The July 2009 issue of the Cochrane Review includes a review of the scientific evidence on interventions to prevent occupational noise-induced hearing loss. The review, coauthored by NIOSH researcher, Thais Morata, looks at different occupational areas and what mechanisms (legislation, proper hearing protector usage, etc.) best work to reduce noise levels in workplaces and/or reduce noise exposure of workers.
New Reports on Safety of Engineered Nanomaterials
The international Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) released the following three new reports on the safety of engineered nanomaterials:
- Report of an OECD Workshop on Exposure Assessment and Exposure Mitigation: Manufactured Nanomaterials,
- Comparison of Guidance on Selection of Skin Protective Equipment and Respirators for Use in the Workplace: Manufactured Nanomaterials
- Emission Assessment for Identification of Sources and Release of Airborne Manufactured Nanomaterials in the Workplace: Compilation of Existing Guidance
Two New Health Hazard Evaluation Reports Now Available
Investigators found that the number and types of cancer reported did not appear unusual and were unlikely to be related to magnetic fields. The report recommended measures to address employee concerns, including steps to further reduce exposures to magnetic fields by limiting the amount of time spent in the computer server room and increasing distances between employees and magnetic field sources.
Investigators found that wearing pants made from FireWear? fabric did not pose a health hazard from antimony exposure. Investigators recommended that fire departments continue to issue station uniforms that comply with the National Fire Protection Association 1975 standard.
Public Meeting On Respirator Standards Development
NIOSH will hold a public meeting on September 17 at the Hyatt Regency Pittsburgh International Airport, pertaining to standards for testing and certification of respirators. Topics include respirator standards development projects for supplied-air respirators (SAR), air-fed ensembles/suits, and total inward leakage (TIL) test for half-mask, air-purifying particulate respirators.
HEARTSafe Workplace Initiative: An Occupational Health and Chronic Disease Partnership
The initiative is designed to assist and encourage employers in creating a working environment where employee education and training, workplace policies, and access to lifesaving equipment all provide a greater opportunity for survival of workers experiencing sudden cardiac events on the job.
Sinclair Tulsa Refining Fined $240,750 for Safety Hazards Including PSM Violations
OSHA has cited Sinclair Tulsa Refining Co. with alleged willful and serious violations—one of each—following an inspection at the company’s crude oil refinery in Tulsa. Proposed penalties total $240,750.
OSHA’s Oklahoma City Area Office began its investigation February 4 at the company’s facility on 25th Street in Tulsa. The inspection was initiated as part of OSHA’s National Emphasis Program (NEP) for Petroleum Refineries, which has mandated inspections for refineries across the nation.
“Failure to effectively implement OSHA’s process safety management regulations to protect employees from potential hazards at high risk facilities, such as petrochemical refineries, will not be tolerated,” said David Bates, OSHA’s area director in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. “This planned inspection has identified hazards for corrective action to help prevent accidents or injuries.”
The willful citation was issued for failing to promptly address hazards identified in a process hazard analysis (PHA) conducted in 1995. The PHA, required by OSHA standards, identified electrical equipment in a crude unit control room capable of creating an ignition source for flammable vapors. The PHA also identified the need to provide early warning devices for flammable and toxic releases. These hazards had not been corrected at the time of the February 2009 OSHA inspection. OSHA defines a willful violation as one committed with intentional disregard of, or plain indifference to, the requirements of the Occupational Safety and Health Act.
The serious citation, which includes 38 violations, was issued for hazards associated with process safety management, portable fire extinguishers, emergency response and evacuation, benzene, hexavalent chromium, electrical deficiencies, chemical storage, fall protection, compressed gas cylinders and walking/working surfaces. A serious violation is one in which there is substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result from a hazard about which the employer knew or should have known.
$442,000 in Fines for Lead and Other Hazards
OSHA has proposed a combined total of $442,150 in fines against Globe Composite Solutions Ltd. and ADP TotalSource II Inc. for alleged violations of health and safety standards at the companies’ Rockland, Massachusetts, composite materials research, development, manufacturing, and assembly facility.
“The inspection identified inadequate or absent safeguards against employees’ exposure to lead and its attendant health hazards, including failure to conduct required monitoring, follow basic lead hygiene procedures and ensure adequate respiratory protection,” said Brenda Gordon, OSHA’s area director for Boston and southeastern Massachusetts.
Specifically, the companies:
- Did not conduct required air and biological monitoring to determine and track employees’ lead exposure levels
- Did not prevent employee overexposure to lead
- Did not implement adequate controls to reduce lead exposure
- Did not keep work surfaces and floors as clean of lead accumulation as possible
- Failed to equip the ventilation system with backup HEPA filters and lead monitoring equipment
- Lacked adequate respiratory protection programs, procedures, equipment, and training
- Allowed respirators and protective suits to be stored in lead contaminated areas
- Did not provide clean change rooms, showers, and an appropriate lunchroom for lead exposed employees
- Did not prevent employees from wearing lead contaminated clothing home and in the lunch room
- Did not provide lead hazard training
Both companies also have been cited for lack of personal protective equipment (PPE), incomplete lockout/tagout program and training, and lack of a comprehensive written chemical hazard communication program and training. In addition, Globe Composite Solutions was cited for failing to provide safe work practices training and protective equipment for employees performing electrical work and for inadequate or inaccurate injury and illness recording.
In summary, Globe Composite Solutions faces $209,500 in proposed fines for two willful, 41 serious, and six other-than-serious violations. ADP TotalSource II faces $232,650 in fines for two willful violations, 29 serious violations, and one other-than-serious violation.
MillerCoors Faces $128,500 in Fines Following One Employee Fatality and Employee Injuries
OSHA has cited MillerCoors LLC in Golden, Colorado, with 10 alleged safety and health violations from two investigations involving the death of one and the injury of two workers. OSHA launched an investigation into the company’s safety and health practices following the death of an employee at the brewery on February 2, 2009. A second investigation opened following an accident on April 9 in which two employees were injured. OSHA has proposed $128,500 in penalties against the company for the alleged violations.
Together, the investigations disclosed one alleged willful and nine alleged serious violations of safety regulations governing electrical hazards. OSHA alleges that workplace conditions contributed to two employees being burned by an electrical arc flash on April 9. Furthermore, OSHA alleges that inadequate safety measures were in place to protect against electrical hazards at the time of the February 2 accident; however, the Jefferson County coroner’s office could not determine if those conditions contributed to the final cause of death.
“Our hearts go out to the family and friends of the worker who died as well as the two injured workers,” said Greg Baxter, OSHA’s regional administrator in Denver. “At the time of both accidents, the company’s procedures for dealing with electrical hazards were inadequate. MillerCoors needs to take the necessary steps to eliminate electrical hazards in its workplaces.
The alleged willful violation stems from the company’s failure to ensure the use of appropriate electrical protective equipment when employees were working on or near energized electrical parts. The serious violations relate to inadequate safe work practices and failure to ensure adequate PPE was available and used by employees working on or near energized equipment.
Fluid Management Systems Fined $125,000 for Electrical, Chemical, and Respirator Hazards
OSHA has cited Fluid Management Systems Inc., for 29 alleged willful, serious, and other-than-serious violations of safety and health standards at its Watertown, Massachusetts, production plant. The manufacturer of analytical instruments faces a total of $125,000 in proposed penalties, chiefly for electrical, chemical, and respirator hazards.
“Our inspection found employees working in close proximity to energized electrical circuits without proper training or personal protective equipment,” said Paul Mangiafico, OSHA’s area director for Middlesex and Essex counties. “OSHA standards require that circuits be de-energized before employees work on them and that appropriate personal protective equipment be supplied and used in those rare instances where de-energizing is not feasible.”
Other electrical-related hazards found during the inspection included:
- Instances of unguarded or uncovered live electrical parts, equipment and openings
- Failing to de-energize live electrical parts before working on them
- Not training employees in safe electrical work practices
- Allowing unqualified employees to work on energized equipment
Additional hazards included:
- Unmarked exit routes
- Improperly stored compressed gas cylinders
- Inadequate lockout/tagout safeguards
- Improper training and lack of eyewashes for employees working with methylene chloride
- Unlabeled containers of hazardous chemicals
- Inadequate respiratory protection safeguards
As a result, OSHA has issued two willful citations, with $70,000 in proposed fines, for the lack of PPE and for work in close proximity to energized electrical circuits. OSHA has issued 26 serious citations, with $53,500 in fines for the remaining items. The company also has been issued one other-than-serious citation with a $1,500 fine for not recording injuries and illnesses in the OSHA 300 log or equivalent.
OSHA Cites International Paper for Safety and Health Violations Following Fatality
OSHA is proposing 37 citations against International Paper’s paper mill in Augusta, Georgia, following a fatality that occurred at the plant in February 2009 when a worker was struck by a timber loading crane. OSHA has proposed a total of $123,000 in penalties against the company.
OSHA is citing the company with one serious violation for running the crane with an inoperable warning device such as a horn or whistle. The company is also receiving a serious violation for allowing employees to work near machinery that lacked guards or barriers.
A comprehensive safety and health inspection by OSHA staff revealed 26 additional serious safety violations including fall hazards, lack of machine guards, a missing safety latch, missing emergency lighting, poor and missing emergency signage, and electrical hazards. Six serious health violations were identified including dust accumulation, lack of safety information for hazardous chemicals and equipment, missing emergency eyewash stations, failure to perform annual respirator fit tests, and failure to use safer medical devices.
The plant is also being given three other-than-serious citations with no monetary penalties for failing to evaluate powered industrial truck operators, not securely mounting electrical equipment, and failing to include a change schedule for cartridges used to protect workers from multiple gases.
“The large number of serious violations found at this single facility signals management’s failure to take seriously their responsibility for the safety and health of their workforce,” said Gei-Thae Breezley, director of OSHA’s Atlanta-East Area Office.
OSHA Proposes More than $100,000 in Fines for Potential Trenching Hazards at Arkansas Worksite
OSHA has cited Branco Enterprises Inc., with an alleged willful and nine serious violations of federal health and safety regulations following an inspection at the company’s worksite in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Proposed penalties total $102,600.
“This employer failed to protect its employees from possible trench cave-ins,” said Carlos Reynolds, area director of OSHA’s Little Rock Area Office. “It is fortunate that in this case no one was injured.”
OSHA’s Little Rock Area Office began its investigation February 4, 2009. At the time, 20 workers were working at the site, five of whom were in a 7-foot deep trench, preparing the trench for concrete to be poured. The workers were not adequately protected from cave-ins since the trench was not adequately sloped. A willful citation has been issued for failing to have a protective system in place to prevent cave-ins. Protective systems can include sloping and benching of the soil or various shoring methods with steel or timbers to prevent soil collapse.
The nine serious violations include:
- Failing to provide training in hazards associated with trenches
- Failure to protect workers from protruding rebar
- Failure to ensure that employees had appropriate access to and from trenches
OSHA Cites Amer Industrial Technologies Inc., for Workplace Safety and Health Hazards
OSHA has cited Amer Industrial Technologies Inc., for alleged safety and health violations and has proposed $63,750 in penalties. The company, located in Wilmington, Delaware, designs, engineers, manufactures, and tests nuclear and non-nuclear pressure vessels.
OSHA initiated its investigation on March 18, 2009, in response to a complaint alleging unsafe work conditions. As a result, the company has been cited with 33 serious violations, with a penalty of $61,250, and eight other-than-serious violations, with a penalty of $2,500.
The serious violations include:
- Fall hazards
- Unsafe storage of flammable and combustible liquids
- Unguarded machinery
- Lack of welding screens
- Lack of caution signs
- Lack of crane and sling inspections
- Obstructed exits
- Inadequate training
- Lack of safety restraints for compressed air hoses
- Numerous electrical hazards
- Lack of a hearing conservation program
- Lack of a hazard communication program
The other-than-serious violations include:
- Blocked fire extinguishers
- Absence of ‘no smoking’ signs
- Failure to take air samples to determine employee exposure to hexavalent chromium
- Failure to maintain required records
“These violations leave Amer Industrial Technologies employees vulnerable to workplace accidents that can cause injury and possible death,” said Domenick Salvatore, area director of OSHA’s Wilmington office. “The company is strongly encouraged to abate these hazards as quickly as possible.”
OSHA Issues $58,500 in Proposed Penalties Against U.S. Postal Service in Eau Claire, Wisconsin
OSHA has cited the U.S. Postal Service’s Processing and Distribution Facility in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, for alleged repeat and serious violations of federal workplace safety standards and has proposed $58,500 in penalties. OSHA conducted a safety and health inspection and found two alleged repeat violations and one serious violation.
The violations included failure to provide powered industrial vehicle refresher training after the operator had been involved in an accident, operated the vehicle in an unsafe manner, or was assigned to a different type of truck; and failed to ensure that U.S. Postal Service workers performed daily examinations of industrial trucks prior to the trucks being placed into service.
OSHA also cited the Eau Claire facility with three other-than-serious violations for improper occupational injuries record keeping and failing to provide proper driver training.
“It is extremely important that employers ensure that safety and health procedures are followed,” said Mark Hysell, OSHA area director in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. “OSHA’s intention and purpose is to make sure workers return home, safe and healthy, at the end of every shift.”
The U.S. Postal Service has been inspected by OSHA numerous times nationwide, including approximately 136 times since 1981 in the state of Wisconsin.
OSHA Cites Progressive Protein LLC, of Omaha, for Safety and Health Violations Following Worker Fatality
OSHA has cited Progressive Protein LLC, of Omaha for alleged safety and health violations following a fatal accident when an employee died after a forklift overturned and pinned the employee under the overhead protective cage. OSHA’s inspection found three alleged serious and one alleged other-than-serious violation of the Occupational Safety and Health Act.
“This worker’s family will be forever changed; there is no excuse for this accident,” said Charles Adkins, OSHA’s regional administrator in Kansas City, Missouri. “It is imperative that employers eliminate hazards, provide a safe working environment for employees and prevent accidents from occurring.”
The serious violations relate to a lack of proper training and inadequate supervision of powered, industrial-truck-operators-in-training and energy control procedures, as well as a lack of seat belt use. The other-than-serious violation relates to inadequate injury recordkeeping. OSHA issues other-than-serious citations when the violation is directly related to safety and health but unlikely to cause death or serious physical harm.
OSHA is proposing $15,675 in penalties against the company. Progressive Protein has 15 business days from receipt of the citations to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director in Omaha, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.
Oregon OSHA Fines Companies $90,000 for Fatal Incident
Oregon OSHA has fined ConAgra Foods a total of $65,000 and NW Metal Fabricators Inc., $25,000 for safety and health violations related to a February 16, 2009 explosion that killed a worker in Boardman, Oregon.
“The investigation found this tragedy could have easily been prevented if the employers had paid attention to several basic precautions and had considered the information that was available to them,” said Michael Wood, Oregon OSHA administrator. “Kevin Gregerson’s death was the result of work moving forward without an understanding of the hazards that were present and how to address them.”
The explosion took place at the ConAgra Foods potato processing plant in Boardman, where welder Kevin Gregerson was attempting to repair a leak in a steel tank used for potato washing.
Gregerson, a worker employed by NW Metal Fabricators Inc. of Hermiston, died inside the tank when the explosion occurred. Gases had built up under the tank, which ignited, causing the explosion. NW Metal Fabricators worked as a contractor on the site.
“Although Mr. Gregerson worked directly for NW Metal Fabricators, our investigation concluded that ConAgra also violated a number of safety and health rules during the events that led up to the explosion,” Wood said.
Oregon OSHA found that the companies violated several rules related to protecting employees who enter “permit spaces.” Permit spaces are confined spaces that may contain life-threatening hazards. These spaces, such as tanks, wells, or tunnels, have limited ability to exit, may contain potentially harmful material, and are not intended for human habitation. Oregon rules require employers take proper cautions when their employees work in such spaces.
Wildfire Smoke Poses Health Risks
The California Air Resources Board issued a warning regarding the dangers from wood smoke. Smoke from forest fires is a mix of very fine particles that can be dangerous depending on the amount of smoke and personal health.
Air quality and health officials are urging the public to stay informed about regional air pollution levels by watching the media or checking local air pollution officials’ web pages. When the air is unhealthy take the following precautions:
- Stay indoors with windows and doors closed;
- Run air-conditioners on the “re-circulate” setting, if available. A small percentage of newer homes have ventilation systems that actively bring in outdoor air. These should be turned off or set to a “re-circulate” mode;
- Do not run swamp coolers or whole house fans;
- Minimize or stop outdoor activities, especially exercise, during smoky conditions; and,
- Those in a “high-risk health” group or those who cannot find adequate shelter from the smoke should move to an emergency shelter.
If you must be outside in a smoky area, individuals should consider wearing a mask called a “particulate respirator.” These resemble common dust masks but are substantially more effective at removing the airborne small particles.
The most effective way to reduce exposure and avoid the ill effects of smoke is to stay indoors. Eliminate outdoor activities while air quality is in the unhealthy range. Exposure and the ensuing health effects are dependent on the amount of time spent outside, level of exertion and air quality. Effects can be as mild as irritation of the eye, nose and throat, or headache; or as serious as triggered asthma episodes or added stress to weakened cardiovascular systems.
It is especially important for people with respiratory or heart disease to monitor their health. If their symptoms worsen they should immediately consult with their health care providers. Individuals with moderate or severe heart or respiratory disease should consider alternatives and stay away from areas with high smoke concentrations. Such individuals should evaluate whether evacuation might actually cause greater exposure than staying home and using the precautions described above.
OSHA Establishes Watch List to Strengthen Integrity of Outreach Training Program
OSHA recently conducted an undercover investigation as part of its heightened effort to address fraudulent activity by trainers authorized through the OSHA Outreach Training Program. The investigation of a 10-hour course conducted by Don Barker, environmental health and safety director for Thor Construction in Las Vegas, revealed several examples of failure to comply with program guidelines. Barker’s infractions included submitting falsified information regarding the instructional time spent on the topics, failing to collect and retain required documentation, and inappropriately advising students not to contact OSHA to report hazards.
OSHA revoked Barker’s Outreach Training authorization after he declined to appeal the decision and his name has been added to the “Watch List” on OSHA’s website.
“Trainers who fail to provide appropriate safety training will pay a stiff price for their fraudulent behavior,” said Jordan Barab, acting assistant secretary of labor for OSHA. “A tighter record control procedure has been instituted requiring trainers to sign their reports and certify the class was conducted in accordance with OSHA’s guidelines. Trainers face civil and criminal penalties under federal law if reports or certifications are found to have been falsified.”
Trainers are authorized by completing a one-week OSHA trainer course through an OSHA Training Institute Education Center. The trainers are then eligible to teach 10-hour programs that provide basic information to workers and employers about workplace hazards and OSHA, and 30-hour courses in construction, maritime, and general industry safety and health hazards.
The voluntary Outreach Training Program has grown to a national network of more than 16,000 independent trainers eligible to teach workers and employers about workplace hazards and provide OSHA 10-hour course completion cards. The program’s success has prompted some states and cities to legislate a requirement that workers complete training to earn an OSHA 10-hour card as a condition of employment.
NIOSH Looking for Facilities to Provide Site Access for Occupational Safety and Health Research
Are you in the manufacturing or construction industry and concerned about workplace safety and health? NIOSH is looking for partners willing to provide site access for conducting exposure assessment studies for the following agents:
2’,2’’’-dithiobisbenzanilide (DTBBA)—a peptizing agent (plasticizer) for natural and synthetic rubber used to manufacture tires and other solid rubber goods. Workers are potentially exposed to DTBBA by the inhalation and dermal routes during the compounding and mixing process. Contact Steve Wurzelbacher at 513-841-4322 if you would like your facility to participate in these studies.
2-methoxy-4-nitroaniline (2M4Na)—used in dyeing processes in the textile industry, as a chromogenic agent in printing processes, and in making a chemical which has applications in inks and paints. Most exposure occurs during the production, use, and disposal of products containing 2M4Na, especially dye dusts. Contact Steve Wurzelbacher at 513-841-4322 if you would like your facility to participate in these studies.
Diacetyl in food production, contact Brian Curwin at 513-841-4432 if you would like your facility to participate in these studies.
Manganese compounds in welding fumes, contact Kevin Hanley at 513-841-4113 if you would like your facility to participate in these studies.
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