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Confined Space Attendants: Proper Training is Critical
Confined space attendants serve as lifelines to safety for confined space entrants. That’s makes the attendant’s job a crucial responsibility—one that only well-trained, reliable, and highly motivated employees can handle. Confined space attendants’ primary responsibility is the safety of the entrants. That means attendants must: Be knowledgeable about all the potential hazards of the confined […]
EPA to Withdraw Proposed Determination for Pebble Mine
Like targets in a shooting gallery, the Trump administration continues to take aim at the most significant environmental decisions by the Obama administration. In the latest action, the EPA announced a settlement agreement with the Pebble Limited Partnership (PLP), the consortium seeking to build a copper and gold ore mine in the headwaters of Bristol […]
New Climate Change and Health Document Includes Effects on Workers
The potential health effects of climate change on workers is now available in a new report just released by the U.S. Global Change Research Program. The report, U.S. Global Change Research Program Climate and Health Assessment provides a comprehensive overview of the potential health effects of climate change across the United States. Included in the […]
NIOSH Recommends Exposure Limits, Controls for Flavoring Chemicals
Have you enjoyed a tasty cup of flavored coffee or delicious hot buttery popcorn lately? That rich flavor probably came from an extracted and concentrated form of one or more naturally occurring chemical substances—substances that, in their pure chemical form, have the very chemical-sounding names of diacetyl and 2,3-pentanedione.
CourtWatch: EPA Sued Over Lack of Updates to Wastewater Regulations
In April 2023, a coalition of 13 environmental groups filed a lawsuit against the EPA, alleging the Agency has violated the Clean Water Act (CWA) by failing to make mandatory updates to wastewater pollution regulations for seven industry sectors. The suit asks the court to direct the EPA to review its decision to not revise […]
Amputation Results in Six-Figure Fine for Metal Stamping Company
A worker at Huntington Beach manufacturing company lost three fingers in January 2017 while manually loading products into a punch press. As a result, Cal/OSHA has issued seven citations against the metal and die stamping company, including one classified as willful-serious, carrying $142,715 in proposed penalties.
Q&A: Fume Hood in a Small Room
Is it OK to place a fume hood that is 78” by 29” in a small room 113” by 131”? This room has a front and back door that leads to another room. It’s like a holding room. There seems to be enough room for someone to walk through and exit. I’m concerned about safety […]
Preventing Bloodborne Pathogen Exposures
Although workplace exposures to bloodborne pathogens are less common outside the healthcare field, almost any worker has the potential to be exposed under the certain circumstances—for example, when providing first aid. Make sure your workers know how to prevent such exposures. The best way to prevent exposure to bloodborne pathogens is to practice “universal precautions.” […]
Is it safe to say that the RCRA regulations on recyclable materials from which precious metals are reclaimed have not been affected by the 2015 DSW Final Rule?
The 2015 Definition of Solid Waste Final Rule (2015 Final Rule) does not significantly affect the recycling exemption from full RCRA Subtitle C regulation found at 40 CFR 266.70 for precious metals being reclaimed in accordance with the 40 CFR 266.70 provisions. When in the process of revising the 2008 DSW rule, however, EPA did […]