Robotic Talking Head Speaks Out in Support of Respirator Fit Research

Use of the talking head will greatly expand the opportunities for research into respirator inward leakage: ways in which respirator wearers may be exposed to various aerosol particles that could penetrate through the respirator or creep in through the sides as they go about their work.

NIOSH used the measurements of 3,997 individuals, 1,013 of whom had their facial measurements taken with a laser scanner, in order to create five digital headform sizes.  In fact, researchers have engineered a way for them to recite the “rainbow passage,” a poetic string of words describing prisms of light and a pot of gold that models all possible movements of the human mouth. This simulated speech allows for researchers to test how well respirators fit to a face that moves and speaks, potentially affecting ultimate fit.

“Over five million Americans are required to wear respirators in their workplace,” says Dr. Maryann D’Alessandro, Director of NPPTL. “The talking head is an innovative scientific advance that offers transformational promise to better understanding respiratory protection and respirator fit for an increasingly diverse workforce.”

It is covered in silicone elastomer artificial skin, which offers several special characteristics that allow for it to mimic the skin on a human face:

• First, the softness of the material compares well to that of human facial tissues, and elongates or stretches in a way similar to human skin
• Second, because the material is a porous material, it is able to be compressed in a similar manner as the fluid-filled cellular material of the human face, reproducing natural creases and folds
• Thirdly, this artificial skin has specified tissue depths for different locations of the face, similar to the inner workings of the human face

According to Ziqing Zhuang, Ph.D., a research team leader at NIOSH, the robotic talking head can be beneficial for respirator fit evaluation research because it does not require human subject review board clearance, nor does it experience weight changes or fatigue.

“The talking head will be used to research potential respirator leakage using biological aerosols such as the HIN1 influenza,” says Dr. Zhuang. “Development of this robotic headform was needed for these types of studies because older type headforms, which usually had hard surfaces or were covered only with a thin skin of plastic or rubber, could not form a good respirator seal to the face.”

 NIOSH-approved N95 respirators are commonly used in the healthcare industry to reduce exposure to respiratory pathogens like influenza. Preliminary evaluation results from an early prototype of the headform show the usefulness of headforms with skin-like surfaces as a tool for gauging respirator fit among different FFR models. Research is ongoing to determine the correlation of N95 FFRs fit on the talking headform compared with how they fit on people.

New Proposition 65 Carcinogens Listed

The California Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) intends to list the chemicals identified in the table below as known to the State to cause cancer under the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986. The Act, commonly known as Proposition 65, is codified in Health and Safety Code section 25249.5 et seq. This action is being taken pursuant to the Labor Code mechanism contained in Health and Safety Code section 25249.8(a).

Also, effective August 7, 2013, OEHHA added emissions from combustion of coal to the list of chemicals known to the State to cause cancer for purposes of Proposition 65.

Health and Safety Code section 25249.8(a) incorporates California Labor Code Sections 6382(b)(1) and 6382(d) into Proposition 65. The law requires that certain substances identified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) be listed as known to cause cancer under Proposition 65. Labor Code section 6382(b)(1) refers to substances identified as human or animal carcinogens by IARC. Labor Code section 6382(d) refers to chemicals that are within the scope of the federal Hazard Communications Standard. The Federal Hazard Communications Standard relies on chemical designations made by IARC. 

As the lead agency for the implementation of Proposition 65, OEHHA evaluates whether chemical listing is required by Proposition 65.

 IARC concludes that chloral and chloral hydrate are each classified in Group 2A (the agent is “probably carcinogenic to humans”) and1,1,1,2-tetrachloroethane andtrichloroacetic acidare each classified in Group 2B (the agent is “possibly carcinogenic to humans”). IARC concludes that there is “sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity in experimental animals” for chloral, chloral hydrate, 1,1,1,2-tetrachloroethane and trichloroacetic acid . Therefore, these substances meet the requirements of both Labor Code sections 6382(b)(1) and (d).

GHS OSHA Hazard Communication Training PowerPoint Now Available

With OSHA’s adoption of the Globally Harmonized System (GHS) for the classification and labeling of hazardous chemicals, virtually every chemical label, MSDS—now called Safety Data Sheet (SDS), and written hazard communication plan must be revised to meet the new standard.

By December 1, 2013, all employees at your site that work with, or are exposed to, hazardous chemicals must be trained to understand the new classification system, labels, warning statements, precautions, pictograms, and safety data sheets for chemicals at your worksite.

Environmental Resource Center is making available a PDF presentation or a customizable PowerPoint that you can use for on-site worker training. The training program, which covers all of OSHA’s required GHS Hazard Communication training requirements in a format that is easy to understand.

Pricing and options:

Options:

1. Customized PowerPoint: send us your written GHS hazard communication plan and 10–20 safety data sheets. We’ll create a custom training program for your site: $899
2. If you have not updated your hazard communication plan, let Environmental Resource Center update it for you: $799
3. Customized PowerPoint and hazard communication plan: $1600.

How to Implement OSHA’s Globally Harmonized Hazard Communication Standard (GHS)

OSHA has issued a final rule revising its Hazard Communication Standard, aligning it with the United Nations’ globally harmonized system (GHS) for the classification and labeling of hazardous chemicals. This means that virtually every product label, safety data sheet (formerly called “material safety data sheet” or MSDS), 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 SDSs.

Food Production Plant Faces Large Fine for Process Safety Management Violations

OSHA received complaints alleging hazards with the ammonia refrigeration systems at those facilities. A fire at the Burlington facility January 30 resulted in the destruction of a portion of the plant’s ammonia refrigeration system, causing significant property damage. No serious injuries were reported.

“By disregarding OSHA’s standards to train employees on ammonia hazards, compressors and safety procedures, Echo Lake Foods endangered workers at both its Wisconsin facilities,” said Christine Zortman, OSHA’s area director in Milwaukee. “OSHA is committed to protecting workers on the job, especially those exposed to hazardous materials, and educating employers about safety and health regulations.”

Twenty-two process safety management violations at both facilities involve multiple instances of not addressing the consequences of the failure of various engineering and administrative controls. The company also failed to address procedures to perform oil draining activities safely for ammonia compressors and provide and document worker training involving the ammonia systems and related operating equipment.

In Burlington, four additional serious violations include insufficient safety guardrails on platforms; inadequate exit routes; lack of an emergency eyewash station near a compressor room, posing potential exposure to anhydrous ammonia; and missing cover plates on several electrical switches. In Franksville, one additional serious violation includes failing to certify that periodic inspections of hazardous energy control procedures had been performed. 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.

Echo Lake Foods, Inc., employs 450 workers companywide. In addition to Burlington and Franksville, the company operates a production and storage facility in Owensboro, Kentucky. The Wisconsin facilities have been inspected by OSHA 13 times and issued 45 citations. The Kentucky facility has received two violations.

Poultry Processor Cited for Exposing Workers to Chemical Hazards

The inspection, which began in January, was initiated under the agency’s Process Safety Management Covered Chemical Facilities National Emphasis Program. PSM encompasses a detailed set of requirements and procedures employers must follow to address hazards proactively that are associated with processes and equipment that use large amounts of hazardous chemicals. In this case, it’s the use of anhydrous ammonia in the refrigeration system.

A willful violation, with a $70,000 fine, was cited for failing to document that the emergency shutdown system for the engine room was designed to ensure that the mechanical ventilation system was activated by an ammonia leak. 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 nine serious violations, with a $61,500 fine, were cited for PSM deficiencies of the relief valves and failing to provide process hazard analysis, operating procedures, testing procedures, and management of change procedures.

The repeat violation, with a fine of $38,500, was cited for failing to ensure the adequate frequency of self-inspections and tests of ammonia refrigeration equipment and vessels. 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 2011.

. “It’s vital that Pilgrim’s Pride ensure safeguards are in place to protect the safety of workers at its work sites.”

The company, headquartered in Greeley, Colorado, employs about 1,400 workers at the De Queen plant.

Greensboro RCRA and DOT Training

Richmond RCRA and DOT Training

Indianapolis RCRA, DOT, and EHS Training

IVEX Protective Packaging Issued 21 Safety Citations Following OSHA Investigation

OSHA’s January inspection followed an explosion that resulted in the injury of three workers and significant property damage at the Sidney polyethylene foam product manufacturing facility.

The explosion occurred when isobutane gas entered exhaust ductwork associated with the foam extrusion manufacturing process, and it was ignited by the regenerative thermal oxidizer. When OSHA inspected the facility, it found multiple violations of OSHA’s standards for process safety management of highly hazardous chemicals.

“By disregarding OSHA’s standards for developing safety procedures and training workers on the consequence of a lack of engineering controls or deviation from operating limits, this employer endangered its workers,” said Kim Nelson, OSHA’s area director in Toledo. “OSHA is committed to protecting workers on the job, especially those exposed to hazardous materials, and educating employers about safety and health regulations.”

This includes documentation showing that all covered equipment complies with generally accepted engineering practices and has a completed process hazard analysis. The company also failed to have detailed operating procedures, provide operator and maintenance technician training, and develop an inspection and testing program.

The company’s four additional serious violations include a lack of machine guarding, failing to document specific hazardous energy control procedures, not applying lockout devices to machinery during servicing, failing to shut down machinery prior to servicing, and not providing flame-retardant clothing for workers exposed to fire/explosion hazards.

The company employs 47 workers at its Sidney facility and approximately 192 worldwide.

Martin Operating Partnership Fined $126,900 for Exposing Workers to Hazards

The inspection, which began in January, was a follow-up to a 2010 inspection initiated under the agency’s Petroleum Refinery Process Safety Management National Emphasis Program. PSM encompasses a detailed set of requirements and procedures employers must follow to address hazards proactively that are associated with processes and equipment that use large amounts of hazardous chemicals. In this case, it involves the production of naphthenic crude oil.

The one willful violation involve failing to ensure relief valves were properly sized and of adequate capacity to provide relief, for units such as, but not limited to, Crude Unit #1.

The repeat violation involves failing to ensure process safety information included the relief system design for a Crude Unit. A similar violation was cited in the 2010 inspection.

Three serious violations were cited for failing to ensure intervening block valves, upstream and downstream of relief devices, were locked in the open position; ensure process hazard analysis recommendations for facility siting were resolved in a timely manner; and ensure energy control procedures were written to specifically relieve stored energy.

“Process safety management prevents the unexpected release of toxic, reactive or flammable liquids and gases in processes involving highly hazardous chemicals,” said Carlos Reynolds, OSHA’s area director in Little Rock. “It’s vital that Martin Operating Partnership ensure safeguards are in place to protect the safety of workers.”

Houston Manufacturer Fined $85,400 for Exposing Workers to Amputation, Electrical, and Noise Hazards

OSHA has cited DeWalch Technologies, Inc., with 32 safety and health violations. The proposed fines total $85,400 for exposing workers to amputation, electrical, noise, and other workplace hazards at its manufacturing facility on Wynnwood Lane in Houston. OSHA’s Houston North Area Office began the inspection under its regional emphasis program on the manufacture of fabricated metal products.

Six of the 25 serious violations were cited under the mechanical power press standard, including the lack of a properly functioning emergency stop button, improperly guarded foot pedal and presses, unmarked power press dies that lack appropriate information to operate the press, and failing to conduct press inspections.

The remaining serious violations include failing to implement a hearing conservation program; secure hoisted loads; regulate compressed air to below 30 pounds per square inch to blow metal shavings; guard equipment; and implement a hazard communication program that includes employee training and proper labeling on chemicals. Violations under the electrical standard were also cited, including obstructed access to overcurrent devices, no grounding pins on electrical cords and failing to ensure unused openings in electrical equipment were closed.

Five of the seven other-than-serious violations were cited under the electrical standard, including using multiple power strips instead of a permanent electrical outlet to power equipment; using flexible cords as a substitute for permanent wiring; failing to provide edge protection for electrical cords; and use a ground fault circuit interrupter for drinking fountains. The remaining violations include failing to secure mechanical power presses to the floor and legibly marking the rated load for a pallet jack. 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.

“This company failed to protect its workers from possible amputation, electrical and other safety and health hazards,” said David Doucet, OSHA’s area director in the Houston North office.

Anchor Hocking Co. Fined $74,600 after Worker Suffers Burns at Glass Manufacturing Plant

EveryWare Global, Inc., which operates as Anchor Hocking Co., has been cited by OSHA with nine safety violations carrying proposed penalties of $74,600. OSHA initiated its inspection January 25 after a machine operator reportedly suffered burns when his clothing caught fire after being saturated with oil mist at the Lancaster facility.

“Employers, such as Anchor Hocking, have a responsibility to assess the hazards in their manufacturing processes. They need to ensure workers use personal protective equipment and use common-sense safety measures to prevent injury,” said Deborah Zubaty, OSHA’s area director in Columbus. “The investigation found that several workers had suffered injuries due to a lack of safety procedures.”

One repeat violation was cited for using flexible cords in place of permanent wiring for a shop light. The same violation was cited at this facility in 2012.

The other four serious violations cited involve OSHA’s hazardous energy control standards, which prevent the unintentional operation of machinery or equipment that can lead to injuries, such as being caught in machines and amputation. The company failed to turn off machines while servicing equipment, require the use of lockout/tagout procedures and train workers on such procedures.

Anchor Hocking, headquarted in Lancaster, is the second largest supplier of glassware in the United States. It has been inspected by OSHA 17 times nationwide in the past 20 years.

Hospital and Contractor Face $53,000 in Fines for Multiple Safety Violations

The companies face a combined total of $53,200 in proposed fines, following inspections by OSHA’s Buffalo Area Office begun April 18 in response to a complaint.

The hospital had contracted DGA Builders to perform demolition/renovation work at a location where asbestos-containing material was present. OSHA’s inspection found that, prior to the start of work, the hospital did not determine the presence, location, and quantity of asbestos-containing materials in the work area and did not label such materials and post warning signs.

In addition, both the hospital and DGA failed to provide proper asbestos exposure monitoring, implement adequate engineering and work practice controls to limit exposure levels, provide adequate training for workers, implement a respiratory protection program, and inform other contractors of the presence of the materials, as well as requirements and protective measures for workers.

“This is a situation that could have been avoided if the proper protective steps had been taken at the onset of the job,” said Art Dube, OSHA’s area director in Buffalo. “In failing to do so, both employers put workers at risk of asbestos exposure.”

As a result, OSHA issued eight serious citations to the hospital, with $40,000 in fines, while DGA Builders was issued six serious citations with $13,200 in fines.

“To prevent incidents like this from occurring, employers should implement an effective illness and injury prevention program in which they will work with their employees to identify, address and eliminate hazards before they harm workers,” said Robert Kulick, OSHA’s regional administrator in New York.

Theatrical Equipment Company Fined Nearly $50,000 for Exposing Workers to Hazards

OSHA has cited Acadia Scenic, Inc., which builds scenery for the entertainment industry, with 22 safety and health violations, including two willful. The citations followed an April inspection, prompted by the agency’s Health-High-Hazard Top 50 Local Emphasis Program and its Amputations and Combustible Dust Emphasis Program. Proposed penalties total $49,600.

The willful violations, with $28,000 in penalties, were cited for a lack of guarding on hand-fed circular ripsaws and crosscut table saws.

The 19 serious violations, with $21,200 in penalties, include the company’s failure to keep the workplace clean and orderly; prevent accumulations of explosive dust; provide railings on stairs; establish or implement a written respiratory protection program for workers required to wear respirators; have fire extinguishers mounted and readily accessible for use; and provide an educational program on the general principles of fire extinguisher use and hazards involved for workers expected to fight incipient stage fires. The company was also cited for failing to provide machine guarding for a miter saw; provide spreaders and nonkickback devices on two hand-fed circular ripsaws; properly adjust a work rest on grinding machinery; determine each employee’s exposure to methylene chloride; provide appropriate gloves and eyewash facilities for workers using methylene chloride-containing adhesives; and develop and implement a written hazard communication program that includes training for workers exposed to hazardous chemicals.

“Each of these hazards threaten the company’s ability to provide employees with a safe and healthful work environment, and should be corrected immediately,” said Kris Hoffman, director of OSHA’s Parsippany Office. “OSHA will continue to hold employers responsible when they fail to protect their workers.”

Inspectors also cited the company for one other-than-serious violation, which carries a $400 penalty, for not recording a workplace injury on the employer’s OSHA Form 300 Log of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses.

Quality Industries Cited for Repeat and Serious Safety and Health Violations

OSHA has cited Quality Industries, LLC, for three repeat and five serious safety and health violations following a February 2013 inspection at its manufacturing facility in Hartwell. OSHA initiated the inspection as part of the agency’s national emphasis program on amputations. Proposed penalties total $44,100.

Three repeat violations, with $30,100 in penalties, involve the employer exposing workers: to fall hazards from an unguarded platform, caught-in hazards at the point of operation on the bender press and to fire/explosive hazards due to fiberglass dust not being cleaned from work areas. Quality Industries was previously cited for these violations in October 2012.

Five serious violations, with $14,000 in penalties, involve the employer failing to post signage to inform workers of the existence and location of confined spaces; provide specific steps to remove lockout/tagout devices; maintain personal protective equipment in a sanitary and reliable condition; ensure that workers required to wear corrective lenses covered them with protective safety glasses; and not developing or implementing a written respiratory protection program for workers required to wear respirators while performing grinding, sanding and cutting operations on materials containing fiberglass.

“This employer has had ample opportunity to remove these hazards from its workplace, especially since the same problems were previously cited, yet it chose to continue exposing its employees to them,” said Bill Fulcher, director of OSHA’s Atlanta-East Area Office. “Allowing previously cited violations to reoccur indicate important management failures and weaknesses in the company’s safety and health program, which ought to identify and remove hazards immediately.”

Quality Industries specializes in manufacturing boat seats, coverings for electrical equipment and molds for city transportation services.

Farmers Cooperative Co. Fined Over $22,000 after Worker Dies

OSHA has proposed fines totaling $22,800 against Farmers Cooperative Co., for nine serious safety violations after a worker was fatally injured January 29. The inspection was expanded to include hazards associated with grain handling activities.

“Farmers Cooperative failed to take the proper safety precautions to protect workers from hazards associated with the loading of grain for transport,” said Bonita Winingham, OSHA’s area director in Omaha. “No job should cost a person’s life because of an employer’s failure to take proper precautions to protect their safety.”

Nine serious safety violations include a general duty citation for failing to protect employees exposed to vehicular traffic. Additional violations include failure to guard belts and pulleys and violations of OSHA’s permit-required confined space regulations, including failing to provide equipment and training to workers about the equipment required to enter confined spaces, failure to post warning signs, have an attendant present during entry, issue permits prior to entering confined spaces, and failure to develop procedures for rescue from confined spaces.

Confined space hazards are addressed in specific standards.

In 2010, following the deaths of at least 26 US workers in grain bin entrapments, the highest number on record, OSHA focused its enforcement efforts on the grain and feed industry’s six major danger areas. These include engulfment, falls, auger entanglement, struck-by, combustible dust, and electrocution hazards. OSHA area offices in 25 states, including Nebraska, have developed a Local Emphasis Program dealing with grain.

OSHA to Hold Advisory Committee Meeting on Construction Safety and Health

ACCSH, established under the Contract Work Hours and Safety Standards Act and the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, advises the secretary of labor and assistant secretary of labor for occupational safety and health on construction standards and policy matters.

The full committee agenda includes remarks from Dr. David Michaels, assistant secretary of labor for occupational safety and health, updates on rulemaking projects from OSHA’s Directorate of Construction and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. In addition, the committee will consider and make recommendations on items from the proposed Standards Improvement Project IV and discuss OSHA’s temporary worker initiatives and outreach training program.

The meeting will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. ET, August 22 and 23 in Room C-5515, 1A-B, US Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Ave., N.W., Washington, DC 20210. Some committee members will participate by teleconference. The meeting is open to the public.

Comments may also be submitted via mail or facsimile. See the Federal Register notice for details. Comments and requests to speak must be submitted by August 15, 2013.

OSHA Forms Alliance with Louisiana Associated General Contractors to Protect Construction Workers

Protecting Louisiana workers from construction industry hazards is the goal of an alliance signed recently between OSHA and the Louisiana Associated General Contractors.

“This alliance provides an opportunity for OSHA and members of the Louisiana Associated General Contractors to come together through forums, round-table discussions, meetings and conferences to discuss safety and health issues associated with the needs of member employers,” said Dorinda Folse, OSHA’s area director in Baton Rouge. “This voluntary, cooperative relationship will also provide training and outreach to enhance employee safety.”

The LAGC is a statewide, full-service construction trade association representing about 800 general contractors, subcontractors, suppliers and service firms throughout Louisiana. Formed in 1949, LAGC is one of 101 chapters of the 33,000-member Associated General Contractors of America, headquartered in Washington, D.C.

 The purpose of each alliance is to develop compliance assistance tools and resources and educate workers and employers about their rights and responsibilities.

Nucor Building Systems Earns Highest Safety Award

Nucor Building Systems in Waterloo, Indiana, has set a standard few other companies in its industry can claim. 

VPP STAR certification is the highest award for workplace safety and health.

“Nucor’s commitment to employee safety is a model for every business to follow,” said Indiana Department of Labor Commissioner Sean M. Keefer. “The Indiana Department of Labor congratulates Nucor for improving from a VPP Merit site, an already admirable accomplishment, to a VPP STAR site—the pinnacle of safety and health achievement.”

Nucor Building Systems’ Waterloo facility has demonstrated an exemplary commitment to worker safety through its safety-oriented policy decisions, management involvement across all levels and regular occupational hazard monitoring.

To participate in VPP, a company must develop and implement an exemplary worker safety and health program, maintain occupational injury and illness rates that are below the national industry average and undergo a rigorous facility evaluation.

Nucor Building Systems, a division of Nucor Corporation, has been a leader in the design and manufacture of custom-engineered metal building systems for more than 25 years. Beginning in Waterloo in 1987, the company now has a sales office and four full-service plants strategically located throughout the country. Nucor Building Systems employs 318 full-time Hoosier workers at its Waterloo location and more than 1,000 teammates across its four plants.

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