Methylene chloride hazards result in $357K OSHA fine

OSHA spells out its ergonomic enforcement plan

Can an OSHA inspector use the discovery of a series of workplace musculoskeletal disorders at a company to issue fines under the General Duty’Clause (GDC)?

While it’s not quite that easy, OSHA is now officially on the record with what we told you in February (SCA, 2/25/10, p.l): It will use the GDC to issue citations and impose fines over ergonomics.

What's driving Obama's oil drilling plan?

CLIMATE
GREENHOUSE GASES

Don't expect any relief from global warming regulation even though President Obama has joined the "Drill, Baby, Drill" chorus calling for an increase in America's oil-producing  capacity.  Obama has outlined a new energy policy that calls for opening up large tracks of offshore areas to oil and natural gas exploration.

OSHA urged to act on construction hearing standard

 IN AN EMERGENCY, THE ANSWER YOU NEED CAN BE A CLICK AWAY

Could a new OSHA hearing conservation standard be on the way for construction workers?  If some folks have their way, the answer is yes.  For 27 years, OSHA's had an occupational noise standard on the books. But that standard has excluded the construction industry.   During an “OSHA Listens" meeting in Washington, DC, on March 4, groups and experts urged the agency to change that now.

Can an iPhone reduce injuries, save lives?

IN AN EMERGENCY, THE ANSWER YOU NEED CAN BE A CLICK AWAY

You might think the iPhone is mostly for talking, texting and checking your e-mail.  But thanks to a slew of new safety applications for the iPhone, it could also be a lifesaver.
Many of these apps for the iPhone can give you the answers you need to make a crucial safety decision in a split second.  These applications range in price but can be worth it for safety pros on the go. Here's a rundown of a few apps that caught our eye.

Double whammy when it comes to OSHA fines

Watch Out! OSHA penalties are about to go up, even without Congressional approval.  OSHA head David Michaels testified before Congress that the agency will implement internal changes in its penalty policies.

That bit of news came during Michaels' comments on the parts of the bill that would significantly increase OSHA fines and the use of criminal penalties, including prison time for company executive and managers.

What's OSHA's next move?

Agency reveals 3 new targets

• Triple threat: Enforcement, standards, injury logs

Now that the new deputy sheriff has been in town for over three months, what' he targeting?
In a speech to the American Bar Association, 0 HA administrator David Michaels said Labor Secretary Hilda Solis' statement that there is a “new sheriff in town" wasn't just an abstract wish, Rather, it was a stern description of how OSHA is working.
Michaels, the aforementioned deputy, said Solis is pushing OSHA to be more aggressive.
Michaels didn't need much of a push. Even before taking over at OSHA, he'd been a vocal advocate of tougher enforcement and more regulation. Here are his top priorities:

EPA Proposes Adding More Chemicals to Toxics Release Inventory List

First program chemical expansion in more than a decade

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to add 16 chemicals to the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) list of reportable chemicals, the first expansion of the program in more than a decade. Established as part of the Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act (EPCRA), TRI is a publicly available EPA database that contains information on toxic chemical releases and waste management activities reported annually by certain industries as well as federal facilities. The proposal is part of Administrator Lisa P. Jackson’s ongoing efforts to provide communities with more complete information on chemicals.

Two Shell Chemical Companies Agree to Reduce Harmful Emissions Under Comprehensive Clean Air Act Settlements 

Agreements reduce more than 1,450 tons of harmful air emissions annually 

EPA Proposes to Revoke New Source Review Final Rule

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is proposing to revoke a January 2009 rule that changed the way existing industrial facilities combine upcoming construction projects to determine if Clean Air Act permits are needed.

EPA is concerned that the changes made last year to its “aggregation policy” would make the agency’s New Source Review permitting program less effective, allowing facilities to increase emissions that may impact air quality without a thorough review.

EPA Formally Announces Phase-in of Clean Air Act Permitting for Greenhouse Gases

Agency reiterates no stationary source requirements until 2011

WASHINGTON – Under a final decision issued today by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) no stationary sources will be required to get Clean Air Act permits that cover greenhouse gases (GHGs) before January 2011. EPA has pledged to take sensible steps to address the billions of tons of greenhouse gas pollution that threaten Americans’ health and welfare, and is providing time for large industrial facilities and state governments to put in place cost-effective, innovative technologies to control and reduce carbon pollution. Today’s announcement is the first step in EPA’s phased in approach to addressing GHG emissions laid out by Administrator Lisa P. Jackson earlier this month.

Statement of Lisa P. Jackson Administrator, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Legislative Hearing on EPA’s 2011 Budget Proposal
Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works

EPA Increases Transparency of Proposed Regulations

EPA’s Budget Proposal Seeks Efficiencies, Increased Environmental Protection

Budget proposal aligned with Administrator Jackson’s key priorities

EPA Increases Transparency on Chemical Risk Information

Action part of continued comprehensive reform of toxic substance laws

Training solutions for off-site workers

Steam and hot water severely burn 3 workers

OSHA issues $1.6 million fine after teen worker dies

Hazardous Combination: Noise & Gas

IT MAY BE NECESSARY TO PROTECT MORE WORKERS FROM NOISE

EPA Strengthens Smog Standard

Proposed standards, strictest to date, will protect the health of all Americans, especially children

WASHINGTON – The United States Environmental Protection Agency today proposed the strictest health standards to date for smog. Smog, also known as ground-level ozone, is linked to a number of serious health problems, ranging from aggravation of asthma to increased risk of premature death in people with heart or lung disease. Ozone can even harm healthy people who work and play outdoors. The agency is proposing to replace the standards set by the previous administration, which many believe were not protective enough of human health.  Click here to read the entire blog

EPA Makes Announcement on Two Proposed West Virginia Mountaintop Coal Mines

EPA Analysis Shows Reduction in 2008 Toxic Chemical Releases

Can We Stop Cap-and-Trade and Greenhouse Gas Regulations?

Check those logs! OSHA on warpath over paperwork accuracy

New study says companies under-report injuries

Heads up! The Secretary of Labor says OSHA will be taking strong enforcement action when companies under-report injuries and illnesses.

Duke Energy to Spend $93 Million to Resolve Clean Air Act Violations

As EPA doubles criminal cases, watch out for these 4 targets

Is the Obama Administration going too far… or is it about time that the government crack down on businesses for EPA and OSHA violations? Vote and discuss here.

Largest Fine Ever Collected from Concrete Firm

After 1st problem found, EPA cops check the entire company.

We only sent a Compliance Alert out to our Ready Mixed Concrete subscribers for this article. However, this is a good lesson for all industries. When EPA and OSHA show up on your doorstep, they are typically looking at one or two areas of compliance. If those items seem to be in good order, they typically won’t hang around looking for a problem. However, if they find problems in those areas of focus, they tend to get out the rubber gloves… “Moooon River”. Just a little inside joke for you Chevy Chase fans.

If anyone has any story to support or discredit this pattern, please share it with everyone on the comments here.

EPA Alerts W.Va. and Ohio Officials of Potential Concerns about AEP Coal Ash Impoundment

EPA Proposes New Pesticide Labeling to Control Spray Drift and Protect Human Health

Forklift Practical??

EPA unleashes its cops to target these 10 trouble spots

New OSHA Nominee Getting Involved in Gun Control??

OSHA Cites, fines International Paper Plant

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued 37 citations and $123,000 in fines against International Paper’s paper mill in Augusta, Ga., after a worker was struck by a timber loading crane and killed at the plant in February.

Oral Based Drug Tests at the Workplace

How the internet changes safety training