The U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) is commending the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) for exceeding the Board’s recommended actions in developing a new gas process safety standard. The CSB issued an urgent recommendation in June, 2010 following the February 7, 2010, deadly natural gas explosion at the Kleen Energy electric plant – then under construction in Middletown, Connecticut.

OSHA has cited Individualized Shirt Co., doing business as Individualized Shirts, for 13 health and safety violations following an inspection begun in April in response to a complaint at its Perth Amboy facility. Proposed fines total $50,400.

While the effects of the recent 16-day government shutdown are still being determined on a broad scale, a second OSH-related federal agency is showing signs of a significant lessening of activity during that time.

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.

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration’s inspectors issued 213 citations, 23 orders and one safeguard during special impact inspections conducted at nine coal mines and five metal/nonmetal mines last month.

OSHA has cited EJ USA Inc., a metal hatch manufacturer, for 13 violations of workplace safety standards at its Cicero, NY plant. Proposed fines total $56,000.