A 45-year-old lost part of three fingers when his left hand caught in a table saw at a Cordova company that fabricates reusable shipping containers. Doctors reattached the fingers, but had to amputate the tip of his left middle finger. The employee has been unable to return to work.
An OSHA inspection found that his employer, Material Control Systems, Inc., failed to follow safety practices that could have prevented the June 17 amputation.
"The injury could permanently affect this man's ability to earn a living," said Thomas Bielema, OSHA's area director in Peoria. "Had Material Control Systems installed machine guards to prevent the worker's hand from contacting the saw, he would not have suffered. Each year, thousands of workers are injured on -the -job because their employers fail to follow safety rules."
How to Implement OSHA’s Globally Harmonized Hazard Communication Standard (GHS)
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, safety data sheet (formerly called “material safety data sheet” or MSDS), and written hazard communication plan must be revised to meet the new standard. Worker training must be updated 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 safety data sheets.
New Exclusions for Solvent Recycling and Hazardous Secondary Materials
EPA’s new final rule on the definition of solid waste creates new opportunities for waste recycling outside the scope of the full hazardous waste regulations. This rule, which went into effect on July 13, 2015, streamlines the regulatory burden for wastes that are legitimately recycled.
The first of the two exclusions is an exclusion from the definition of solid waste for high-value solvents transferred from one manufacturer to another for the purpose of extending the useful life of the original solvent by keeping the materials in commerce to reproduce a commercial grade of the original solvent product.
The second, and more wide reaching of the two exclusions, is a revision of the existing hazardous secondary material recycling exclusion. This exclusion allows you to recycle, or send off-site for recycling, virtually any hazardous secondary material. Provided you meet the terms of the exclusion, the material will no longer be hazardous waste.
Learn how to take advantage of these exclusions at Environmental Resource Center’s live webcast where you will learn:
- Which of your materials qualify under the new exclusions
- What qualifies as a hazardous secondary material
- Which solvents can be remanufactured, and which cannot
- What is a tolling agreement
- What is legitimate recycling
- Generator storage requirements
- What documentation you must maintain
- Requirements for off-site shipments
- Training and emergency planning requirements
- If it is acceptable for the recycler to be outside the US
Columbus RCRA and DOT Training
San Antonio RCRA and DOT Training
Cary 8-Hour HAZWOPER, DOT, and RCRA Refresher Training
Cal/OSHA Issues High Heat Advisory for California as Temperatures Soar
Cal/OSHA is urging all employers throughout the entire state to protect their outdoor workers from heat illness. The National Weather Service has issued high heat advisories and excessive heat warnings for portions of Northern and Southern California. The increasing high pressure will result in very dry conditions with temperatures climbing to over 100 degrees inland.
“When temperatures rise to high, potentially dangerous levels, it’s imperative that outdoor workers are protected from heat illness,” said Christine Baker, Director of the Department of Industrial Relations (DIR). The Division of Occupational Safety and Health, known as Cal/OSHA, is a division of DIR.
Heat advisories and excessive heat warnings are issued by the National Weather Service when weather conditions exist that can cause heat illness, which can be life threatening. California’s heat regulation requires all employers with outdoor workers to protect outdoor workers by taking these basic steps:
- Train all employees and supervisors about heat illness prevention.
- Provide enough fresh water so that each employee can drink at least 1 quart, or four 8-ounce glasses, of water per hour, and encourage them to do so
- Provide access to shade and encourage employees to take a cool-down rest in the shade for at least 5 minutes. They should not wait until they feel sick to cool down.
“Workers can die when temperatures are elevated,” said Cal/OSHA Chief Juliann Sum. “Employers are responsible for ensuring their outdoor workers have enough shade, water, and rest to prevent heat illness. DIR and Cal/OSHA have resources available to help employers comply with the requirements.”
When temperatures reach 95 degrees, special “high heat” procedures are also required. These procedures include:
- Observing workers for signs and symptoms of heat illness
- Providing close supervision of workers in their first 14 days of employment to ensure acclimatization
- Having effective communication systems in place to be able to call for emergency assistance if necessary
Cal/OSHA will inspect outdoor worksites in industries such as agriculture, construction, landscaping, and others throughout the heat season. Through partnerships with various employer and worker organizations in different industries, Cal/OSHA will also provide consultation, outreach, and training on heat illness prevention.
Cal/OSHA’s award-winning heat illness prevention campaign, the first of its kind in the nation, includes enforcement of heat regulations as well as outreach and training for California’s employers and workers.
Wegmans Food Markets Inc. Fined over $188,000 after Repeat Hazards Led to Injuries
According to OSHA, recurring hazards at Wegmans 1500 Brooks Ave. store in Rochester, New York—and injuries to two workers in the store's bakery—suggest a need for the supermarket chain to address workplace safety for its employees.
In March 2015, a sanitation crewmember lost his fingertip when it caught in the pinch point of an operating conveyor that he was cleaning. A month later, a mechanic sustained a first-degree burn on his wrist when steam released while he attempted to repair a valve.
OSHA cited Wegmans on September 1 for three repeated and two serious violations. Proposed fines total $188,200.
"If Wegmans had used proper safeguards, these preventable injuries would not have happened," said Michael Scime, OSHA's area director in Buffalo. "The company must take corrective action at all stores to ensure that hazards, such as these—and the injuries that result—are eliminated."
In the steam burn incident, the company failed to develop a procedure to lockout the valve supplying steam to the pipe.
OSHA cited the company for inadequate hand and face protection for the employees who worked on the steam valve, with fines amounting to $13,200 for the two serious violations.
Reser's Fine Foods Fined over $70,000 for Ammonia Process Safety Violations
OSHA opened an investigation at the company, after receiving a complaint about an ammonia leak. Inspectors found that about eight lb of ammonia were released March 3, 2015, from a compressor seal leak at the facility. Emergency evacuation procedures were initiated. One employee was taken to a local medical facility for observation but was able to return to work later that day.
These include lack of training, failing to conduct periodic evaluations of processes and update procedures, and poor record keeping. OSHA also found the company failed to properly mark doors for emergency exit and did not adequately protect workers from operating machinery parts during service and maintenance.
"Ammonia can cause immediate damage to skin, eyes, and lungs," said Judy Freeman, OSHA's area director in Wichita. "Refrigeration is essential in the food industry, but the dangers of ammonia in the workplace are entirely preventable if employers follow the right procedures."
Proposed penalties total $71,700.
Mason Well Service’s Fire Kills 3 Workers
An Upton County, Texas oil rig inferno killed family members Arturo Martinez Sr., Arturo Martinez Jr., and Rogelio Salgado in March 2015 as they worked to install a blowout preventer, which seals, controls, and monitors a rig.
After the fire, OSHA opened an investigation. OSHA cited employer Mason Well Service of Odessa, on September 8 for one repeated and five serious workplace violations. The agency determined that the company failed to prevent contact between an ignition source and flammable liquids and gases, and did not ensure workers wore personal hydrogen sulfide monitors and flame-retardant clothing.
Parsley Energy in Midland owned the well and contracted Mason to install a blowout preventer.
"This is a heartbreaking and senseless case," said Elizabeth Linda Routh, OSHA's area director in Lubbock. "Though the fines for the serious violations are the maximum amount allowed by law, no dollar amount can ease the loss felt by family and friends."
Arkansas to Hold Amputation Prevention Stand-Down
Amputations are debilitating workplace injuries that often happen when workers must operate mechanical machinery without the proper guards or training.
To educate employers and workers on preventing these injuries, OSHA’s Little Rock Area Office will launch a 16-day Arkansas Amputation Prevention Stand-Down from September 14–29.
OSHA, the Arkansas Department of Labor, the University of Texas at Arlington, and Northwest Arkansas Community College will host a free stand-down event with activities, demonstrations, and training, such as how to use machine guarding equipment properly. The event will take place on September 15 from 1 to 4 p.m. CDT at Northwest Arkansas Community College, Shewmaker Center, Wal-Mart Auditorium, Room B102, 1100 SE Eagle Way in Bentonville.
"No worker should ever have to experience this type of debilitating injury. During the stand-down, we aim to help employers identify and eliminate hazards that could lead to serious harm," said John Hermanson, OSHA's regional administrator in Dallas.
"We're hoping employers and workers will come away from this event with a better understanding of amputation hazards and how to correct them before they cause a permanent, debilitating injury," said Carlos Reynolds, OSHA's area director in Little Rock.
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