On February 4, 2009, Democratic House members introduced a bill that would require OSHA to issue rules on controlling combustible dust hazards.
The Worker Protection Against Combustible Dust Explosions and Fires Act of 2009 (H.R. 849) would require OSHA to issue an interim dust rule within 90 days and a final rule within 18 months and revise its hazard communication standard to warn workers of the dangers associated with combustible dust.
The bill was introduced four days before the one-year anniversary of a fatal combustible dust explosion at the Imperial Sugar refinery in Port Wentworth, Ga. The explosion killed 14 workers and injured 6. Imperial Sugar CEO John Sheptor has supported the legislation since its introduction last Congress and urged for its swift passage.
In a 2006 report, the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board identified more than 280 combustible dust incidents between 1980 and 2005 that killed 119 workers.
The House Education and Labor Committee has not yet scheduled any hearings on the bill. The bill's sponsors hope the introduction of the bill will persuade OSHA to issue a standard without congressional intervention.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Monday, February 2, 2009
Dale Walsh Presents to Board of Clark County Commissioners
On January 28, 2009, Dale Walsh, ASSE Chapter President, made a presentation to the Board of Clark County Commissioners during the 2nd Southern Nevada Construction Worker Safety Roundtable on ways the county can possibly impact safety on the Strip both by their own means (e.g., permit process and inspectors) and what they might suggest to the legislature regarding things the State can do to improve safety in the construction industry. To view an overview of the presentation click here (pdf).
Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs: Do Energy-savings Outweigh Mercury Hazard?
With the issue of climate change on everyone's mind these days, people are looking for ways to cut down on energy use. Many people are turning to compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs), which use 75 percent less energy and last up to 10 times longer than incandescent bulbs.
But there is also a concern because CFLs contain a small amount of mercury. One Pennsylvania resident recently emailed the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's mid-Atlantic region to ask what she should do:
"The problem with CFLs," she wrote, "is that these bulbs contain mercury and they need to be disposed of properly but the box does not give any instructions. Should we be more concerned with energy saving or mercury hazards?"
EPA's electronics recycling specialist Dan Gallo, who responded to the question, says the benefits of lower energy consumption outweigh the disadvantages but "EPA promotes and encourages the safe disposal of old CFLs to prevent the release of mercury into the environment."
"Although CFCs do contain mercury, it is present in trace amounts-five milligrams- an amount that would cover the tip of a ballpoint pen," said Gallo. "It would take 100 CFLs to equal the amount of mercury contained in older thermometers, which is about 500 milligrams."
The good news is that old CFC bulbs can be taken to Home Depot, IKEA and Ace Hardware for recycling. And Wal-mart is piloting a CFL recycling program at its stores in the Richmond, Va. area.
Since CFLs use 75 percent less energy than traditional incandescent light bulbs, if every American switched one incandescent bulb to a CFL, it would save more than $600 million in annual energy costs and prevent greenhouse gases equivalent to the emissions from 800,000 cars.
"Using CFLs is a quick and easy way for Americans to save energy and money everyday, while they also protect the environment," Gallo said.
But if a bulb accidentally breaks, proper clean-up is necessary.
"The first thing you want to do is to get everyone out of room, including pets," Gallo said. "Open a window to air out the room for at least 15 minutes. If you broke the bulb on a hard surface, take a piece of stiff paper or cardboard and scoop up as much of the debris and residue as you can."
Gallo advises to use an old glove or sock to protect hands and then wipe up any remaining residue with a moist paper towel. "If you broke the bulb on a carpeted surface, you'll want to use sticky tape to blot up any residue. Put everything in a plastic bag or a jar that can be sealed with a lid and dispose of it with the regular household trash."
For more information on CFLs go to:
http://www.epa.gov/osw/hazard/wastetypes/universal/lamps/index.htm
http://www.epa.gov/osw/hazard/wastetypes/universal/lamps/faqs.htm
Article from U.S. EPA News Feeds
But there is also a concern because CFLs contain a small amount of mercury. One Pennsylvania resident recently emailed the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's mid-Atlantic region to ask what she should do:
"The problem with CFLs," she wrote, "is that these bulbs contain mercury and they need to be disposed of properly but the box does not give any instructions. Should we be more concerned with energy saving or mercury hazards?"
EPA's electronics recycling specialist Dan Gallo, who responded to the question, says the benefits of lower energy consumption outweigh the disadvantages but "EPA promotes and encourages the safe disposal of old CFLs to prevent the release of mercury into the environment."
"Although CFCs do contain mercury, it is present in trace amounts-five milligrams- an amount that would cover the tip of a ballpoint pen," said Gallo. "It would take 100 CFLs to equal the amount of mercury contained in older thermometers, which is about 500 milligrams."
The good news is that old CFC bulbs can be taken to Home Depot, IKEA and Ace Hardware for recycling. And Wal-mart is piloting a CFL recycling program at its stores in the Richmond, Va. area.
Since CFLs use 75 percent less energy than traditional incandescent light bulbs, if every American switched one incandescent bulb to a CFL, it would save more than $600 million in annual energy costs and prevent greenhouse gases equivalent to the emissions from 800,000 cars.
"Using CFLs is a quick and easy way for Americans to save energy and money everyday, while they also protect the environment," Gallo said.
But if a bulb accidentally breaks, proper clean-up is necessary.
"The first thing you want to do is to get everyone out of room, including pets," Gallo said. "Open a window to air out the room for at least 15 minutes. If you broke the bulb on a hard surface, take a piece of stiff paper or cardboard and scoop up as much of the debris and residue as you can."
Gallo advises to use an old glove or sock to protect hands and then wipe up any remaining residue with a moist paper towel. "If you broke the bulb on a carpeted surface, you'll want to use sticky tape to blot up any residue. Put everything in a plastic bag or a jar that can be sealed with a lid and dispose of it with the regular household trash."
For more information on CFLs go to:
http://www.epa.gov/osw/hazard/wastetypes/universal/lamps/index.htm
http://www.epa.gov/osw/hazard/wastetypes/universal/lamps/faqs.htm
Article from U.S. EPA News Feeds
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Top 10 OSHA Violation Categories in 2008
The top 10 most frequently cited OSHA standards in fiscal year 2008 (October 2007 through September 2008) included:
- Scaffolding, general requirements, construction (29 CFR 1926.451)
- Fall protection, construction (29 CFR 1926.501)
- Hazard communication standard, general industry (29 CFR 1910.1200)
- Control of hazardous energy (lockout/tagout), general industry (29 CFR 1910.147)
- Respiratory protection, general industry (29 CFR 1910.134)
- Electrical, wiring methods, components and equipment, general industry (29 CFR 1910.305)
- Powered industrial trucks, general industry (29 CFR 1910.178)
- Ladders, construction (29 CFR 1926.1053)
- Machines, general requirements, general industry (29 CFR 1910.212)
- Electrical systems design, general requirements, general industry (29 CFR 1910.303)
For more information, visit the OSHA website.
Monday, December 1, 2008
New Contact Information and Location for OSHA Training Institute Education Center
Effective November 25th the new contact information and location for the CSN OSHA Training Institute Education Center is as follows:
Abigail Rakvica - Workforce Specialist Occupational Health and Safety Programs & OSHA Training Institute Education Center
Phone: 702-651-7570
Fax: 702-651-5503
6375 W CharlestonBuilding B Room 119- W1B
Las Vegas, NV 89146
abigail.rakvica@csn.edu
http://www.csn.edu/pages/853.asp
The classroom location remains the same.
Abigail Rakvica - Workforce Specialist Occupational Health and Safety Programs & OSHA Training Institute Education Center
Phone: 702-651-7570
Fax: 702-651-5503
6375 W CharlestonBuilding B Room 119- W1B
Las Vegas, NV 89146
abigail.rakvica@csn.edu
http://www.csn.edu/pages/853.asp
The classroom location remains the same.
EPCRA reporting: 30-day limit on change notifications
Effective Dec. 3, 2008, and thereafter, facility owners and operators have just 30 days to notify their local emergency planning committee (LEPC) after changes occur at a facility that may be relevant to emergency planning.
Prior to the revisions finalized in this rulemaking, the old 40 CFR 355.30(d) stated that facility owners or operators were required to inform the LEPC of any changes occurring at the facility which may be relevant to emergency planning. No real time period was specified.
In re-designating all the sections in Part 355, EPA had proposed that this requirement be moved to §355.20 and include the term ''promptly'' in order to be consistent with EPCRA section 303(d)(2). Many commenters supported this revision, but suggested that the agency provide a specific time period, such as 10, 20 or 30 days, rather than using a vague term.
EPA agreed with the commenters, but also notes that the changes that may occur at a facility could be important for developing and maintaining emergency plans. Therefore, EPA is requiring that information about changes at a facility relevant to emergency planning must be submitted within 30 days of such changes.
Changes relevant to emergency planning may include, but not be limited to:
· Notifying that the facility is no longer in operation,
· New extremely hazardous substances (EHSs) are present at the facility,
· EHSs are moved to a different location at the facility,
· EHSs are no longer present at the facility, and
· Other changes relevant to emergency planning.
Check out the new 40 CFR 355.20 at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-25329.pdf.
Prior to the revisions finalized in this rulemaking, the old 40 CFR 355.30(d) stated that facility owners or operators were required to inform the LEPC of any changes occurring at the facility which may be relevant to emergency planning. No real time period was specified.
In re-designating all the sections in Part 355, EPA had proposed that this requirement be moved to §355.20 and include the term ''promptly'' in order to be consistent with EPCRA section 303(d)(2). Many commenters supported this revision, but suggested that the agency provide a specific time period, such as 10, 20 or 30 days, rather than using a vague term.
EPA agreed with the commenters, but also notes that the changes that may occur at a facility could be important for developing and maintaining emergency plans. Therefore, EPA is requiring that information about changes at a facility relevant to emergency planning must be submitted within 30 days of such changes.
Changes relevant to emergency planning may include, but not be limited to:
· Notifying that the facility is no longer in operation,
· New extremely hazardous substances (EHSs) are present at the facility,
· EHSs are moved to a different location at the facility,
· EHSs are no longer present at the facility, and
· Other changes relevant to emergency planning.
Check out the new 40 CFR 355.20 at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-25329.pdf.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
ASSE Newsletters Going Electronic
Fall is in the air and that can mean only thing: Yes -- it is time to start thinking about electronic delivery of your practice specialty technical publications this winter. You might also want to think about including a practice specialty membership for your co-workers as a gift this holiday season. Okay – okay – perhaps that is overdoing it, but we at least have to try!
Anyway, you have hopefully seen by now the communications that we are going "All-Electronic" with the delivery of practice specialty publications starting January 2009. We see this as an exciting development and added benefit for practice specialty members. Publications will be delivered to you in a multi-media manner, which will make your practice specialty membership experience more enjoyable. With "All-Electronic" delivery we have more opportunity in regards to length of technical publications, the inclusion of full-color pictures and graphs, direct Internet links, and search capabilities. We think you will be impressed for what is being planned in 2009. Without sounding too hokey – the word "nifty" comes to mind.
In addition, the membership – and that means you – have consistently asked us to take this step. Going electronic allows for more efficient and effective means of delivery. This will have a number of benefits including environmental as the use of paper and materials for the printing process will no longer be needed. Hey – we are the American Society of Safety Engineers, and we are dedicated to the protection of people, property, and the environment. So, per our mission statement we have to do something to put more "E" into SH&E. In short, we need to practice what we preach. So what does this mean? Starting in January, all practice specialty technical publications will be sent to you by email instead of regular mail. They will also be accessible through a secured website. All practice specialty members will receive directions for accessing these publications before the transition takes place.
Please note that ASSE will need to have your e-mail address on file by November 30, 2008. If you change your e-mail address, visit http://www.asse.org/about/addresschange.php to update your information or contact Customer Service at (847) 699-2929.
The Council on Practices and Standards is pleased to be able to offer you its publications in a more efficient and environmentally sound manner. We appreciate your continued support.
Any questions or comments should go to Tim Fisher at TFisher@ASSE.org or Rennie Heath at RHeath@ASSE.org.
Thanks and Regards - Your Council on Practices and Standards
Anyway, you have hopefully seen by now the communications that we are going "All-Electronic" with the delivery of practice specialty publications starting January 2009. We see this as an exciting development and added benefit for practice specialty members. Publications will be delivered to you in a multi-media manner, which will make your practice specialty membership experience more enjoyable. With "All-Electronic" delivery we have more opportunity in regards to length of technical publications, the inclusion of full-color pictures and graphs, direct Internet links, and search capabilities. We think you will be impressed for what is being planned in 2009. Without sounding too hokey – the word "nifty" comes to mind.
In addition, the membership – and that means you – have consistently asked us to take this step. Going electronic allows for more efficient and effective means of delivery. This will have a number of benefits including environmental as the use of paper and materials for the printing process will no longer be needed. Hey – we are the American Society of Safety Engineers, and we are dedicated to the protection of people, property, and the environment. So, per our mission statement we have to do something to put more "E" into SH&E. In short, we need to practice what we preach. So what does this mean? Starting in January, all practice specialty technical publications will be sent to you by email instead of regular mail. They will also be accessible through a secured website. All practice specialty members will receive directions for accessing these publications before the transition takes place.
Please note that ASSE will need to have your e-mail address on file by November 30, 2008. If you change your e-mail address, visit http://www.asse.org/about/addresschange.php to update your information or contact Customer Service at (847) 699-2929.
The Council on Practices and Standards is pleased to be able to offer you its publications in a more efficient and environmentally sound manner. We appreciate your continued support.
Any questions or comments should go to Tim Fisher at TFisher@ASSE.org or Rennie Heath at RHeath@ASSE.org.
Thanks and Regards - Your Council on Practices and Standards
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