9/17/2012

Time is Running Short for You to Adopt OSHA’s Globally Harmonized Hazard Communication Standard (GHS)

Safety

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, MSDS (called “safety data sheet” or SDS under the new standard), and written hazard communication plan must be revised to meet the new standard. Worker training must be updated by December 13, 2013 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.

Environmental Resource Center is offering webcast training for you to learn how the new rule differs from current requirements, how to implement the changes, and when the changes must be implemented. Register for the upcoming webcast on How to Prepare for OSHA’s Globally Harmonized Hazard Communication Standard (GHS) offered on October 2, 2012.

How to Author GHS Safety Data Sheets

OSHA has adopted the new Globally Harmonized System (GHS) for the classification and labeling of hazardous chemicals. A cornerstone of GHS is the adoption of a completely revised Safety Data Sheet (SDS). In Environmental Resource Center’s new, How to Author GHS Safety Data Sheets webcast, you will learn the differences between the MSDS and SDS, how to author SDSs that meet the latest OSHA standards, how to classify your products according to the 28 GHS hazard classes and 88 categories, what must be entered in each section of the SDS, essential references you can use to locate data for each section of the SDS, and how to handle trade secrets. Although the deadline for revising you SDSs is not until 2015, starting your updates now will ensure that you’ll have plenty of time to ensure that they are complete, accurate, and compliant with the US and international requirements.

To learn meet the new SDS requirements, attend How to Author GHS Safety Data Sheets webcast on October 3, 2012.

How to Label Hazardous Chemicals Using OSHA’s New GHS Hazcom Standard

Workplace and supplier hazard communication labels are being reinvented with OSHA’s adoption of the new Globally Harmonized System (GHS) for labeling hazardous chemicals. In a new, interactive Environmental Resource Center webcast, How to Label Hazardous Chemicals Using OSHA’s New GHS Hazcom Standard, you will learn the difference between workplace and supplier labels; what signal words, hazard statements, precautionary statements, and pictograms must be on your labels; essential references you can use to locate required label information; and how to label products with existing HMIS, NFPA, DOT, and CPSC labels.

The How to Label Hazardous Chemicals Using OSHA’s New GHS Hazcom Standard webcast will be offered on October 4, 2012.

Columbus RCRA and DOT Training

Register for Hazardous Waste Management: The Complete Course (RCRA) and DOT Hazardous Materials Training: The Complete Course, in Columbus, Ohio, from September 25–27 and save $100. To take advantage of this offer, click here or call 1-800-537-2372.

Spartanburg RCRA and DOT Training

Register for Hazardous Waste Management: The Complete Course (RCRA) and DOT Hazardous Materials Training: The Complete Course, in Spartanburg, South Carolina, from October 2–4 and save $100. To take advantage of this offer, click here or call 1-800-537-2372.

Chicago RCRA and DOT Training

Register for Hazardous Waste Management: The Complete Course (RCRA) and DOT Hazardous Materials Training: The Complete Course, in Chicago, Illinois, from October 9–11 and save $100. To take advantage of this offer, click here or call 1-800-537-2372.

OSHA Cites Seven Companies for Exposing Workers to Asbestos

OSHA has cited seven construction companies—three Miami, Florida-based contractors and four San Antonio, Texas-based subcontractors—with 45 serious and one other-than-serious violation for exposing workers to asbestos hazards at a San Antonio construction work site. Proposed penalties total $148,000.

In response to a referral by the Texas Department of State Health Services, OSHA initiated a safety and health inspection in March at the Reserves at Pecan Valley apartment complex. Inspectors found that workers were remodeling apartments without the use of proper clothing and respiratory equipment that would protect them from exposure to asbestos.

Specifically, the violations include failing to abate asbestos hazards and ensure that employees work in regulated areas, perform air monitoring for asbestos exposure, use the required engineering controls to prevent exposure, require the use of proper respiratory and personal protective equipment, train workers on the hazards of working with asbestos and ensure that an asbestos assessment is performed by a qualified person. A serious violation occurs when there is a substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result from a hazard about which the employer knew or should have known.

The Miami-based contractors have been cited for a total of 14 violations: Newport Property Ventures LLC, has been issued citations carrying $36,100 in fines for eight serious and one other than serious violation; Newport Property Construction LLC, has been cited $12,600 for two serious violations; and Jamesboys Inc., has been issued citations carrying $18,900 in fines for three serious violations.

The San Antonio subcontractors have been cited for a total of 32 violations: Alex Vega doing business as Alco Painting & Remodeling has been issued citations carrying $28,200 in fines for 11 serious violations; Luis Lozada has been issued citations with $20,400 in fines for eight serious violations; Frank Gonzalez has been issued citations with $9,600 in fines for four serious violations; and Clemente Covarrubias, doing business as Knock It Out, has been issued citations with $22,200 in fines for nine serious violations.

Apartment Community Cited After Two Workers Hospitalized

OSHA has cited Rochdale Village Inc., for alleged repeat and serious violations of workplace health and safety standards after two maintenance employees were hospitalized for accidentally inhaling a powder pesticide. The apartment community, located in the Jamaica neighborhood of Queens, New York, faces a total of $116,400 in proposed fines following an inspection by OSHA.

The employees – who were permitted to enter nonventilated compactor rooms to bag garbage after powder pesticide had been applied – lacked adequate respiratory protection, effective training, and information to protect themselves from pesticides and other hazardous chemicals. OSHA found that Rochdale Village failed to conduct a workplace hazard assessment that would have identified these hazards. In addition, employees who changed air conditioning filters in the apartment complex lacked adequate respiratory protection.

These conditions have resulted in citations carrying $71,500 in penalties for three repeat violations. 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. Rochdale Village was cited for similar hazards in January 2010.

Citations carrying $44,900 in penalties have been issued for seven serious violations after OSHA determined that employees who worked with caustic and hazardous chemicals in the compactor and chemical storage rooms lacked eye and hand protection, as well as emergency eyewash stations, and that Rochdale Village failed to both conduct an assessment to identify such hazards and evaluate confined space hazards associated with crawlspaces in which plumbers and handymen routinely worked. Additionally, employees who bagged garbage, and thus were exposed to needles and debris, were not subject to an exposure control plan and other safeguards to protect them from bloodborne pathogens.

OSHA Fines SeaCast $104,000 for Safety Violations at Foundry

OSHA has cited SeaCast Inc., for 14 safety and health violations—including one willful—following an inspection at the company’s foundry in Butte, Montana. The Washington state-based company faces proposed penalties of $104,000 following an inspection that was initiated after OSHA received complaints alleging safety and health violations.

Thirteen serious violations involve machine guarding deficiencies, elevated levels of respirable silica, not providing a fully implemented respiratory protection program for employees, unsecured storage racks and materials, blocked electrical equipment, inadequate housekeeping, and failing to reduce the pressure of compressed air nozzles to less than 30 lb per square inch.

The willful violation is failing to administer a continuous, effective hearing conservation program. 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.

Dana Holding Corp. Ordered to Pay Whistleblower Nearly $275,000 in Back Wages, Damages

Dana Holding Corp., has been ordered by the Department of Labor to reinstate and pay $274,922.47 in back wages and benefits, compensatory damages, and attorney’s fees to a financial analyst who was fired from the company’s Toledo, Ohio, facility in February 2009.

The order resulted from an investigation by OSHA into alleged violations of the whistleblower protection provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. OSHA was able to substantiate a complaint submitted by the employee, who alleged termination for raising concerns about inaccuracies in the company’s customer information assessment system database that could be reflected as inaccuracies in the company’s annual financial reports.

Specifically, OSHA’s order requires the company to pay $47,813.72 in back wages, vacation pay, pension, and 401(k) contributions; $108,167.60 in compensatory damages; and $118,941.15 in attorney’s fees. In addition to immediate reinstatement, the company must expunge any adverse references related to the discharge in the employee’s personnel record, post a notice about the Sarbanes-Oxley Act’s whistleblower provisions for all employees, and train employees on these provisions.

Dana Holding supplies driveline, sealing, and thermal management technologies for passenger, commercial, and off-highway vehicles. The company is headquartered in Maumee and employs about 25,500 workers worldwide.

Job Opening: Safety Consultant/Trainer

Environmental Resource Center has a new opening for a safety consultant and auditor. We are looking for a former OSHA CSHO, OSHA trainer, or state inspector for this full-time position in our Cary, North Carolina, office. Applicants should have excellent writing and speaking skills and be willing to travel 5–10 days per month. We are looking for an expert in all of the General Industry standards who is capable of performing audits of industrial facilities, developing computer based training programs, and conducting on-site training.

Strong consideration will be given to applicants who also have experience providing Hazwoper, hazard communication, lockout/tagout, confined spaces, and machine guarding training.

The position includes maintenance of training materials (books and presentations), working on consulting projects, development of classes and computer-based training programs, and ensuring customer satisfaction.

If you meet these qualifications, are enthusiastic about safety regulations, have auditing experience, have experience creating CBTs, and have the ability to entertain students, send your resume, references, and salary requirements to Amy Knight at aknight@ercweb.com. Environmental Resource Center offers a competitive salary, 401(k), medical, dental, and other great benefits.