What does the OSHA Process Safety Management Standard Cover?

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This standard contains requirements for the safe management of hazards associated with processes using, storing, manufacturing, handling, or moving highly hazardous chemicals onsite. It emphasizes the management of hazards through an established comprehensive program that integrates technologies, procedures, and management practices.
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OSHAÆs standard applies mainly to manufacturing industriesûparticularly those pertaining to chemicals, transportation equipment, and fabricated metal products. Other affected sectors include those involved with natural gas liquids; farm product warehousing; food processing, electric, gas, and sanitary services; and wholesale trade. The standard also applies to pyrotechnics and explosives manufacturers. It has special provisions for contractors working in covered facilities.
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New Safety Tools for Tree Care Industry

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OSHA announced the availability of a web-based assistance tool for workers and employers in the tree care industry. Users can access information to develop and implement comprehensive safety and health programs, and learn how to recognize and address potential industry hazards, including overhead power lines, falling branches, and faulty safety equipment, to name just a few of the dangers. The page also provides information and links to OSHA standards, compliance directives, interpretations of OSHA standards, and national consensus standards related to the tree care industry.

 

New Internet-Based Program for Emergency Vehicle Safe Operations

á  This innovative, web-based educational program includes an emergency vehicle safety best practices self-assessment, standard operating guideline examples, and behavioral motivation techniques to enhance emergency vehicle safety. As crashes from privately-owned vehicles are a leading cause of volunteer firefighter on-duty fatalities responding and returning to emergencies, this program also discusses critical safety issues of volunteer firefighter safety in them.
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"Vehicle crashes represent the second leading cause of on-duty firefighter deaths in the volunteer fire service," said Charlie Dickinson, USFA Deputy Administrator. "This emergency vehicle safety educational program will also support the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation Firefighter Life Safety Initiative to reduce on-duty firefighter fatalities, and further ensure that Everyone Goes Home."
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"Educational outreach is critical in reducing the number of volunteer firefighters we lose year after year."
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New Construction Compliance Assistance Module

The Construction Module provides a step-by-step guide to help employers and workers in the construction industry comply with OSHA's construction standards. The tool allows you to generate a set of compliance assistance materials tailored to your jobsite."This new Compliance Assistance Quick Start module is another example of how OSHA is making valuable information immediately and easily accessible to employers, employees and businesses so they can build and sustain safe and healthy work environments," said Acting Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA Jonathan L. Snare. "It's important we make every effort to help put this kind of material in the hands of those who need it."The Construction Module introduces users to the OSHA standards addressing the leading hazards at construction sites, such as falls and electrical hazards, and provides links to the relevant OSHA compliance assistance resources, including OSHA quick cards, fact sheets, booklets, posters and Web pages. The Module also includes information on training, recordkeeping and developing a worksite safety and health program. In addition, it features a collection of OSHA's Spanish-language materials for the construction industry. In addition to the new Construction Module, Compliance Assistance Quick Start has modules for general industry workplaces and Hispanic outreach.
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OSHA and SCHC Renew Alliance on Improving Hazard Communication and MSDSs

Acting Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health Jonathan L. Snare signed a two-year renewal of the Society for Chemical Hazard Communication (SCHC) Alliance that will continue to focus on providing information and education on hazard communication and chemical safety. Originally signed on Oct. 22, 2003, one of the Alliance's aims is to distribute information and increase awareness about the Globally Harmonized System (GHS) of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals. GHS is a single, globally harmonized system to address the classification of chemicals, labels and material safety data sheets (MSDSs)."This Alliance has served as an excellent mechanism for helping enhance the safety and health of workers in the chemical industry," Snare said. "We are excited about continuing our relationship with SCHC to empower employees in reducing and preventing exposure to chemical hazards, and addressing hazard communication and MSDSs in the workplace."Added Michele Sullivan, chair of SCHC's Board of Directors: "In the past 2 years, SCHC's Alliance with OSHA has provided outreach and partnership opportunities to promote effective hazard communication and awareness of the GHS. SCHC is proud to extend our Alliance with OSHA and hopes by working together we will continue to make progress in improving the effectiveness of hazard communication tools and practices in the United States.. SCHC also developed an MSDS checklist.In addition, OSHA and SCHC will continue to work together to increase employees' access to safety and health information and outreach programs. Both organizations will also continue to develop and disseminate injury and hazard information at conferences and events, and through print and electronic media.SCHC is a nonprofit organization that promotes the improvement of the business of hazard communication for chemicals, and provides guidance or technical expertise to private, government and nonprofit groups.
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G.E. Hooksett Plant Again Earns OSHA "Star"

General Electric (G.E.) Aircraft Engines, Hooksett Plant in Hooksett, N.H., has been recertified for an additional five-year membership in OSHAÆs "Star" Voluntary Protection Program (VPP).
"This award spotlights G.E.'s outstanding and ongoing safety and health management at this site," said Marthe Kent, OSHA's New England regional administrator.The aircraft engine manufacturing facility, which employs 830 workers, continues as part of an elite corps of about 1,370 workplaces nationwide that have earned VPP recognition. The "Star" recertification came after an OSHA team's thorough on-site review of the plant's safety and health programs, interviews with employees and a complete tour of the worksite. Hooksett was first certified as a "Star" site in July 1997 and recertified in September 2000."Our latest review of the plant's safety and health management programs found that they remain consistent with the high quality of VPP programs and the plant's illness and injury rates are below the industry average," Kent said. "A particular area of excellence is the 100 percent employee participation in the Safety Awareness for Everyone (SFE) observation program."OSHA's Voluntary Protection Programs offer employers an opportunity to move beyond traditional safety programs by recognizing participants that successfully incorporate comprehensive safety and health programs into their total management systems. VPP companies achieve average injury rates 50 percent lower than other companies in their industry. The VPP programs are open to deserving employers in any industry.Requirements for application to VPP include a high degree of management support and employee involvement; a high-quality worksite hazard analysis; prevention and control programs; and comprehensive safety and health training for all employees. Each of these elements must be effective, in place and in operation for at least one year before a company can apply to join the program.
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Entergy Transmission and Substations in Gretna Achieves OSHA Recognition

Entergy Transmission and Substations, Louisiana Grid, Virgil Street Office has earned membership in the OSHAÆs "Star" Voluntary Protection Program (VPP). A recognition ceremony was held at the company's local facility on Virgil Street in Gretna."Entergy Transmission and Substations in Gretna has demonstrated excellence in effective safety and health management," said OSHA Regional Administrator John Miles in Dallas. "Their outstanding efforts include maintaining an illness and injury rate 71 percent below the national average for their industry."The Gretna facility employs about 25 workers who repair and maintain approximately 49 electrical substations to ensure the local transmission and distribution system delivers safe reliable power throughout the facility's network. The Gretna location is part of Entergy Transmission, headquartered in New Orleans.The Voluntary Protection Programs recognize and promote effective workplace safety and health management. Companies in the VPP achieve average injury rates 50 percent lower than other companies in their industry. From coast to coast, approximately 1,370 work sites representing more than 280 industries have qualified to participate in the programs.
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OSHA Cites Hillandale Farms for Safety Violations

OSHA has issued citations, with proposed penalties totaling $62,000, to Hillandale Farms for exposing employees to injuries from unguarded machinery and other safety hazards at the company's Lake City, Fla., egg processing plant."Unguarded machinery is a leading cause of worker injuries and deaths, because workers can be caught by moving parts," said James Borders, OSHA's Jacksonville area director. "These so-called 'caught-by' accidents are preventable by following safety standards."Although egg packing equipment at the plant had labels attached warning workers not to remove safety guards, OSHA found that the company removed the guards and ran the equipment without them to facilitate cleaning operations by the night shift crew. During one of the cleaning cycles, a crew member's fingers were reportedly caught in the equipment.The company received one willful citation, with a proposed penalty of $50,000, for exposing workers to caught-by injuries from unguarded drive chains.OSHA also issued four serious citations with total proposed penalties of $9,000. The serious violations included failing to: have a "lockout-tagout" program that rendered machinery inoperable during cleaning and maintenance; train employees on proper procedures for clean-up operations; identify and label positions for the equipment's on and off controls.The remaining $3,000 penalty was assessed because the company failed to conduct hazard assessments; develop and maintain a respirator program; properly maintain injury-illness logs, and provide first aid equipment for the night crew. OSHA also sent the employer a letter recommending emergency stop buttons be added to individual packer conveyors.

 

OSHA Cites Concrete Plants for Unsafe Working Conditions

For exposing workers to excessive noise and inadequate respiratory protection, OSHA cited Arrow Concrete Co. for alleged willful and serious violations at seven locations in West Virginia. Penalties totaling $476,000 have been proposed.According to Stanley H. Elliott, area director of the Charleston OSHA office, the company willfully failed to provide audiometric testing to employees exposed to excessive noise; provide medical evaluation, fit testing and training to employees required to use respirators; and ensure that employees using respirators are clean shaven."Injury and illness rates are declining and to keep this downward trend going, employers must make sure that they provide a safe and healthy workplace," said Elliott.The serious citations cover a wide variety of violations including failure to keep floor openings covered, unsuitable eyewash facilities for employees using corrosive and acidic products, and lack of lockout/tagout training to ensure that machinery is inoperable during maintenance and repair.The inspections, conducted by the Charleston OSHA area office, were the result of a "local emphasis program" undertaken by that office to protect workers from the hazards of silica in concrete manufacturing and ready mix operations.

 

OSHA Fines Unicco $152,500 Following Fatal Window Cleaning Accident

OSHA cited Unicco Service Company for alleged willful and repeat violations of safety standards following a June 8 accident at the New England Executive Park in Burlington, Mass., that killed one worker and severely injured another. The facilities management and personnel firm faces a total of $152,500 in proposed fines.The accident occurred during window cleaning of a four-story building. One employee was on the roof, tending a rolling outrigger suspension support unit from which a second employee was lowered to clean the windows, when the unit rolled off the roof. Both employees fell about 50 feet to the ground below and the window cleaner was also struck by the falling unit. The tender was killed; the window cleaner sustained severe injuries.OSHA's investigation found that the outrigger unit was not tied back to a rooftop anchorage point, was not equipped with sufficient counterweight and had improperly installed wheels. The employee tending the unit had no experience and little or no training in setting, rigging and using the unit. In addition, both employees' lifelines were tied off to the fallen unit rather than to independent anchorage points on the roof. Tying off to an independent anchorage would have halted their fall. Finally, components of safety harnesses and a lanyard used by the workers were defective."This company is well aware of the requirements to protect window cleaners contained in industry standards, manufacturer instructions and its own safety program, yet chose to ignore them," said Francis Pagliuca, OSHA's area director for Middlesex and Essex counties. "They were cited for similar hazards following a double fatality in 2003."On May 15, 2003, two Unicco window cleaners were killed in a fall at a worksite at 2 Center Plaza in Boston. As a result of that accident, OSHA fined the company $23,500. For the June 2005 accident, OSHA issued two willful citations, with $140,000 in fines, for the improperly rigged and anchored outrigger suspension support unit and lifelines. A repeat citation, with a $12,500 fine, was issued for the defects in the safety harnesses and lanyard.

 

New OSHA Alliance Aims for Safety and Health in Connecticut's Construction Industry

Enhancing safe and healthful working conditions for workers in Connecticut's construction industry is the goal of a newly signed alliance between the Hartford and Bridgeport area offices of OSHA and Associated Builders and Contractors of Connecticut (CT ABC).OSHA health and safety alliances are part of the Department of LaborÆs efforts to improve the health and safety of workers through cooperative partnerships with employers, trade associations and labor. CT ABC, a chapter of the national Associated Builders and Contractors, is a trade association comprised of 200 construction contractors and builders throughout Connecticut.Under the alliance, OSHA and CT ABC will work together to develop and deliver training and education programs for Connecticut ABC members. The training will focus on reducing employees' exposure to construction hazards, including falls, electrical, trenching/excavation and bloodborne pathogen hazards as well as other topics identified through participant surveys.The parties will also share information regarding CT ABC best practices and publicize that information through outreach activities. Participation by state ABC members in OSHA's cooperative programs, including compliance assistance, the Voluntary Protection Program (VPP), the state consultation service and the Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP) will also be encouraged."This alliance will equip CT ABC members and their employees with an extra resource for their toolboxes, knowledge that will help them identify and prevent workplace hazards," said Robert W. Kowalski, OSHA's Bridgeport area director."Addressing hazards before they hurt workers will reduce injuries and illnesses and add value to the workplace," said Thomas Guilmartin, OSHA's Hartford area director. Signing the alliance were Guilmartin, Kowalski and CT ABC President Lelah M. Campo.

 

Acushnet Company's Titleist Ball Plant III Earns OSHA "Star"

Acushnet Company's Titleist Ball Plant III in New Bedford has earned membership in the prestigious "Star" Voluntary Protection Program (VPP)."This award spotlights Acushnet Company's continued outstanding job of safety and health management at its worksites," said Marthe Kent, OSHA's New England regional administrator. "Our review of this plant's safety and health management programs found them to be consistent with the high quality of VPP programs. In addition, the plant's illness and injury rates remain below the industry average."The plant, which manufactures ProV1 and ProV1x model Titleist golf balls, employs 726 workers. It joins an elite corps of about 1,370 workplaces nationwide, including four other Acushnet Company worksites, which have earned VPP recognition. The "Star" designation came after an OSHA team's thorough on-site review of the plant's application, safety and health programs, interviews with employees and a complete tour of the worksite.The Titleist III plant has several areas of excellence that may serve as models for other employers. These include programs to encourage employee involvement in the company's safety and health program and reward employees for displaying Safety First behaviors, actively participating in safety inspections and attending safety training. The company has also developed several state of the art engineering controls to reduce dust and noise exposure during the manufacturing process.This plant becomes the company's latest to earn "Star" status. In October 2003, Titleist Ball Plant II in North Dartmouth became the 1000th "Star" worksite in the nation. In May of 1996, Titleist Ball Plant I was named as the first VPP Star Site recipient in the sporting goods industry. Titleist Custom Golf Ball Operations located in New Bedford, and Acushnet Company Packaging Center in Fairhaven, also earned VPP Star Site status in 1998 and 2003, respectively.

 

TLR4 Gene Found to Protect Against Tumor Development

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A new study finds that a gene which plays an important role in immune function, known as toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), may also play a critical role in suppressing chronic lung inflammation and tumor development in mice.
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"We know that chronic inflammation predisposes people to many types of cancer," says NIH Director Elias Zerhouni, M.D. "By using this new information we may be able to suppress chronic inflammation and reduce our Nation's cancer burden."
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In the December 7, 2005 issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, researchers at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), a part of the National Institutes of Health, report that mice prone to lung cancer that had TLR4 removed or altered had 60 percent more tumors than mice that had intact receptors, illustrating a new protective role for this gene. There were no differences in overall tumor size or structure between the mice. TLR4 is part of what immunologists refer to as the "innate immune system" which acts as the body's first line of defense against harmful substances.
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Researchers explain the immune system actually is comprised of two components or systems, the innate and the acquired. The innate system can be thought of as the way the body is naturally programmed to respond, forming the front line of defense against infection. The acquired depends on the development of antibodies and other systems to recognize pathogens and other foreign objects that might upset the body's ability to fight off diseases. Understanding more about how the innate system works will help inform how the more complex, acquired system works.
"We have recently learned a lot about TLR4, its different mutations, and the role they play in immunity," said David A. Schwartz, MD, the NIEHS Director, "but discovering this novel function of TLR4 in tumor biology may provide new therapeutic targets for many chronic diseases, including cancer."
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"We can't attribute the number of tumors per mouse to TLR4 alone, but it accounts for a significant portion of it," said Steven Kleeberger, Ph.D., Chief, Laboratory of Respiratory Biology at NIEHS, where the research was conducted. The researchers administered a preservative known to cause lung inflammation to the mice to determine the role of TLR4 in inflammation. Primary tumor formation also was measured in mice known to have cancer. Mice with both functional and altered TLR4 were used in all protocols.
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"TLR4 acts like a brake of a car," Kleeberger said. "If you take the brake or receptor away, you see more increases in tumor development, more inflammation and more mortality.
Previous research indicated an association between chronic lung inflammation and lung cancer, but the mechanisms are not well understood. Chronic bronchitis and asthma, for example, are known to heighten the risk of lung cancer. Inflammation has been implicated as a contributing factor in several human cancers, including lung cancer. Therefore, researchers wanted to see if one of the well known receptors in the immune system, the TLR4, played a role in the development of cancer in an animal model.
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"What we found is the innate immune system, particularly TLR4, plays a critical role in protecting against the development of tumors and chronic inflammation," said Alison Bauer, Ph.D., of NIEHS and lead author on the paper. "It suggests that targeting the innate immune system may be a useful tool in fighting a variety of human diseases, including cancer."
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"This mouse model provides us with the rationale to ask whether the innate immune system might be involved in lung cancer in humans," said Dr. Schwartz. "We are clearly finding that a better understanding of innate immunity will provide us with new ways to fight off many diseases."
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Comment on Hearing Loss Panel Membership is Encouraged by NIOSH

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The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) is asking for comment on the provisional membership of a National Academies scientific panel that will review NIOSHÆs program of research for the prevention of hearing loss. The National Academies posted the list on Dec. 5, and will accept comments until Dec. 25.
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The National Academies will consider public comments, along with other information, before the committee membership is made final, the National Academies notice said. 
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The provisional list includes Bernard D. Goldstein, Ph.D., (Chair), Dean of the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health; Beth A. Cooper, M.S., an acoustical engineer and manager of the Acoustical Testing Laboratory at the NASA Glenn Research Center; Susan E. Cozzens, Ph.D., a professor of public policy at the Georgia Institute of Technology and director of its Technology Policy and Assessment Center; Karen J. Cruickshanks, Ph.D., a professor in the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences as well as in the Department of Population Health Sciences at the University of Wisconsin, School of Medicine and Public Health; Judy R. Dubno, Ph.D., a professor in the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery of the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC); Dennis A. Giardino, M.S., an acoustic consultant specializing in the evaluation of the noise environments of industrial and mining facilities; Rena Glaser, M.A., a former manager of medical surveillance for 3M Corporation; William W. Lang, Ph.D., president of the Noise Control Foundation; Laura C. Leviton, Ph.D., a senior program officer of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation; Richard J. Salvi, Ph.D., a professor in the Department of Communicative Disorders and Sciences at the State University of New York at Buffalo and director of the university's Center for Hearing and Deafness; and Michael A. Silverstein, M.D., a clinical professor in the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences at the University of Washington School of Public Health and Community Medicine.
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Through the process of inviting public comment, "we determine whether the committee contains the requisite expertise to address its task and whether the points of views of individual members are adequately balanced such that the committee as a whole can address its charge objectively," the National Academies notice said.
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The project is expected to last until July 31, 2006.á The first meeting of the provisional committee will be held on Jan. 5 and 6, 2006, at the Keck Center of the National Academies, 500 Fifth St. N.W., Washington, D.C. Further information on meeting times and agenda will follow.
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The hearing loss prevention review is one of several interactions through which NIOSH has sought the National AcademiesÆ expert external scientific review of NIOSHÆs programs. 
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Holiday Safety Tips from a State Fire Marshall

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Christmas trees account for 400 fires annually, resulting in 10 deaths, 80 injuries and more than $15 million in property damage. Typically shorts in electrical lights or open flames from candles, lighters or matches start tree fires. Well-watered trees are not a problem. Dry and neglected trees can be.á
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S.C. State Fire Marshal Michael Platt offers the following seasonal safety reminders for natural cut Christmas trees, holiday decorations, and proper usage of candles.
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Natural Cut Trees
For many families, the holiday wouldn't be complete without a natural cut tree gracing the family room and filling the home with a natural and fresh Christmas scent.
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When you bring your Christmas tree home, it's important to keep the tree watered at all times. A fresh, well-watered tree will not burn as easily. Under favorable conditions, Christmas trees should last inside safely several weeks. When a tree ceases to "drink" water, or needles break, brown or fall off, it should be removed from the house.
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The 2003 International Fire Code standard, adopted by the state, prohibits the display of natural cut trees and vegetation in structures not protected by an approved automatic sprinkler system. This includes churches, nightclubs, auditoriums, schools, classrooms, covered malls, department stores, hotels, motels and dormitories.
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"In institutional occupancies such as hospitals, nursing homes and prisons, there is no exception that allows the use of natural cut trees and vegetation such as cut branches and leaves," Platt said.
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Holiday Decorations: Be Safe and Beautiful
"Beautiful decorations are traditional in the lives of South Carolinians," Platt said. "But it is more important to know that holiday decorations lead to added fire risks if safety precautions are not followed."
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The State Fire Marshal's Office offers these safety tips:

• áááááááá Don't block exit doors with a Christmas tree or decorations.
• áááááááá Secure natural cut trees in a sturdy tree-stand. Check and maintain the water level daily.
• áááááááá Discard damaged sets of lights, which may have loose connections, broken or cracked sockets, and frayed or exposed wires.
• áááááááá Use "cool lamp" holiday lights for inside use that have been approved by a nationally recognized testing laboratory such as UL or FM.
• áááááááá Disconnect decorative lights when you leave your home or retire for the evening.
• áááááááá Dispose of the tree when the needles begin to break, turn brown or fall from the tree. This is a sign the tree is dangerously dry and creating a hazard.

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Safe Candle Use

Candles have become an increasingly popular decoration. Platt indicates candle usage in the home is on the increase, ultimately increasing the number of home fires. Two out of five candle-caused home fires start in the bedroom.
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"Candles, as pretty as they may be, are a growing cause of home fires and home fire deaths," Platt said.
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To encourage fire safety, Platt offers the following tips:

• áááááááá Place candles on stable furniture in sturdy holders that won't tip over.

• áááááááá Keep candles away from clothing, books, paper, curtains, Christmas trees and holiday decorations.
• áááááááá Extinguish candles when leaving a room or going to sleep.
• áááááááá Discard taper and pillar candles once they are within two inches of the holder.
• áááááááá Discard votive and filled candles before the last half-inch of wax starts to melt.
• áááááááá Never put candles in windows or near doorways where drafts could bring flammable materials in contact with the open flame.
• áááááááá Avoid using candles for light sources during power outages.

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Although highly discouraged, if you must use candles in the bedroom:

• áááááááá Keep candles at least one foot from bedding, curtains, blinds, wallpaper, upholstered furniture and other combustible materials.
• áááááááá Place candles away from table edges.
• áááááááá Don't allow children or teens to burn candles.
• áááááááá Supervise children around burning candles. Remember, candles are not toys.

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Special Holiday Gift

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This season, the State Fire Marshal recommends a unique holiday gift. "It is difficult to pick the perfect present, especially for those who have everything," Platt said. "A new smoke alarm could be the gift of life for those who may encounter a fire in the coming year."
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