Industrial Safety & Hygiene News articles from May 2007

Industrial Safety & Hygiene News archives from May 2007

Flunking as a futurist: a dozen years ago I took some guesses ...(EDITORIAL comments)
May 1, 2007... With our cover story this month taking a look at the future of industrial hygiene, I thought I'd dust off some predictions I made a dozen years ago and see how they turned out. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Back on a sunny spring Saturday,...

Safety rules changes recommended following chemical explosion.(rules & REGS)
May 1, 2007... Federal investigators recommended changes to federal workplace safety rules last month, as they released their final report on a chemical explosion and fire that killed a delivery driver at a suburban Chicago industrial plant last year, the...

Updated OSHA guide focuses on preventing amputations.(rules & REGS)
May 1, 2007... OSHA released in March a revised guide that focuses specifically on preventing amputations in industrial settings. The guide, Safeguarding Equipment and Protecting Employees from Amputations, ties into the agency's emphasis program aimed at...

OSHA publishes waste treatment facility "design for safety" case study.(rules & REGS)
May 1, 2007... OSHA has published on its Web site a case study that describes how the Washington Group International incorporated its design-for-safety process into the construction of the U.S. Department of Energy's Advanced Mixed Waste Treatment Facility in...

Dierzen-Kewanee Heavy Industries Ltd.(OSHA Penalty Box: a summary of recent fines/citation)
May 1, 2007... Dierzen-Kewanee Heavy Industries Ltd., Kewanee, Ill. Proposed penalties: $300,600 (issued 4/10/07) Dump truck trailer manufacturer failed to respond to OSHA requests seeking abatement information for two previous inspections. Of 32...

Premium Protein Products.(OSHA Penalty Box: a summary of recent fines/citation)(Brief article)
May 1, 2007... Premium Protein Products, Hastings, Neb. Proposed penalties: $180,900 (issued 4/10/07) Meat processing facility cited for 37 alleged safety and health violations including Process Safety Management (PSM) deficiencies. One alleged...

Inca Presswood Pallets Ltd.(OSHA Penalty Box: a summary of recent fines/citation)
May 1, 2007... Inca Presswood Pallets Ltd., Dover, Ohio Proposed penalties: $157,200 (issued 3/23/07) Following a September 2006 fatality, pallet manufacturer cited for allegedly failing to: control potentially hazardous energy during machine repair...

Associated Spring, Barnes Group Inc.(OSHA Penalty Box: a summary of recent fines/citation)
May 1, 2007... Associated Spring, Barnes Group Inc., Bristol, Conn. Proposed penalties: $142,550 (issued 4/4/07) Manufacturing plant cited for 53 alleged serious violations of safety and health standards following OSHA inspections. Conditions,...

Rexnord Industries LLC.(OSHA Penalty Box: a summary of recent fines/citation)(Brief article)
May 1, 2007... Rexnord Industries LLC, Milwaukee, Wis. Proposed penalties: $120,000 (issued 3/29/07) Penalties allege a lack of guarding on chain and sprocket equipment, lack of guarding on mechanical presses and load rams, failure to follow lockout/...

Ross Valve Manufacturing Inc.(OSHA Penalty Box: a summary of recent fines/citation)
May 1, 2007... Ross Valve Manufacturing Inc., Troy, N.Y. Proposed penalties: $119,000 (issued 3/20/07) Steel and brass valve manufacturer cited for 40 health and safety violations, including lead overexposures. The company allegedly failed to conduct...

Phoenix Trim Works Inc.(OSHA Penalty Box: a summary of recent fines/citation)
May 1, 2007... Phoenix Trim Works Inc., Williamsport, Pa. Proposed penalties: $111,500 (issued 3/27/07) Textile company, which manufactures decorative trim and specialty fabrics for furniture, cited for machine guarding hazards and for failure to...

Coreslab Structures (Conn.) Inc.(OSHA Penalty Box: a summary of recent fines/citation)
May 1, 2007... Coreslab Structures (Conn.) Inc., Thomaston, Conn. Proposed penalties: $105,500 (issued 4/2/07) Precast concrete products plant faces proposed fines for unguarded saw blades and a variety of chemical, fire and electrical hazards. OSHA...

Aapex Environmental Services Inc.(OSHA Penalty Box: a summary of recent fines/citation)
May 1, 2007... Aapex Environmental Services Inc., Liverpool, N.Y. Proposed penalties: $57,000 (issued 4/9/07) Syracuse-area asbestos abatement contractor exposed employees to asbestos-related health hazards during an asbestos removal project....

Biszko Contracting Corp.(OSHA Penalty Box: a summary of recent fines/citation)(Brief article)
May 1, 2007... Biszko Contracting Corp., Fall River, Mass. Proposed penalties: $36,400 (issued 3/27/07) Contractor fined for failure to supply cave-in protection for an employee working in a 7.3-foot deep excavation at a Norwood, Mass., worksite...

Web poll participants overwhelmingly give thumbs up to GHS.(news SCAN)(Survey)(Brief article)
May 1, 2007... Participants in a recent Web poll voted Overwhelmingly--98 percent "yes" and two percent "no"--that they see hazardous communications systems improving as a result of Global Harmonization of Labeling and Classification of Chemicals (GHS)...

Survey: 85 percent of safety pros observe PPE noncompliance.(news SCAN)(Survey)(Brief article)
May 1, 2007... A whopping 85 percent of safety professionals surveyed at the National Safety Council (NSC) Congress in November 2006 said they had observed people in their organizations failing to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) when they should have...

Wellness motivation a tough task, managers say.(news SCAN)
May 1, 2007... Motivating and incenting employees to participate in their organization's wellness programs is a chief concern of wellness and health promotion professionals responding to the Workplace Wellness Management Survey, sponsored by WellnessJunction....

More lung damage linked to butter flavoring.(news SCAN)
May 1, 2007... Ongoing medical screening of California flavoring industry workers has turned up another 22 young employees with abnormally low lung capacity--evidence of chemical poisoning on the job--a top state health official said, according to a March 30...

Beijing subway collapse exposes abuse of Olympic workers.(news SCAN)
May 1, 2007... While a Beijing rescue team frantically searched for six buried workers in an Olympic subway cave-in in late March, their bosses mounted an elaborate cover-up to prevent the police from discovering the tragedy, according to a report on...

Finding your "voice": is safety leadership your calling?(PSYCHOLOGY of safety)
May 1, 2007... Last month my ISHN contribution contrasted paradigms of the "Industrial Age" versus the "Age of the Knowledge Worker." Stephen Covey refers to the former as the "Age of Control" whereby manual workers are expected to follow the rules and...

Start your nanotech education now: the nano revolution will be rolling by 2015.(MANAGING BEST practices)
May 1, 2007... The nanotech revolution is predicted to be in full swing by 2015. By then many engineered nanomaterials will have moved out of the research lab and into the marketplace, creating over a $1 trillion global industry and employing more than one...

The future of industrial hygiene.(Interview)(Cover story)
May 1, 2007... INTRO Fifteen years flies by, just watch kids grow. Back in 1992, about one in five members of the American Industrial Hygiene Association were consultants (22 percent to be exact). AIHA had just moved its headquarters from Akron, Ohio to...

1 Radiation dosimeter.(PRODUCT UPDATE: AIHCE preview)
May 1, 2007... CIRCLE 257 Ideal for first responders, RAE's new DoseRAE and DoseRAE-P (programmable) are Geiger-Mueller tube-based, electronic, gamma radiation dosimeters that provide an easy way to monitor personal radiation dosages. The rugged,...

2 Particulate respirator.(PRODUCT UPDATE: AIHCE preview)
May 1, 2007... CIRCLE 258 Moldex's 2800N Series particulate respirator with HandyStrap[R] incorporates an added carbon layer that helps filter out nuisance levels of ozone and organic vapors. For use in most welding applications, the N95 respirator can...

3 Hi-viz radio muffs.(PRODUCT UPDATE: AIHCE preview)
May 1, 2007... CIRCLE 259 Bilsom[R] Radio Hi-Visibility earmuffs feature a 3.5mm AUX input jack, allowing connection to MP3 players and other portable audio devices. Bright green earcups and reflective headband provide clear visibility, day or night....

4 Five-gas detector.(PRODUCT UPDATE: AIHCE preview)
May 1, 2007... CIRCLE 260 GasAlertMicro 5 from BW Technologies is rugged, water-resistant and capable of simultaneously monitoring up to five gases, including combustibles, H2S, CO, O2 and other toxic gases such as ammonia, chlorine and phosphine....

5 Gas detection.(PRODUCT UPDATE: AIHCE preview)
May 1, 2007... CIRCLE 261 MSA's ALTAIR family of gas detectors and test equipment provides a complete range of options for single-gas detection and instrument maintenance. Designed for use in a wide variety of applications, the series includes the ALTAIR...

6 Chemical glove.(PRODUCT UPDATE: AIHCE preview)
May 1, 2007... CIRCLE 262 The Silver Shield[R]/4H[R] glove from North provides superior protection against more than 280 known hazardous chemicals. The North Silver Shield can be used where dangers of mechanical damage to the glove are high. The...

Heat stress prevention: proper hydration is part of an overall safety strategy.
May 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] With summer around the corner, it's time to start preparing for the hot days ahead and how they affect employees. Difficult, strenuous work conditions can impact the health and well-being of your employees anytime....

Company resolves vapor issues to improve respiratory protection, overall worker safety.(CASE STUDY)
May 1, 2007... CH2M HILL is responsible for safely managing more than 53 million gallons of radioactive and chemical waste on the Department of Energy's Hanford site in south-central Washington State. The waste is stored in 177 underground tanks. Part of CH2M...

Beware of MRSA: tips to protect workers from an ever-growing infectious bacteria.
May 1, 2007... For decades, those of us in the medical community have known we were creating a monster, which has presented itself in the form of infectious bacteria called MRSA (methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus). MRSA bacteria can lead to a...

How to improve fire exit routes to ensure safe emergency evacuations.
May 1, 2007... When smoke fills a room or uncontrolled flames become visible in a building, it's almost inevitable that someone will panic. Unfortunately, it is impossible to completely engineer this dynamic out of emergency plans. However, making it as easy...

New technologies expand detection equipment options for first responders.
May 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] A freight train derails, spewing a cloud of toxic gas... A white powder leaks from a package in the local post office... A leak at a chemical plant results in toxic vapors inundating a residential area... A fire...

Goodbye to the "Suicide Cutter": today's handy safety knives protect arms & wrists.
May 1, 2007... Years ago, the grocery industry, in particular, found a type of handy little knife to be very useful when opening tens of thousands of box tops every day. However, along with providing a quick and easy way to open cartons came a propensity for...

FR clothing: why you may need it, and how to be in compliance.
May 1, 2007... You may be taking a first look or a closer look at flame-resistant (FR) clothing for a simple reason: Legal regulations and voluntary industry safety standards encompassing personal protective equipment (PPE) are becoming more exact and...

Take your FR clothing program beyond industry standards--just to be safe.
May 1, 2007... There are many different flame-resistant (FR) fibers, fabrics, blends and weights in the U.S. today; each one provides different levels of thermal protection, comfort, durability and cost. When selecting FR fabrics, safety pros can enlist the...

Looking for the right confined space gas monitor? Consider these factors before choosing.
May 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Since legislation regarding entry into confined spaces was established in 1993, safety professionals have been on a quest to find the ideal confined space gas monitor. The instrument must be easy to use, detects and...

China proposes worker protection law: multinational corporations loudly protest.(ISHN Global Watch)
May 1, 2007... China is now finalizing a new "Labor Contract Law" to protect workers in the global economy's "biggest factory floor," but the proposal is hitting a wall of opposition from transnational corporations who are threatening to move their operations...

Confined space compliance IQ test: for health & safety professionals.
May 1, 2007... Work history, personal opinion, and company policy seem to often "cloud the mind" and lead to practice, procedures, or opinions regarding Permit-Required Confined Spaces that are in conflict with the actual content of the OSHA regulation....

When it comes to fire prevention there's no substitute for best practices.(training STRATEGIES)
May 1, 2007... In October 1871, the Great Chicago Fire raged through the city, killing more than 250 people. It left over 100,000 Chicago residents homeless, destroyed more than 17,400 buildings and burned over 2,000 acres. The blame for the fire was pegged...

Four-gas detector.(AIHCE preview)
May 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Circle 263 Ideal for confined space use, GfG's Microtector II G450 AutoCal[R] Series offers compact, lightweight four-gas detection, continuously measuring CO, H2S, O2 and combustibles in ambient air. The...

Methane detection.(AIHCE preview)
May 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Circle 264 The Laser Methane, a remote handheld detection device from Crowcon, delivers accurate methane surveys without requiring direct contact with methane gas; concentrations in parts per million can be...

Color gas monitor.(AIHCE preview)
May 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Circle 265 Featuring a full-color LCD display screen, Industrial Scientific's new MX6 iBrid[TM] gas monitor detects from one to six gases including oxygen, combustible gases and up to four toxic gases. The MX6...

Noise monitoring.(AIHCE preview)
May 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Circle 266 New SoundTrack LxT[R] firmware version 1.3 offers added functionality for occasional and semi-permanent outdoor noise monitoring of city, factory and construction site noise. Compatible with all Larson...

Industrial gas detector.(AIHCE preview)
May 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Circle 267 Honeywell Analytics' new Series 3000 XPIS (Explosion Proof, Intrinsically Safe) gas detector for industrial applications utilizes existing two-wire systems to monitor for toxic and oxygen gas hazards...

Confined space ventilator.(AIHCE preview)
May 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Circle 268 Designed for confined space use, the Saddle Vent[R] ventilator from Air Systems provides continuous, quick access to the manhole for either entry or egress. Saddle Vent improves confined entry rescue;...

1 to 6 gas sample drawing.(AIHCE preview)
May 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Circle 269 The RKI Eagle allows simultaneous detection of up to six different gases. The versatile unit features PPM and LEL hydrocarbon detection, autocalibration, an industrial strength internal sampling pump...

Nanotechnology: what you can do now to protect employees.
May 1, 2007... The field of nanotechnology promises to impact our future significantly. Nanosized materials are used in numerous products already on the market, and many more are in development. Researchers project that nanomaterials may help us solve the...

Ammonia refrigeration safety measures in bottling operations.
May 1, 2007... Ammonia, CAS Number 7664-41-7, is one of the most commonly manufactured bulk chemicals in the world. Widely used in fertilizers, plastics, refrigeration, metallurgy, explosives and household products, Ammonia is a toxic, highly reactive, and...

Handicapped accessible emergency showers & eyewashes: assessing ADA & ANSI requirements.
May 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Individuals with physical limitations are due the same access to emergency response facilities as are the able-bodied--period. By current definition, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) guidelines do not...

DuPont.(BUSINESSES)
May 1, 2007... DuPont has named Best Manufacturing Co. as a licensed manufacturer for Kevlar[R] industrial gloves and apparel. As a result of the new agreement, Best's coating technology will be paired with DuPont's cut-resistant Kevlar[R] fiber technology...

3E Company[R], a leading provider of EHS compliance and information management services, has formed a partnership with the Synthetic Organic Chemical Manufacturers Association (SOCMA) to increase awareness of key environmental, health, safety and security (EHS&S) concerns facing the chemical industry.(BUSINESSES)
May 1, 2007... 3E Company[R], a leading provider of EHS compliance and information management services, has formed a partnership with the Synthetic Organic Chemical Manufacturers Association (SOCMA) to increase awareness of key environmental, health, safety...

Gasco Affiliates LLC.(BUSINESSES)
May 1, 2007... Gasco Affiliates LLC, Oldsmar, Fla., a producer of precision calibration gas, equipment and accessories, has expanded into a new 12,000-sq.-ft. headquarters facility. The building will increase production and inventory capacity, and support the...

Events.(Calendar)
May 1, 2007... may Certificate Preparation Workshops, May 20-26, Des Plaines, IL, American Society of Safety Engineers, (847) 699-2929, www.asse.org june American Industrial Hygiene Conference & Expo--AIHce 2007, June 2-7, Philadelphia, PA,...

George H.R. Taylor.(In passing)(Occupational Safety and Health Administration)(Obituary)
May 1, 2007... George H.R. Taylor, 95, an AFL-CIO labor leader who helped draft the Occupational Safety and Health Act in 1970, died of pneumonia March 23 at a hospital in Rockville, Md. Mr. Taylor was a staunch defender of safe workplaces. He worked for the...

International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA).(REFERENCES)
May 1, 2007... A new American National Standard from the International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA), ANSI/ISEA 207-2006, American National Standard for High-Visibility Public Safety Vests, establishes design, performance specifications and use criteria...

OSHA.(REFERENCES)
May 1, 2007... OSHA has released a new version of the "It's The Law" poster, also known as the OSHA Notice of Employee Rights. While the poster is required to be displayed in every workplace in America, the current edition is still valid; employers are not...

American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA).(ASSOCIATIONS)
May 1, 2007... The American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) recently announced the results of its 2007 election for the AIHA Board of Directors: * Cathy L. Cole, CIH, CSP, corporate director of occupational health for the Sherwin Williams Co.,...

Prescription safety eyewear.(product NEWS)
May 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Circle 271 AOSafety's new brand of safety prescription eyewear frames for the ophthalmic market--the Orange County Chopper Collection--features four initial frame styles: Outlaw, TRX, The Hunter and Lightning....

Electronic ear muff.(product NEWS)
May 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Circle 272 Elvex Level Dependent ear muff uses the same technical components as Elvex foldable muff for impulse noise, with electronics tuned for continuous industrial noise. The unit enables close range...

Slip-resistant footwear.(product NEWS)
May 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Circle 273 Helping reduce slips and falls, Safetrax[R] Steel Toe Oxfords feature leather uppers, oil- and slip-resistant outsoles, and 5-piece orthotic insoles that enhance comfort. Men's Steel Toe Oxford style...

Electrical safety.(product NEWS)
May 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Circle 274 Grace's VoltageVision[R] (R-3W) Power Warning Alert is a 30mm pushbutton-type device hardwired into the load side of the main disconnect. The thru-door voltage indicator's redundant flashing LEDs...

Kneeling device.(product NEWS)
May 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Circle 275 The RACATAC[R] is an innovative kneeling/rolling/sitting tool that enables workers to move around effortlessly without crawling, while taking pressure off of knees, feet and back. The highly mobile...

HEPA-Filtered Glove Boxes.(product NEWS)
May 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Circle 276 No Photo Labconco's new Precise[TM] HEPA-Filtered Glove Boxes provide a physical barrier to protect operator from hazardous airborne particulates and powders. For use in pharmaceutical research,...

Helmet Light.(product NEWS)
May 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Circle 277 Ideal for first responders, Pelican's new Universal Helmet Lighting System combines either the PM6 LED or Incandescent light along with the company's Universal Helmet Bracket for use on virtually any...

"I changed gears and couldn't be happier": up the corporate ladder and back down again.(your turn)
May 1, 2007... Many years ago, it seems another lifetime almost, I worked in safety for a paper company in the South, and then in New England. Now I am with an insurance carrier in the Atlanta area and, believe me, I'll never venture north for work again! ...