NEWS ITEMS

COMBUSTIBLE DUST

The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board said that OSHA needs a more comprehensive set of combustible dust regulations. The CSB states that the existing standards lack clear definitions of what kinds of dust are hazardouse and only address limited aspects of how to control those hazards.

-Courtesy of Professional Safety, Journal of American Society of Safety Engineers, September 2008 edition.

WORKER PROTECTIONS

According to the AFL-CIO annual report, "Death on the Job: The Toll of Neglect", more workers were killed on the job in 2006 than in 2005. Employers who were found in violation of federal safety laws in fatality cases are paying as little as $750 in penalties for each death. According to the report, each day in 2006, 16 workers were fatally injured on the job and more than 11,200 were hurt or made sick.

-Courtesy of Professional Safety, Journal of American Society of Safety Engineers, June 2008 edition.

OSHA DIRECTIVES

OSHA is expanding its inspection program to three categories in the general industry sector-landscaping and horticultural services, oil and gas field services and logging. Enforcement officers will focus on the following in each category:

• In the landscape and horticultural industry, 24.6% of injuries are caused by struck-by hazards from overhead work such as tree trimming, hardscape construction and flying objects from materials such as brick and stone.
• In the oil and gas drilling and services industry, the predominant hazards are falls from elevation and struck-by hazards from objects such as falling or moving pipes, spinning chains, and tools or debris dropped from elevated locations.
• In logging, 38.6% of injuries are caused by falling trees and limbs, rolling logs and spring poles.

-Courtesy of Professional Safety, Journal of American Society of Safety Engineers, June 2008 edition.

AIR QUALITY/LEAD

EPA has issued a proposal that would strengthen air quality standards for lead in the US. According to the EPA, about 1,300 tons of lead are emitted in the air each year from sources such as smelters, iron and steel foundaries and general aviation gasoline.

-Courtesy of Professional Safety, Journal of American Society of Safety Engineers, June 2008 edition.

CONSUMER NEWS

Product Recalls

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has issued an alert on the Simplicity Bassinets 3-in-1 and 4-in-1 convertible close sleeper models as they pose a strangulation hazard. The company that purchased Simplicity's assets is not cooperating with the government and recalling the products. Wal-Mart, Toys R Us, Kmart, Big Lots, Target and J.C. Penney have agreed to stop the sale of these products. Please visit www.cpsc.gov for more information on model numbers.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has recalled "Taggies Strollin' Along Stroller Activity Bars" as certain materials can come detach, becoming a choking hazard. This product was sold at specialty toy store nationwide and online through July, 2008.