The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced Nov. 10 that methylene chloride presents an unreasonable risk to worker health when evaluated under its conditions of use. EPA’s revised risk determination revealed that methylene chloride presents an unreasonable risk to the health of workers, occupational non-users, consumers and bystanders. Exposure leads to neurotoxicity, liver problems, cancer […]
Cyber attacks may not seem like something safety professionals need to add to their list of concerns, but the truth is they are a growing threat for U.S. employers and their workers. In April 2022, five major food distributors in the U.S. and Canada were destroyed by explosions and fires with 20 more having related, […]
Oil and gas extraction workers are more likely to encounter risky driving events due to long shifts, lengthy commutes and fatigue, according to research by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). A lack of employer policies in these areas were also associated with a greater likelihood of risky driving, the research report […]
The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) released a new safety video Oct. 27 about the fire, explosions and hydrofluoric acid (HF) release at the Philadelphia Energy Solutions refinery. This incident occurred at the refinery in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on June 21, 2019, causing the release of more than 5,000 pounds of highly toxic […]
A new investigation report recommends that refineries find safer alternatives to replace the hydrofluoric acid (HF) alkylation process that led to the 2019 Philadelphia Energy Solutions explosion and fire. The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) wants the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to require refineries to use safer alternatives to HF alkylation when […]
The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) released updates Oct. 3 on four ongoing investigations into chemical releases and explosions. These updates aren’t final investigation reports and still lack information regarding the actual causes of the incidents that are under investigation. The four updated investigations are: Watson Grinding and Manufacturing in Houston, Texas […]
Deficiencies in a company’s hot work policies and procedures led to the 2016 flash fire and explosion at the Sunoco Nederland, Texas, crude oil facility, which resulted in burn injuries to seven workers. The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) released its final report on the incident Sept. 28, detailing how the company, […]
Cal/OSHA posted new guidance on what employers can do to protect workers from monkeypox (MPX). The guidance applies to workplaces covered by the state’s Aerosol Transmissible Diseases (ATD) standard, including healthcare facilities, medical transport, public heath services and police. MPX is a viral infection that can spread from infected humans, animals and materials contaminated with […]
Nearly half of U.S. employers report that they’re unprepared to prevent and respond to workplace violence, so the National Safety Council developed a new report and playbook to address this. In 2020, the Bureau of Labor Statistics found nearly one in six work-related fatalities stemmed from violent incidents. Further, additional research shows the threat workplace […]
