falls are the leading cause of death in the construction industry," said Brian Sturtecky, OSHA's area director in Jacksonville. "When fall protection is absent, workers are only steps away from a deadly or disabling plunge. This employer must take effective steps to ensure that proper safeguards are in place and in use at all job sites."
In April, OSHA began a campaign to provide employers and workers with lifesaving information and educational materials about working safely from ladders, scaffolds and roofs in an effort to prevent deadly falls in the construction industry. In 2010, more than 10,000 construction workers were injured as a result of falling while working from heights, and more than 250 were killed. The campaign was developed in partnership with the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health and NIOSH's National Occupational Research Agenda program.
OSHA Cites History Construction Management for Exposing Workers to Lead
OSHA has cited History Construction Management, LLC in Odell, Illinois, for 22 alleged serious health violations. OSHA opened an inspection in May in response to a complaint and found that some workers were exposed to airborne lead at more than 40 times the permissible limit. Proposed fines total $59,200.
"Employers such as History Construction Management have a responsibility to ensure that operations are conducted in a way that eliminates or minimizes lead hazards, including exposure," said Tom Bielema, director of OSHA's Peoria Area Office. "Training workers to recognize lead hazards and take necessary precautions to prevent exposure is necessary to protect their health."
Fifteen of the violations relate to OSHA's lead standard, including failing to implement engineering and work practice controls to reduce exposure, collect full shift personal samples for monitoring, provide clean protective clothing, provide clean changing rooms or separate storage facilities for protective work clothing to prevent cross-contamination with street clothes, keep surface and eating areas free from lead dust accumulation, properly sweep up lead dust, provide training to employees about lead and post lead hazard warning signs.
Five violations of OSHA's respiratory protection standard involve failing to implement a respirator protection program that includes proper respirator selection, medical evaluation, fit testing, and training. The remaining two violations are using flexible electrical cords as a substitute for fixed wiring and improperly altering electrical cords.
History Construction Management, which specializes in restoring windows for historical buildings, previously was cited by OSHA in 2009 for failing to provide a hazard communications program and require the use of personal protective equipment.
OSHA Proposes $58,000 in Fines to New Castle Recycling Company for 27 Workplace Safety, Health Hazards
OSHA has cited Donald R. Klein, doing business as Vortex Recycling, Inc., for one repeat, 25 serious, and one other-than-serious violation of safety and health standards. OSHA initiated an inspection of the company's New Castle, Pennsylvania, facility in response to a complaint. Proposed penalties total $58,000.
The repeat violation involves failing to remove defective or unsafe powered industrial trucks from service. The citation carries a $5,600 fine. 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 similar violation was cited in 2008.
The serious violations include a variety of fall, electrical and struck-by hazards; using equipment that is improperly installed, identified and located; improperly maintaining emergency eyewash stations, shower facilities and portable fire extinguishers; having unguarded machinery; crane deficiencies; a lack of proper housekeeping procedures for areas around plant equipment; and failing to develop programs for energy control, hearing conservation, permit-required confined spaces and hazard communication. The citations carry $51,700 in penalties.
The other-than-serious violation is having unsanitary eating areas. The citation carries a $700 penalty. 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.
"These violations pose serious risks to Vortex Recycling workers and must be addressed immediately," said Theresa A. Naim, director of OSHA's Erie Area Office. "Employers are responsible for ensuring safe and healthful workplaces, and will be held legally accountable when they fail to do so."
Newton Medical Provider Cited by OSHA After Workers Exposed to Biohazards
New England Hematology/Oncology Associates, PC, a medical service provider in Newton, Massachusetts, has been cited by OSHA for an alleged willful and an alleged serious violation of workplace safety standards after an OSHA inspection revealed that workers were being exposed to biohazards. Proposed penalties total $46,900.
OSHA's Andover Area Office initiated the inspection in April in response to complaints by medical workers that the needles used to treat cancer patients were not safety-engineered devices and that, in removing the needles, workers were at risk of needlestick injuries. OSHA found that the workers were potentially exposed to bloodborne pathogens from needlesticks because safer needle systems, such as automatically sheathing needles, were not used.
OSHA also found that the medical provider had been made aware by workers that a safer needle system was needed, but continued to use a system that was not engineered to reduce the risk of injury. As a result, OSHA has issued a citation carrying a $42,000 fine for one willful violation.
"The willful violation exists because the employer initially agreed to address the issue, as required by the regulation, but did not follow through," said Jeffrey Erskine, OSHA's area director in Andover. "This medical provider put workers at risk of coming into contact with needlestick injuries because it failed to use the safest technology available to them."
OSHA also has issued a citation with a $4,900 fine for one serious violation that involves failing to review and update an exposure control plan; document the evaluation and implementation of appropriate, commercially available, and effective medical devices designed to minimize occupational bloodborne pathogen exposure; and document employees' hepatitis B vaccination status. 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.
OSHA will Hold Meeting of the National Advisory Committee on Occupational Safety and Health
OSHA has scheduled a meeting of the National Advisory Committee on Occupational Safety and Health November 14–15, 2012, in Washington, D.C. The NACOSH Effectiveness Measures Work Group will meet November 14, and the full committee will meet November 15.
NACOSH was established under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 to advise the secretaries of labor and health and human services on occupational safety and health programs and policies.
The NACOSH Effectiveness Measures Work Group was established to provide recommendations for measuring the effectiveness of OSHA’s strategies, programs, and activities. The tentative agenda includes a report from the work group; remarks from Dr. David Michaels, assistant secretary of labor for occupational safety and health, and Dr. John Howard, director, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health; and comments from the public.
The work group and committee meetings will be held in Room S-4215 A-C, US Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20210. The NACOSH work group will meet from 1–4 p.m., November 14. The committee will meet 9 a.m.–5 p.m., November 15.
NACOSH committee and work group meetings are open to the public. Submissions may also be sent by mail or facsimile. Comments must be submitted by November 2, 2012.
DTE Energy's Belle River Power Plant Receives State Award for Outstanding Safety and Health Record
DTE Energy's Belle River Power Plant received the CET Gold Award for an outstanding safety and health record from the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA). The MIOSHA program is part of the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA).
"We are honored to present this award to DTE Energy. Power plants have significant workplace hazards and we are pleased to recognize DTE's exemplary record of protecting its workers," said LARA Deputy Director Rob Nederhood. "DTE Energy's dedication sends the message to Michigan employers that focusing on safety up front is a sound business decision."
MIOSHA Director Martha Yoder presented the award to Paul Fessler, Vice President of Fossil Generation. Local officials were invited to congratulate the company on its outstanding achievement. Invited guests, management personnel, and employees attended the presentation and luncheon.
The MIOSHA Consultation Education and Training (CET) Division recognizes the safety and health achievements of Michigan employers and employees through CET Awards, which are based on excellent safety and health performance. The CET Gold Award recognizes two years without a lost-time accident.
"This Gold Award is a great achievement for the Belle River Power Plant employees," said Fessler. "Safety is the highest priority at this plant and throughout DTE Energy. More important than the award and recognition is the fact that our employees go home to their families safe and healthy at the end of every day."
Besides going more than two years without a lost-time accident, the facility has completed the following criteria to receive the Gold Award:
- Developed and implemented a comprehensive safety and health management system
- Established a safety and health committee, with both employee and management participation
- Developed an employee training system, with an emphasis on how to do the work in a safe and healthful manner
- Worked diligently to change their workplace culture to reflect the importance of worker safety
"Companies that establish an integrated safety and health program reap the benefits of significantly reducing their injury and illness rates," said Yoder. "Reducing these rates not only protects employees—it has a healthy impact on a company's bottom line."
Belle River Power Plant Manager Justin Morren said this achievement would not have been possible without a personal commitment to safety by every employee. "Everyone has to be aware of potential hazards that could jeopardize their own safety, but everyone also has to take a personal responsibility for the safety of their co-workers," Morren said. "Without a team effort where every worker is focused on the health and safety of their fellow employees, we could not achieve the safety levels that have earned us this recognition."
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