Occupational Safety & Health Reporter: Current Reports Index-Summary

ACCIDENTS

– Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board investigations

See CHEMICAL SAFETY AND HAZARD INVESTIGATION BOARD (CSB)

– Emergency response

See EMERGENCY PLANNING AND RESPONSE

– Explosions

See EXPLOSION PROTECTION

– Fires

See FIRE PROTECTION AND PREVENTION

– Process safety

See PROCESS SAFETY MANAGEMENT

ACCSH

See ADVISORY COMMITTEES, subheading: Construction Safety and Health Advisory Comm. (ACCSH)

ACETYLENE (74-86-2)

– OSHA publishes final rule updating general industry standard, 679

ACRYLAMIDE (79-06-1)

– ATSDR developing toxicological profile, 639
– Canada, draft order designates as toxic substance, 879

ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGES (ALJs)

– Decisions awaiting review posting on Internet, In Brief, 353

ADVERTISING

– Fall protection, arbitration order to reinstate worker fired for not using protective gear upheld (7th Cir.), 268

ADVISORY COMMITTEES

– CDC Health Care Infection Control Practices Advisory Comm., unions urge retention of guidance on respiratory protection for health care workers exposed to H1N1 virus, 518
– Construction Safety and Health Advisory Comm. (ACCSH)

– – Compact excavators, committee recommends OSHA include in earthmoving equipment protective measures, 662
– – Contractor safety, panel recommends OSHA issue selection guidance, 662
– – OSHA leadership, Barab hopes assistant secretary, director of construction in place by fall, 662
– – Power Fastening Tools work group creation, In Brief, 178; group resolves to improve training, review standard at first meeting, 320
– – Residential construction fall protection interim guidelines, OSHA may consider partial repeal, Branch tells work group, 303; Fairfax says Barab received briefing, 320
– – Silica work group, OSHA rejects request to review guidance documents in advance, 322; OSHA publishes silica exposure guidance without review, 364
– – Steel erection, OSHA plans to rescind compliance directive on fall protection, Barab says, 700
– – Stimulus package funding tops agenda of April meeting, 258; Laborers' Health and Safety Fund urges safety requirements for construction work funded by stimulus package, 321; July meeting to address construction projects, In Brief, 597
– – Training

– – – Fraudulent trainers, OSHA publishes watch list on internet, 657
– – – State and local laws may have unintended consequences, official tells work group, 657

– FACOSH

– – Agencies meeting, exceeding worker safety targets, official says, 546
– – Charter extension, In Brief, 840
– – H1N1 virus, OSHA requests improvements in federal worker protections, 545; OSHA will consider making guidelines mandatory, Barab says, 782
– – Meeting scheduled, tentative agenda set, 475; H1N1 virus outreach on agenda, In Brief, 527
– – Recordkeeping rule change allows OSHA to collect federal agency injury, illness data on regular basis, analyst says, 547

– Immunization Practices Advisory Comm. (ACIP), health care workers should receive H1N1 vaccination, panel recommends, 659
– MACOSH

– – Ergonomics study, container safety top priority list, 262
– – Speed limits and safety zones, In Brief, 370
– – Workgroup meetings, In Brief, 619

– NACOSH

– – Meeting agenda, In Brief, 527
– – Vacancies, OSHA seeks nominees, 489

– NIOSH Bd. of Sci. Counselors

– – FY 2009 funding increase allows NIOSH to proceed with research plans, Durst says, 326
– – National Acads. of Sci. audit, NIOSH outlines response, includes implementation of 3 research programs, 784
– – Research, NIOSH section heads give updates on ongoing projects, 327

AFGHANISTAN

– Waste burning improper, veterans claim contractors' actions harmed soldiers (N.D. Okla.), 647

AGED WORKERS

– Ergonomics, prevention of musculoskeletal disorders key to protection, CDC consultant tells small business forum, 569
– Noise, permissible exposure limit set too low, safety experts tell conference, 590

AGRICULTURE

– Heat illness

– – Cal. shuts down 5 labor contractors during enforcement sweep, 421; Sept. sweep shuts down 2 farm employers as CalOSH considers amendments to standards, 872
– – Labor contractor faces charges for pregnant teen farmworker death (Cal. Super. Ct.), 350

– Illinois Onsite Safety and Health Consultation Program, Grain and Feed Ass'n of Ill., OSHA alliance, In Brief, 453
– Pesticides

See PESTICIDES

AIR CONTAMINANTS

See INDOOR AIR; specific contaminants

AIR TRANSPORTATION

– Batteries, pilots group calls for ban on shipment of lithium batteries by aircraft, 732
– Charter jet company fined for violating whistleblower laws, 265
– Flight crew members raised safety concerns, OSHA orders airline to compensate, withdraw defamation suit, 281
– Fuel exposure, pollution exclusion no bar to claim (Ohio Ct. App.), 529
– Pilot reimbursement for whistleblowing, In Brief, 31
– Training, fatigue standards for pilots

See LEGISLATION, FEDERAL, HR 3371

AIRPORTS

– Air traffic control towers, OSHA to continue targeted inspections for safe egress, 665

ALABAMA

– Combustible dust, OSHA issues citations as part of national emphasis program, 548
– Construction firm faces fines for lack of safety program, 924
– Hydrogen sulfite exposure fatality, manufacturer faces fine, 476
– Landscaping products manufacturers face fines for alleged violations, 730
– Nuclear facilities, TVA contractor settles charges of false safety reports with $6.2M, 76
– Pallet maker faces fine for noise, other violations, 641
– Railcar repair facility faces fines for confined spaces, noise violations, 876
– Roller bearing maker faces fine for violations following inspection, 176
– Sawmill faces fines for safety violations, 219

ALJs

See ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGES (ALJs)

ALLERGIES

– Platinum salts and compounds, EPA issues draft toxicological review, 119
– Postal employee wrongfully fired for reporting health problems, DOL alleges (W.D. Wash.), 598

ALLIANCE PROGRAM, OSHA

– American Biol. Safety Ass'n, fact sheets issued, In Brief, 267
– American Soc'y of Safety Eng'rs, Greater Baton Rouge Chapter joins OSHA to protect petrochemical, construction workers, 65
– Ark La Tex Safe Transportation, Exploration, and Production Systems network joins OSHA to protect energy workers, 241
– Arkansas Home Builders, In Brief, 453
– Associated General Contractors', Shreveport, La. chapter renews alliance with OSHA, 763
– Boat People SOS, In Brief, 140
– Clark/Hunt JV forms partnership with OSHA for construction of San Antonio Military Medical Complex, 925
– Consulate General of Mexico, In Brief, 432
– Drilling group joins OSHA to protect contractors in Tex., neighboring states, 97
– Fla. health care providers and professional associations, In Brief, 200
– Greater New Orleans Indust. Educ. Council forms partnership with OSHA, 616
– Gulf Coast Latin Chamber of Commerce, In Brief, 99
– Illinois Onsite Safety and Health Consultation Program, Grain and Feed Ass'n of Ill., In Brief, 453
– Marlette Homes forms partnership with OSHA, In Brief, 453
– Mass. AFL-CIO, state, federal OSHA to train alternative high school students, In Brief, 82
– McFatter Technical Center, In Brief, 453
– National Assn. of Women in Construction, Del. chapter, In Brief, 411
– National Safety Council, La. chapter joins OSHA to protect construction, related industry workers, 97
– Ohio Forestry Ass'n, In Brief, 266
– PandemicPrep.Org alliance to promote pandemic influenza awareness, 45
– SafetyFlorida Consultation Program, In Brief, 99
– Wayne Finger Lakes Board of Cooperative Educ. Servs., In Brief, 267

AMERICAN NATIONAL STANDARDS INSTITUTE (ANSI)

– Confined spaces, minimum requirements for voluntary standard revised, 704
– Fall protection, committee chair announces approval of 3 new standards, 634
– Head protection standard approval, In Brief, 99
– Lasers, OSHA withdraws outdated guidance in deference to ANSI standards, 326

AMERICAN RECOVERY AND REINVESTMENT ACT (ARRA)

– ACCSH April agenda includes discussion of stimulus package funding, 258; July meeting to address construction projects, In Brief, 597
– Bridge construction, OSHA announces inspection program for Neb. projects, 594
– Construction projects

– – Inspections will increase at federal worksites, Solis tells cabinet members, 404
– – Laborers' Health and Safety Fund urges safety requirements for funded work, 321
– – Special emphasis program, official says OSHA preparing, 566; correction, 597

– Enforcement, worker safety may be overlooked in rush to get projects started, advocates say, 474
– Green jobs initiative

– – Unions question adequacy of training, 640
– – Worker safety not addressed, advocates say, 175; NIOSH launches worker safety initiative, 471

– High-speed rail construction, worker safety provisions included in guidelines, 520
– Missouri, OSHA launches special emphasis program to reduce hazards at construction projects, 451

AMMONIA (7664-41-7)

– Dairy faces fines for alleged violations at Colo. plant, 708
– Explosion at N.C. food plant, CSB investigates release, 522; CSB rejects investigation recommendations, will consider revised safety bulletin, 780
– Juice plant leak, maker wins summary judgment (M.D. Fla.), 34

AMPUTATIONS

– Power presses, Mo. machine and tool company faces fine, 476

AMUSEMENT PARKS

– Indoor water park symptoms likely due to disinfection byproduct and poor ventilation, CDC reports, 118
– Inspection uncovers multiple violations at Ill. facility, workers' names redacted (RevComm), 504

ANSI

See AMERICAN NATIONAL STANDARDS INSTITUTE (ANSI)

APPEALS

– Notice of contest, ALJ to determine adequacy of roofing company's challenge of fall protection citations (RevComm), 860
– Overbooking of hearings, Cal/OSHA employees submit cease and desist request, 491

APPROPRIATIONS

See specific agencies and departments

ARBITRATION

– Fall protection, order to reinstate worker fired for not using protective gear upheld (7th Cir.), 268

ARGON (7440-37-1)

– Insurance, pollution exclusion clause bars claims involving exposure to naturally occurring substance (N.D. Tex.), 506

ARIZONA

– Charter jet company fined for retaliating against whistleblower, 265

ARKANSAS

– Arkansas Home Builders, OSHA alliance, In Brief, 453
– Energy workers' group partners with OSHA to protect safety, 241
– Multiemployer worksites, general contractor may be cited for subcontractors' hazards (8th Cir.), 179; defendant seeks rehearing en banc, 288
– Poultry processor pleads guilty to willful violations resulting in asphyxiation, agrees to pay $500,000 fine (W.D. Ark.), 27; sentencing, 504
– Trenching and shoring, Branco Enters. faces fine for violations, 689

ARRA

See AMERICAN RECOVERY AND REINVESTMENT ACT (ARRA)

ASBESTOS (1332-21-4)

– Boilers

– – Contractor's defense applicable while maker negligent, retrial ordered citing inconsistent verdict (Cal. Ct. App.), 818
– – Non-boiler-related exposure evidence improperly excluded, $1M verdict reversed (Ill.), 352
– – Sophisticated user defense not applicable in design defect case, $2.66M award to ship worker affirmed (Cal. Ct. App.), 796
– – Tender on Naval destroyers accepts $3.2M settlement (Cal. Super. Ct.), 182

– Brake linings

– – Expert reliability to support $2M award to mechanic reaffirmed (Del. Super. Ct.), 330; award affirmed (Del.), 770
– – Subcontractor's employee strict liability claim against maker denied, negligence claim may proceed (Wis. App. Ct.), 393

– Dryer felts, damage awards to paper mill workers upheld (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div.), 736
– EU Parliament calls for withdrawal of exemption for certain fibers, 391
– Fatalities, malignant mesothelioma rates rise due to latent worker exposure, NIOSH reports, 346
– Forum, case filed by Spanish nationals will remain in U.S. (Del. Super. Ct.), 532
– France plans to change exposure rules based on new data, recommendations, 177
– Insulation made by third party, ship engine maker had no duty to warn (Wash. Ct. App.), 647
– Johns-Manville bankruptcy settlement, injunction vacated (U.S., rvs and rem), 528
– Joint compound, $4.6M award rejected due to difficult apportionment (Cal. Ct. App.), 331
– Lung cancer risk elevated in workers with indirect exposure, study finds, 682
– Machinist in Navy exposed, wife due $2.9M damages (Cal. Super. Ct.), 412
– Medical criteria enacted in 2004 applies to cases pending when law became effective (Ohio Ct. App.), 47
– Metal and sheet fabricator faces fines for lack of protection at N.Y. facility, 177
– Military contractor defense, ship equipment manufacturing workers' suit remains in federal court (D. Conn.), 646
– Naval Equipment Manufacturers to pay $14M for asbestos exposure to 3 veterans in reverse-bifurcated trial (Pa. Ct. Common Pleas), 353
– NESHAP

– – Salvage and demolition business owner pleads guilty to handling, notice violations (E.D. Tenn.), 861
– – Utility, employees granted new trial for violating work practice standards, making false statements (9th Cir.), 247; government's evidence inadmissible (S.D. Cal.), 769; second status conference scheduled, 798; dismissal of charges, 887

– Owner's duty to independent contractor to warn of latent danger turns on actual knowledge (Ky.), 100
– Paper mills, sales records sufficient to proceed with exposure claim against manufacturers (W.D. Wash.), 764
– Prejudgment interest, double recovery rejection upheld (Cal. Ct. App.), 311
– Pretrial settlements limit recovery to $40,000 in case of family awarded $2.35M (Cal. Super. Ct.), 887
– Railroad workers

– – Fear of developing cancer, court's refusal to give jury instruction on “genuine and serious” error (U.S., rev grant and rem), 454
– – General release signed as part of separation agreement, does not bar toxic tort claims under FELA (W.Va.), 247
– – State filing requirements for claims not preempted by FELA or LBIA (U.S., rev den), 46

– Removal operations

– – New York City legislative package aims to improve safety, increase oversight, 385
– – State Natl. Life Bldg., OSHA fines 3 La. companies for violations, 524
– – Trainers, owner of Cal. company accused of false teaching claims (N.D. Cal.), 927

– Renovations projects

– – Equitable Bldg., developer ordered to pay $500,000 civil penalty for failure to abide by regulations (Iowa Dist. Ct.), 394
– – Remodeler charged with illegal disposal, endangerment of employees (Colo. Dist.), 14

– Research, Natl. Acads. Inst. of Medicine begins review of road map, 61; scientist supports, mining industry opposes use of term “elongated mineral particles,” 259
– Seaman widow's evidence insufficient, $8M award excessive, new trial ordered (N.D. Ohio), 292
– Ship pumps and valves, makers may be liable for replacement parts (Cal. Ct. App.), 842
– Smithsonian Institution exposures

– – Officer resigns, In Brief, 306
– – Threat under control, Clough tells Congress, 282
– – Whistleblowers, museum worker files complaint alleging knowing exposure, 220; museum admits knowledge of asbestos, denies retaliation against whistleblower, 241

– Take-home toxics

See TAKE-HOME TOXICS

– Third-party product hazards, equipment suppliers had no duty to warn (Cal. Ct. App.), 182
– Tort reform, Okla. governor signs bill, 474
– Verdict overturning, court must provide reasons for granting new trial (Tex.), 578

ASPHALT (8052-42-4)

– Paving company faces fines for violations during transfer of asphalt into storage tanks at Neb. site, 839
– Process safety management

– – BTB Refining faces fines for alleged violations at Tex. plant, 617
– – NuStar Asphalt Refining faces fines following inspection of N.J. plant, 905

– Propane torch caused cement tank explosion, Ontario paving company fined, 11

ASSOCIATIONS

– Academy of Certified Hazardous Materials Managers, name change, In Brief, 67
– Alliance of Hazardous Materials Professionals, name change, In Brief, 67
– Industrial hygienists' groups form strategic alliance, 446
– National Assn. of Manufacturers, Campbell to chair, In Brief, 67

ASTHMA

– Irritants and sensitizers, NIOSH calls for research, In Brief, 306
– World Trade Center study finds rates highest among rescue, recovery workers, 681

AT-HOME WORKERS

– Portugal approves new worker protection law, 793

ATSDR

See TOXIC SUBSTANCES AND DISEASE REGISTRY AGENCY (ATSDR)

AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY

– Asbestos in brakes

See BRAKES

– Automotive systems firm faces fine for safety violations at Ga. plant, 218
– Parts stamping, Ohio company faces fines for safety violations, 138
– Scissor lift toppled, Ontario parts maker faces fine, 98
– Shock absorber manufacturing, plantiff must make reasonable inquiry before objecting to technical evidence regarding hexavalent chromium exposure (M.D. Ga.), 577
– Truck and bus repair firm faces fine following fatality at Ontario facility, 392
– Vehicle body repair facilities, Ontario announces safety initiative, 815

AVIAN INFLUENZA VIRUS

– Pandemic, GAO says more work needed to protect health care, poultry workers, 196
– Poultry worker protection, study finds standard personal protective equipment effective, 30