Chemical industry - Articles - Page 10

Newest way to study environmental health: wristbands

Silicone accessories go beyond trendy causes

April 1, 2014

For some time now, wristbands in various colors have been worn to show the wearer’s embrace of certain causes, like the fight against cancer or the need to end cruelty to animals. A new wristband could help scientists determine the potential disease risks of exposure to substances like pesticides. The project was reported recently in the American Cancer Society’s (ACS) journal Environmental Science & Technology.

OSHA joins forces with fertilizer industry to spread word about chemical safety

February 11, 2014

With the devastating April 2013 explosion in West, Texas still fresh in the minds of Americans, OSHA is hoping that a just-initiated partnership with the Agricultural Retailers Association and The Fertilizer Institute will help prevent future tragedies involving ammonium nitrate – the culprit in the West, Texas catastrophe.

Vinyl acetate hazards get Connecticut manufacturer PSM citations

Issues ID’d in 2012 report still not resolved

January 24, 2014

OSHA has cited StanChem Inc. for 13 serious violations of workplace safety standards at its East Berlin, Conn., manufacturing plant. The manufacturer of specialty coatings and polymers faces a total of $55,300 in proposed fines following an inspection by OSHA's Hartford Area Office.

Flood of lawsuits, not clean water, in wake of W. Virginia chemical spill

U.S. attorney is investigating company’s actions

January 15, 2014

The company responsible for the chemical spill that caused the loss of water service to thousands of West Virginia residents is the target of 18 lawsuits – so far – and a temporary restraining order that prohibits it from destroying or removing evidence from its facility.

All about OSHA process safety reform

Steve Arendt

January 9, 2014

As a result of perceived poor industry process safety performance over the past decade, and due to recent notable accidents (West, TX and Richmond, CA), the White House issued Executive Order 13650 - Improving Chemical Facility Safety and Security on August 1, 2013. The EO set up an OSHA/EPA/DHS Working Group to develop action plans over the next six months.

NJ fireworks firm fails to keep track of hazmats

No emergency exit plan for workers, either

December 5, 2013

OSHA has cited pyrotechnics manufacturer and fireworks display firm Garden State Fireworks for 12 safety violations, after an inspection in May under its Process Safety Management Covered Chemical Facilities National Emphasis Program

Company fined $2+ million for failing to tell workers about chemical risks

The issue: Hexavalent chromium exposure

November 20, 2013

One of the largest manufacturers of chromium chemicals in the world has been ordered to pay a $2,571,800 for failing to disclose information about the health risks of hexavalent chromium exposure to its workers.

Pioneer in chemical process safety dies

CSB: His lifetime of work has saved workers’ lives

November 7, 2013

The U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) is vowing to try and emulate the legacy of Dr. Trevor Kletz, a leading authority on chemical process safety who passed away recently.

Chemistry industry says OSHA safety tools are “too narrow”

ACC urges agency to get stakeholder input

October 31, 2013

The American Chemistry Council (ACC) is taking issue with an online tool developed by OSHA to help employers assess the relative safety of potential alternatives for hazardous chemicals. While the ACC said it welcomed OSHA’s recent launch of a website making it easier to access up-to-date information on Permissible Exposure Limits (PELs) for the workplace, it feels more input is needed.

Weekly news round-up

Big Apple pesticide exposure, EHS Academy Awards

October 19, 2013

The government shutdown’s potential affect on public health, Academy Awards for the EHS community and the question your doctor should be asking you are among this week’s top stories as featured on ISHN.com: