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Meat Processors Receive Conflicting Messages from Federal Government

In January 2024, the EPA proposed new effluent limitations guidelines (ELG) that would bring meat and poultry processing (MPP) facilities under EPA authority by requiring MPP facilities to add expensive water filtration systems to comply with the proposed regulation. According to an EPA Fact Sheet on the proposed rule, pollutants discharged from MPP facilities include […]

NIOSH: Men Three Times More Likely to Die of Workplace Homicide

Men are three times more likely than women to die of workplace homicides, according to findings recently published by National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) researchers. The institute highlighted its findings in the October edition of its eNews newsletter. NIOSH researchers analyzed data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ (BLS) Census of Fatal […]

Essential Components of an Effective Emergency Response Plan for Workplace Injuries

As a medical equipment specialist, I’ve seen firsthand how a well-prepared workplace response plan can make the difference between life and death in an emergency. If you are looking to ensure your team is ready for anything, this guide will provide you with all the necessary insights. It will cover all the essential components of […]

Faces of EHS: John Branan on the Promise of Safety Technology

Some industry veterans may be wary of new technology, but not John Branan, corporate vice president of health, safety, environment, and engineering at Orbia. He said he’s “encouraged” by how quickly safety technology is growing and looks forward to it playing a larger role in the field. Branan has over 35 years of experience in […]

Ready For OSHA? Navigating Rights, Responsibilities, and Beyond

Understanding OSHA Inspections in Greater Detail As an employer, it’s crucial to have a comprehensive understanding of OSHA inspections, from the reasons for their occurrence to the potential consequences of non-compliance. This article will explore these topics, and more, to help you maintain a safe, compliant workplace. Reasons for OSHA Inspections While the primary reasons […]

OSHA Reaches Settlement Agreement in 2019 Explosion, Fire

Chemical manufacturer AB Specialty Silicones LLC has agreed to pay $1.3 million in penalties in connection with a May 2019 explosion and fire at its Waukegan, Illinois, plant that claimed the lives of four workers, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced October 2. Following OSHA’s investigation, it proposed penalties totaling $1,591,176 for four […]

Nebraska Grain Cooperative Facing $535K OSHA Fine

Legacy Cooperative, a Nebraska grain cooperative, faces a $536,965 Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) fine for two willful and 22 serious violations, the agency announced October 3. OSHA initiated an inspection as part of its local emphasis program (LEP) for grain-handling facilities in the state. Agency inspectors identified life-threatening hazards at the employer’s Hemingford, […]

OSHA Completes Regional Office Restructuring

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced on October 1 it completed the restructuring of its regional offices. OSHA’s most significant change is the creation of a Birmingham, Alabama, regional office responsible for employer assistance, inspection, and enforcement in Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, and the Florida Panhandle. Kentucky and Tennessee are the […]

Federal Judge Rules EPA Must Review Fluoride Levels

On September 26, 2024, California Federal District Court Judge Edward Chen ruled in favor of environmental groups in Food & Water Watch, Inc., et al. v. EPA. In his ruling, the judge stated, “Plaintiffs have proven, by a preponderance of the evidence, that water fluoridation at the level of 0.7 mg/L—the prescribed optimal level of […]

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EPA Extends PFAS TSCA Reporting Deadline

On September 5, 2024, the EPA published a direct final rule granting a deadline extension for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) reporting requirements under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Section 8 (a)(7). The reporting period was scheduled to begin on November 12, 2024, but the final rule delays the beginning of the reporting period […]