Hazardous Materials Managers News

Kent Hatcher’s article “Manual Material Handling: Why Do We Need Limits?”, from the latest issue of the Ergonomics Practice Specialty’s publication Interface, highlights the importance of building a conceptual bridge between the athletic performance of an Olympian and the work performance of an industrial “athlete.”

Hatcher advises that corporate ergonomists and plant safety professionals

OSHA has decided to extend its temporary enforcement measures in residential construction for 3 more months. This will extend the measures until Dec. 15, 2012. According to the agency, the enforcement rules include priority free on-site compliance aid, penalty reductions, rules to ensure consistency and increased outreach. OSHA also states that it will continue to work withe employers to ensure

The
health and safety techniques developed during the 2012 Olympic build can be mimicked in other construction projects to prevent injuries and fatalities, according
to a recent study by the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH)
and the U.K. Health and Safety Executive. From the findings, IOSH identified
best practices in five key areas that could be used in construction

This Labor Day, NIOSH
Director John Howard takes time to thank working men and women for all that
they do:

“We celebrate
the pride and dedication of our working men and women. Two hundred years ago,
those qualities in the American work force propelled the growth of our young
nation’s trans-Atlantic trade economy. In the last century, they were
indispensable in the success of our manufacturing

In the article, “Employee Onboarding: Where Safety & HR Meet” from the latest issue of ASSE’s Human Resources (HR) Branch’s publication HR Solutions, Trent Shuford explains how employee “onboarding” goes beyond standard new hire procedures to educate and integrate employees into an organization by introducing them to policies, procedures, personnel, rules, traditions and anything else that

According to an EPA news release, the Obama Administration finalized new standards that will increase fuel efficiency for cars and light-duty trucks to 54.5 mpg by model year 2025. The new standards, along with previous standards, will almost double the fuel efficiency of new cars compared to current cars.

"This historic agreement builds on the progress we’ve already made to save families money

ASSE has updated its fact sheet, which provides key information about the Society and all it has to offer. The fact sheet is a quick reference guide for anyone interested in the organization and occupational safety and health. Key topics include professional development, practices and standards, ASSE publications, membership and additional information. The resource also provides information on

The Voluntary Protection Programs Participants’ Association (VPPPA) National Board of Directors has appointed a new executive director: Susan J. Sikes. She succeeds R. Davis Layne, former VPPPA executive director, who retired from the position in July.

"In our search for a replacement for Davis Layne our attention quickly turned to someone all of us have known for numerous years, but who also

In preparation of Hurricane
Isaac, Schneider
Electric warns businesses to take extreme caution when dealing with electrical
equipment. The following precautions help ensure employee safety and avoid
costly damage both to physical equipment and the financial losses of a
prolonged shutdown:

Electrical
equipment that has been submerged or come into contact with water must be
replaced,

In recognition of Labor Rights Week, Aug. 27-31, 2012, Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis reminds everyone of the week’s theme, "Promoting Labor Rights is Everyone’s Responsibility." Solis says the week "underscores the the importance of partnerships between the Labor Department and other countries to educate migrant workers and their employers about U.S. labor laws."

In support of science, technology, engineering and math
(STEM) education, Bechtel is sponsoring
nine teachers and five students participating in a pair of 2012 Ocean Exploration Trust programs that
promote STEM education to a global audience.

The Educator-at-Sea Program and the Honors Research Program
combine classroom learning with ocean exploration and provide students with an opportunity
to

In the wake of Tropical Storm Isaac,
poison centers are urging people to be weary of carbon monoxide poisoning
related to portable generators, says Cynthia Lewis-Younger, director of the
Florida Poison Information Center in Tampa. Referred to as a “silent killer,”
carbon monoxide has no odors or symptoms that signal a problem. When generators are placed close to
homes, in garages or outside

In an effort to lower the alarming number of
injuries and fatalities in the construction industry each year, ASSE is teaming
up with OSHA and NIOSH to support a new Fall Prevention Campaign.  The national campaign will provide updated prevention
information and training materials on falls from roofs, ladders and scaffolds. The
literature will be translated into seven different languages and

On the Historical Hurricane Tracks website, from National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), users can enter their zip code that brings up a map of the location that has more than 150 years of Atlantic hurricane tracking data. This data includes cyclone data, a history of cyclones, dating back to 1958 and global hurricane data dating back to 1842. Additionally, NOAA says the site provides

Eighty?two percent of young adult drivers (16?24) have read
a standard text message while driving, according to a national survey conducted
by the Ad Council. The State Attorneys General and Consumer Protection agencies,
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Ad Council
launched a public service advertising (PSA) campaign aimed at young adults to
discourage them from

It’s the start of back-to-school season, which means both
children and adults face a greater risk for illnesses. Cintas offers tips for
workers to stay healthy and prevent illness from spreading at this germ-filled
time of year. 

Take medicine at the first signs of sickness. This will
help prevent common cold symptoms, such as coughing and sneezing, from contaminating
work areas.
Avoid

An infographic is available from 3M to help simplify the ANSI/ISEA 201-2012 standard for Classification of Insulating Apparel Used in Cold Work Environments. The standard helps protect workers in extreme weather and is a tool to help employers select the appropriate workwear for their specific needs.

3M developed the infographic as an easy-to-understand how-to guide that breaks down the standard

ASSE has received reaccreditation from International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) to continue to provide continuing education units. The renewal period extends for 5 years and covers all ASSE programs offered or created within those years. Such programs include SeminarFest, ASSE’s annual Professional Development Conference and Exposition, and continuing education

A combination of sitting and
standing throughout the work day can minimize the potential for adverse health consequences,
according to Humantech’s Blake McGowan, CPE. Research
shows that sitting for long periods of time can result in
higher rates of cardiovascular disease, obesity, diabetes and
more.  However, studies
also show
that prolonged standing can lead to work-related
MSDs in the legs

International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has revamped its Online Browsing Platform. The agency improved it’s website to provide users with a "simpler, faster and better way to use ISO standards and publications."

Users can search and access more than 1,000 ISO standards and their translations (if applicable), codes, symbols, and terms an definitions. The agency reports additional

The FDA is asking all consumers to report any bad reaction to cosmetics, whether that be a negative reaction to makeup or a personal hygiene product. Though
most personal care products are safe, some cause problems, even fatal ones, and
that’s when the the agency needs to get involved. “Even though these products are
widely used, most don’t require FDA approval before they’re sold in stores,

DOT’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has issued a safety bulletin that reminds motorcoach companies to take action to prevent tire blowouts and safety risks. The agency, along with National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, has examined recent incidents involving blowouts on passenger buses, due to the exceeding tire weight limits and overloading. Risks may be avoided by

OSHA has issued a direct final
rule applying the requirements of the August 2010 cranes and derricks in
construction standard to demolition work and underground construction. This
rule, which hopes to protect workers from hazards associated with hoisting
equipment, is already in use by other construction sectors. It will become
effective November 15, 2012, unless the
agency receives a

NFPA and International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) have released a 17-page document, available for download, that offers guidance on how to respond to unwanted fire alarms. The "Fire Service Guide to Reducing Unwanted Fire Alarms" provides knowledge for firefighters, fire officers and fire prevention personnel on how alarm systems and devices work and what could cause them to go off when no

Take a brief Red Cross quiz to see if you’re ready for a disaster. For other preparedness tips, click here.

A report from U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and Lawrence Berkley National Laboratory discusses  "strong growth" during 2011 in the U.S. wind energy industry. The report says that by the end of 2011, wind power capacity reached 47,000 megawatts and has since increased to 50,000 megawatts, which is enough to power 12 million homes each year.

DOE also reports that as technology for wind power

ASSE is accepting nominations for qualified professional members to serve on its Board of Directions and/or Regional Operating Committees in the 2013 Society Elections. This is a great opportunity to volunteer your time and talents to the Society. Nominations are due Aug. 15, 2012.

In addition to Regional/Area positions, the following are up for election:

Senior Vice President
Vice

ASSE’s Virtual Classroom will feature a webcast on the
application NFPA 70E to real-world situations.  Speaker Daryn Lewellyn of Lewellyn Technology
will discuss what employers and safety managers can do to keep employees safe
from electrical hazards at the workplace. The online class will be held on
Wednesday, Aug. 15 at 11:00 AM CENTRAL. A live Q&A with the speaker will follow. Click here to

OSHA has issued a revised directive providing enforcement guidance for inspections of longshoring operations and at marine terminals, also known as the marine cargo handling industry. The directive  addresses updated requirements for PPE and the safe operation of vertical tandem lifts (VTLs). In 2010, BLS data show that seven workers died and more than 2,900 were injured performing marine cargo

CSB announced it is investigating the recent fire at the Chevron oil refinery in Richmond, CA, which took place on Monday, Aug. 6, 2012. In what the agency is calling "the most serious U.S. refinery incidents in recent years," no lives were lost, however, many workers were engulfed in a vapor cloud created from a combustible hydrocarbon liquid or "gas-oil" leaked. "These workers might have been

Although the concept of telecommuting has existed for more than 35 years, it has only recently gained popularity as companies look to telecommuting as a way to improve their corporate sustainability programs and to reduce their carbon footprint. However, according to Jessica K. Ellison’s article, “Ergonomics for Telecommuters & Other Remote Workers” from the Vol. 2 No. 1 issue of the Ergonomics

The hotel, restaurant and catering sector creates many job around the world. In Europe, this sector employs more than 7.8 million people, and features a wide range of tasks and on-the-job risks. To help employers and employees recognize and address these risks, European Agency for Safety and Health at Work has released “Protecting Workers in Hotels, Restaurants and Catering.” The report

When it comes to hearing loss, there is a lot of room for improvement,
says 3M Business Director Brian McGinley. Understanding the source of hearing
loss and what unsafe decibel levels are can help combat the situation, he adds.
Noise levels above 85 decibels (dB) are classified as dangerously high and
require hearing protection. Here are some examples of noise levels:

               —  

U.S. employers are increasingly relying on incentives to
drive participation in health programs and encouraging workers and their
families to take better care of themselves, according to findings of a survey by
Aon Hewitt.

The survey of nearly 2,000 U.S. employers found that 84% offer
incentives to employees for participating in a health risk questionnaire (HRQ)
and 64% offer an incentive for

The next phase of DOE’s energy-efficient lighting
legislation went into effect last month, leaving some businesses uncertain
on how to best proceed in adopting energy-efficient lighting. Is your company ready
for changes to lighting laws? Grainger
has developed a “Test-Your-Readiness” questionnaire to help businesses assess
how well they are prepared to adapt to DOE legislation:

Did you know

NIOSH has proposed a study
on the effectiveness and cost-benefit of OSH interventions to prevent
musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) among workers in the manufacturing sector. The study will focus on two intervention strategies for reducing
MSD symptoms and pain:

      1. Articulating spring-tensioned tool support
device that unloads from the worker the weight of the tool that would

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) data from 2010 shows that pedestrian fatalities increased by 4%. The agency urges the public to "walk with care," use crosswalks wherever possible and urges drives to be conscious of pedestrians at all times. Safety recommendations for both pedestrians and drivers are available on NHTSA’s website, as are additional statistics and information.

When a fluorescent bulb breaks, mercury in the glass tube is released and mercury vapor enters the air. A small amount of liquid mercury that falls to the ground will continue to evaporate, forming a vapor. Breathing this vapor or skin contact with mercury create exposures. OSHA has published two new educational materials to help protect workers against mercury exposure in fluorescent bulbs:

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Just because a
disaster has been controlled, does not mean the area is safe, warns the CDC.
Carbon monoxide poisoning, contaminated food and water, and electrical injuries
are just a few of the many harmful agents that accompany a catastrophe. Click here to read the
Center’s tips for keeping safe after a disaster. 

MSHA’s recent hazard alert focuses on the dangers of unexpected conveyor belt start-ups. According to the agency, three miners lost their lives in the past 20 months when a belt conveyor started because its drive motor was not deenergized, locked and tagged. MSHA’s alert provides best practices to avoid such fatalities, some of which include training miners on general tasks assigned, providing a