More employers are renting high-end, expensive atmospheric monitoring equipment to reduce capital spending costs, according to instrument vendors exhibiting here at the American Industrial Hygiene Conference and Expo in Salt Lake City.
After more than 20 years in the development process, the Confined Spaces in Construction Standard has finally been released by OSHA. Companies now have less than 90 days to comply with the Standard’s effective date of August 3, as there is no phase-in period for the provisions.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration today issued a final rule to increase protections for construction workers in confined spaces. “This rule will provide construction workers with protections already afforded to workers in manufacturing and general industry, with some differences tailored to the construction industry,” said OSHA chief David Michaels, who predicted that it will prevent 800 serious injuries and save five lives a year.
The White House has reviewed a draft of the rule and signed off on OSHA’s proposal – returning it to the agency with several undisclosed recommendations, according to Aaron Trippler, government affairs director for the American Industrial Hygiene Association.
Acute exposure to welding fume and gases can result in eye, nose and throat irritation, dizziness and nausea. Workers in the area who experience these symptoms should leave the area immediately, seek fresh air and obtain medical attention.
OSHA inspectors acting on a complaint found asbestos-related violations at A.M. Castle & Co., a wholesale metal and steel stock distributor in Franklin Park, Illinois.
No one should have to sacrifice their life for their livelihood, because a nation built on the dignity of work must provide safe working conditions for its people."
Confined spaces containing potentially hazardous atmosphere need to be tested prior to entry, and on-going ventilation and testing procedures must be utilized to ensure that the space remains safe for occupancy for the entire duration of the entry.
