Monday, December 22, 2008

Fall protection and skylights

Apparently, the ASTM has a work group looking into the development of a skylight fall protection test standard.

A manufacturer's group has published a salvo across the bow, saying there are issues. My interpretation of their issues are:

  • The data out there has been inaccurately presented
  • Needs more study-- we don't have enough facts
  • This is really complicated
  • We need to be reasonable about this
Hmm.... Anyway, if you get past all those stall, deflect, and distract strategies, they do have some pertinent suggestions: conduct a hazard assessment; mitigate the hazards through engineering control, operation protocols or PPE; minimize the risk by minimizing the number of personnel authorized to access the roof; train personnel on the hazards and controls; and employ appropriate signage. I can't argue with that.

Link:
http://www.aamanet.org/upload/Skylight_Council_Position_Paper_rev_Dec_08.pdf

Nanomaterial risk review

The federal government's plan for researching the health and environmental risks of nanomaterials has "serious weaknesses," says this report from the National Research Council.

Links:
http://books.nap.edu/openbook.php?record_id=12559&page=R1

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Audit results: Santa's Workshop

SUBJECT: Safety Inspection of Santa’s Workshop.

1. Background. Santa’s workshop (SW) incorporates a range of workers, laborers and elfs from various backgrounds and skill levels. Some are registered as skill laborers and some as basic laborer, carpenters and master carpenters. A wide variance in health hazards exist in the workshop are present that place workers at risk. This report characterizes these hazards.

The walkaround was accompanied by Elf representatives from each of the respective work centers at SW so that each group was allowed to participate. The inspection was divided into sections so that each area received equal attention.


2. Findings. The inspector performed a comprehensive review of this workplace from December 1 through 12th during the height of activity. The following activities were observed:

a. Woodshop activities
b. Loading/unloading activities (Packing and transportation)
c. Radiation Protection.


a. Woodshop activities. The woodshop activities consist of skilled and unskilled carpenters and laborers involved in the development, fabrication, and finishing of toy products for general consumption of the public. Each of the areas lacks essential local exhaust ventilation (LEV) for protection of elfs and workers. There is a question whether the exposure to wood dust is in excess of the airborne standard outlined in the ACGIH TLV booklet, 2008. Housekeeping was poor around saws, workstations and break areas. Elfs complained about the height of workstations and the need for step-stools. Using the standard fall protection standard for elves, the working height limit would be 2 feet (29 CFR 1910). The use of paints, solvents and adhesives will be evaluated on a subsequent visit.

b. Loading/Unloading Activities. The tables in ACGIH, Table 1, do not apply for elves because these standards are based on standard man, not elf. Recommended limit was 16 kg was reduced to 4 kg based on size and strength. This standard is consistently exceeded at SW. A full comprehensive ergonomics evaluation is recommended.

c. Radiation Protection. The primary radiation at SW was identified as an organic source: Rudolph’s nose. The spectrum of the electromagnetic radiation has been identified as non-ionizing. The light is in the range of 595 nm and extends into the near infrared. It presents retinal spectral hazards to any individual within 2 meters and is limited to 0.1 W/cm2. This source produced actinic light capable of causing temporary blindness. Elfs complained of needing to purchase sun-glasses when in close proximately to the Nose during loading/unloading activities. Company provided eye wear is needed for all loading/unloading personnel.



3. Results. Numerous violations of OSHA, ACGIH standards were identified at SW. It appears that managers were aware at least in part of some of the deficiencies. However, they were amenable to immediate correction of deficiencies following the Holiday rush. A penalty will not be considered because SW recognition of hazards and the employer’s “good faith” in correcting these deficiencies.

EPA Proposes Final Authorization of State Hazardous Waste Management Program Revision



EPA has proposed to authorize Wisconsin's Hazardous Waste Management Revisions which took effect in August 2006. The proposed rule can be found at:

Of interest to me was a (rather lengthy) table that correlates Federal provisions with former NR provision, as well as the recodified NR provision.

Also:

G. Where Are the Revised State Rules
Different From the Federal Rules?
These practices are prohibited in Wisconsin: Underground Injection (40 CFR Part 144), and Land Treatment (40 CFR 270.20). Wisconsin also does not provide for Permit by Rule (40 CFR
270.60). Wisconsin does not allow automatic authorization under the permit modification regulations found in 40 CFR 270.42 (b)(6). The 10 year Remedial Action Plan, or RAP (40 CFR
270.79 et seq.) is replaced by a 5 year Remediation Variance (NR670.079). These Wisconsin regulations are more stringent: 662.220(5)(c,d), 662.220(6)(c,d,f), and 670.030 (annual
report required instead of a biennial report). Wisconsin maintains different financial regulations that allow for additional equivalent financial mechanisms (664.0143), do not allow the net worth test for closure under Part 665, and maintain some more stringent insurance requirements under 664.0143(5)(h), 664.0147(1)(a)(3), and 665.0147(1)(a)(3). The following Wisconsin regulations have no Federal counterpart: 666.081, 666.900 through 666.910, and 673.11.
There are no Wisconsin provisions for 40 CFR 268.5, 268.44 (other than 268.44(h)), and 270.3 as these are Federal non-delegable provisions.

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Distracted driving


A day after reading "Weighing distracted driving risks," an article in Safety+Health magazine, I stumbled across reference to recent research showing that drivers make more mistakes when talking on a cell phone than when talking to passengers.

The research addresses the common question about whether driver distraction comes from cell-phone use specifically or conversation generally. Even when drivers used a hands-free cell phone, driving performance was significantly compromised. The findings appear in the Journal of Experimental Psychology: Applied (American Psychological Association).


“Passenger and Cell Phone Conversations in Simulated Driving,” Frank A. Drews, PhD, Monisha Pasupathi, PhD, and David L. Strayer, PhD; Journal of Experimental Psychology: Applied, Vol. 14, No. 4.

Got PPE?

Difficulty in getting employees to wear PPE is not limited to colleges and universities, at least not according to this report in FacilityBlog/TFM (from Today's Facility Manager magazine).

A recent survey conducted by Kimberly-Clark Professional found that 89% of safety professionals polled have observed workers failing to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) when they should have been.

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Final Definition of Solid Waste Rule


On October 7, 2008, the Environmental Protection Agency issued a new final rule that streamlines regulation of hazardous secondary materials to encourage beneficial recycling and help conserve resources. By removing unnecessary regulatory controls, EPA expects to make it easier and more cost-effective to safely recycle hazardous secondary material.

The final rule and associated documents can be found here:

The rule excludes materials from the federal hazardous waste system that are:
•generated and legitimately reclaimed under the control of the generator;
•generated and transferred to another company for legitimate reclamation under specific conditions; or
•determined by EPA or an authorized state to be non-wastes on a case-by-case basis via a petition process.
The rule also contains a provision to determine which recycling activities are legitimate under the new exclusions and non-waste determinations. These exclusions are not available for materials that are considered inherently waste-like, used in a manner constituting disposal, or burned for energy recovery.

We cannot use the provisions until WIDNR adopts them.

EPA accepting comments on nanoscale silver

EPA has published in the Federal Register a notice requesting public comment on a petition filed by the International Center for Technology Assessment (ICTA) et al. The petitioners note the rapid increase in the number of products containing manufactured or engineered nanoscale materials.

They further point out that scientists have identified that nanoscale materials can have fundamentally different properties from the non-nanoscale or bulk forms of the same compounds, and that these unique properties may pose new environmental and human health risks.

Additionally, the petitioners review EPA’s procedural history with respect to nanotechnology and conclude that the Agency has not provided adequate regulatory oversight for this emerging technology.

The petition requests that the EPA:

  • classify nanoscale silver as a pesticide,
  • require formal pesticide registration,
  • analyze the potential human health and environmental risks of nanoscale silver, and
  • develop appropriate regulatory oversights for nanoscale silver products.
The Agency has determined that the petition raises issues that potentially affect private and public sector stakeholders. Through this notice, EPA is asking for public comment, which may be submitted through January 20, 2009.

Monday, December 1, 2008

DNR Publication about Sharps Disposal


DNR has posted a new publication describing Wisconsin sharps collection program:


Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Using Living Cells as Nanotechnology Factories

In the tiny realm of nanotechnology, scientists have used a wide variety of materials to build atomic scale structures. But just as in the construction business, nanotechnology researchers can often be limited by the amount of raw materials. Now, Biodesign Institute at Arizona State University researcher Hao Yan has avoided these pitfalls by using cells as factories to make DNA based nanostructures inside a living cell. (More....)

Monday, November 24, 2008

EPA awards $271,278 in grants to 11 Midwest environmental education projects

(Chicago, Ill. - Nov. 21, 2008) U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 5 has awarded $271,278 in grants to fund 11 projects that enhance environmental education in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin.

The annual grants are given to community groups, nonprofit organizations, government agencies, schools and universities for projects that increase knowledge and awareness of science and the environment. The funding will promote and advance environmental literacy and sustainable practices.

"These grants support projects that help students and teachers learn more about ecosystems, climate change, safe chemicals and how to be good stewards of the environment," said Megan Gavin, environmental education grants coordinator in EPA's Region 5 office. "We are impressed year after year with how much the recipients are able to accomplish with these grants."
The 2008 environmental education grant recipients are:

Illinois
Forest Preserve District of DuPage County, Wheaton, $11,054. For its Earth Partnership for Schools curriculum, a nationally recognized model for restoration-based educational programming. The program will train teachers in methods for active engagement of their students in an inquiry-based process for restoring native plant landscapes. Contact: David Guritz, 630-462-5654.

Chicago Horticultural Society, Glencoe, $14,000. For its Fairchild Challenge Chicago, a series of multidisciplinary educational challenges that increase student knowledge of local environmental issues and facilitate informed decision-making and problem-solving skills that enable students to address those concerns. Contact: Melissa Matterson, 847-835-8257.

Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, $26,689. For training teachers on integrating the concept of "no child left inside" within the No Child Left Behind framework through design, development and delivery of innovative workshops on environmental education. Contact: Sabiha Daubi, 815-754-0723.

Illinois Department of Public Health, Springfield, $40,589. For its Safe Chemicals in Schools workshop, a successful environmental education program for teachers to learn about proper chemical storage and handling. Contact: Ken Runkle, 217-785-1666.

Indiana
Ball State University, Muncie, $36,630. For its Envirotech Project designed to initiate, enable and facilitate a critical examination of a contemporary issue which ultimately enhances environmental literacy of technology teachers and their students. Contact: Annette Rose, 765-285-5648.

Michigan
Dickinson Conservation District, Kingsford, $23,508. For its Energized for the Future program that takes curriculum lessons on energy, fossil fuels and sustainable resources and makes those lessons come alive for students. Contact: Ann Hruska, 906-774-8441.
Inland Seas Education Association, Suttons Bay, $29,770. For its Invasive Species Education Initiative whose objective is to increase awareness and knowledge of invasive species and provide educational materials for integration of invasive species research into classrooms and local communities and to form networks to increase access to resources concerning invasive species. Contact: Tom Kelly, 231-271-3077.

Minnesota
Proctor Public Schools, Proctor, $44,446. For hosting a Lake Superior youth symposium for middle and high school students. The goal of the symposium is to enhance the ability and motivation of middle and high school students and teachers to understand and act on the environmental issues facing Lake Superior both now and in the future. Contact: Diane Podgornik, 218-628-4926.

Higher Education Consortium for Urban Affairs, St. Paul, $15,000. For a two-week immersion course for undergraduate students called Environment and Agriculture. The program offered in the spring focuses on connections among agriculture, sustainability and global environmental justice. Contact: Julia Frost Nerbonne, 651-646-8831.

Ohio
Ohio River Foundation, Cincinnati, $19,592. To provide hands-on learning about watersheds and storm water management to students in grades 6-12 participating in a school rain garden program. Students will design and develop rain gardens that serve as a model for the community at large. Contact: Erin Crowley, 513-460-3365.

Wisconsin
Wisconsin Children's Museum, Madison, $10,000. For its Leap into Lakes, an inquiry-based, hands-on experience that immerses preschool children in the underwater world of lake critters and plants, and plays on their innate connection to living creatures while connecting them to larger ecological concepts such as stewardship. Contact: Allison Hildebrandt, 608-256-6445.
The grants are awarded yearly under the National Environmental Education Act, which was passed in 1990 to stimulate environmental education through design, demonstration and communications projects conceived by local organizations.

More information on EPA's environmental education grants is at http://www.epa.gov/enviroed/grants.html.

Pharmaceuticals


The EPA is proposing to add hazardous pharmaceutical wastes to the Universal Waste Rule in order to provide a system for disposing hazardous pharmaceutical wastes that is protective of public health and the environment. The proposed addition will make it easier for generators to collect and properly dispose of these items as hazardous wastes, resulting in a simpler and more streamlined waste management system.

This proposed rule applies to:
pharmacies,
hospitals,
physicians’ offices,
dentists’ offices,
outpatient care centers,
ambulatory health care services,
residential care facilities,
veterinary clinics, and
other facilities that generate hazardous pharmaceutical wastes.

The rule encourages generators to dispose of non-hazardous pharmaceutical waste as universal waste, thereby removing this unregulated waste from wastewater treatment plants and municipal solid waste landfills. The addition of hazardous pharmaceutical waste to the Universal Waste Rule will facilitate the collection of personal medications from the public at various facilities so that they can be more properly managed.
Currently the federal Universal Waste Rule includes batteries, pesticides, mercury-containing equipment, and lamps. Universal wastes are typically generated in a wide variety of settings including industrial settings and households, by many sectors of society, and may be present in significant volumes in non-hazardous waste management systems. (More.....)

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Three new guidelines from AIHA

The American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) just released three new publications:

  • Guideline for Implementing an Integrated Health, Safety, and Wellness Program for Small Businesses
  • Guideline on Occupational Exposure Reconstruction
  • Storage Rack Safety Guideline

Link: http://www.aiha.org/Content/AccessInfo/press/AIHA+Press+Release-+AIHA+Releases+Three+New+Guidelines.htm

Control of Hazardous Energy Standard

The American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) recently announced that the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) approved the reaffirmation of the American National Standard ANSI Z244.1-2003 (R2008) ‘Control of Hazardous Energy – Lockout/Tagout and Alternative Methods,’ which aims to protect workers from hazardous energy associated with machines, equipment or processes that could cause injury.

Link
http://www.asse.org/newsroom/release.php?pressRelease=1147

Entrapment risk in public swimming pools

On December 19, 2008, the Consumer Product Safety Commission rules for the elimination of suction and hair entrapment risk in public swimming pools will go into effect. State of Wisconsin plan review is necessary when modifying swimming pools and water attractions to comply with the December 2008 federal Virginia Graeme Baker suction regulation. [read more of the Wisconsin Department of Commerce bulletin]

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) staff has also prepared a guidance
document
that spells out the technical requirements of the regulation.

There are many resources made available by the Association of Pool & Spa Professionals, including pages on:
Summary analysis of the legislation
Entrapment prevention in pools and spas

Additional notes--
December 10, 2008:
Link to Wisconsin Department of Commerce S&B Public Swimming Pools Program
December 16, 2008: Link to CPSC news release (12/15/2008)

Links:
http://www.commerce.wi.gov/SB/SB-SwimmingPoolsWisGraemeBaker.html
http://www.cpsc.gov/BUSINFO/vgpsa.pdf
http://apsp.org/clientresources/documents/Siddiqui_EntrapmentPools,Spas_reprint.pdf
http://apsp.org/clientresources/documents/Summary_PSSafetyAct07-08.pdf
http://commerce.wi.gov/SB/SB-SwimmingPoolsProgram.html
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09065.html

How does bleach kill bacteria?

ANN ARBOR, Mich.—Developed more than 200 years ago and found in households around the world, chlorine bleach is among the most widely used disinfectants, yet scientists never have understood exactly how the familiar product kills bacteria.

New research from the University of Michigan, however, reveals key details in the process by which bleach works its antimicrobial magic.

In a study published in the Nov. 14 issue of the journal Cell, a team led by molecular biologist Ursula Jakob describes a mechanism by which hypochlorite, the active ingredient of household bleach, attacks essential bacterial proteins, ultimately killing the bugs.

Read more of the University of Michigan press release.

Hear Dr. Jakob discuss her research on NPR's Talk of the Nation.

EPA Releases Mercury Documents


EPA Encourages the Use of Mercury-Free Alternatives. EPA has posted a Risk Based Prioritization (RPB) document for mercury (PDF) (7 pp., 67KB, about PDF) under EPA’s Chemical Assessment and Management Program (ChAMP). This preliminary assessment describes uses of elemental mercury in a number of products and concludes that switches, relays, button cell batteries, non-fever thermometers, and measuring devices such as thermostats do not have to contain mercury. Based on this assessment, EPA determined that mercury in these products poses a “high priority, special concern.” The Agency plans to take prompt regulatory and voluntary action to encourage the use of mercury-free alternatives and reduce the use of mercury in products.


• November 2008: EPA has also developed a searchable database of information from various sources to help identify consumer and commercial products that contain mercury and their possible non-mercury alternatives. EPA encourages people to use non-mercury alternatives whenever possible as an important way to prevent exposure to mercury, including exposure due to breakage.

http://www.epa.gov/hg

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Slips, trips and falls campaign


The Bureau of State Risk Management (BSRM) be will starting the Slips, Trips and Falls Reduction Campaign in November. The campaign plan consists of:

  • Winter slips and falls poster (pictured at right, planned to be available at the RM Conference in Madison on November 12-13).
  • Winter slips and falls webcast (will be shown at the RM Conference at the Safety booth) to be available on the BSRM webpage for agency use. This is scheduled to be available during the week of the conference.
  • Safety booth with Slips, Trips and Falls information
  • Weekly emails in November regarding Slips and Falls prevention
  • Spring webcast on slips, trips and falls.

Safety message for facility services staff

I've been having many discussions lately, both verbal and email, on the topic of management support for occupational safety throughout our system campuses. One recent example of a clear message of management support for safety over expediency comes from the latest newsletter for UW-Milwaukee's Facility Services Department. On page one, director Dave Danielson gives both general support to the safety attitude he wants from his employees, and specifically mentions certain tasks and injury causes for extra attention.

In addition to that safety endorsement, page 4 discusses back safety and makes use of the signage developed by UW-Madison. (Jeff Nytes from UW-Madison presented an overview of their back safety program at our recent campus meeting in September.) Page 5 has a report on campus sustainability issues.

Neil Young on gas guzzlers: Long may you run



Al Saracevic, (San Francisco) Chronicle Staff Writer
Monday, November 3, 2008
(11-02) 21:16 PST -- Leave it to Neil Young to make green technology cool.
The rock legend has created a company called Linc Volt Technology to promote the conversion of existing gas-guzzling cars into vehicles that run on alternative energy. (More...)

Monday, November 3, 2008

Driving while distracted


Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company’s second annual Driving While Distracted survey shows that increased use of technology, along with the societal need to be available at all times, are increasing the frequency and severity of driving while distracted. According to the DWD survey results, even those who practice safe driving admit to doing outlandish things behind the wheel, including changing clothes, balancing a checkbook and shaving.

For a summary and other info on the survey, check out Nationwide's web page.

Hazmat inventory fee increase sought by WEM


Late last week, Wisconsin Emergency Management (WEM) gave notice of intent to develop a request for a fee increase for facilities that store hazardous materials and extremely hazardous substances. No information on the specifics of the fee increase (like, how much more are you going to have to pay?) are available at this time.

Thursday, October 30, 2008

FY08 State Agency Injury/Illness Report

I recently sent the FY08 State of Wisconsin Risk Management Benchmarking Report to campus safety managers on our 4YrEHS mail list. The report consists of an executive summary followed by 20 plus pages of charts, tables and graphs on state agency employee injuries, illness, and claim costs.

Previous fiscal year versions of this report are available through the Wisconsin Document Depository Program. Select the Advanced Search feature, and search for the words:


risk management benchmarking accidents

That will bring up six years of reports.

Monday, October 27, 2008

Risk-Based Performace Standards Guidance: Notice of Availability and Request for Comments



The Department of Homeland Security invites interested persons to contribute suggestions and comments on the draft document entitled “Risk-Based Performance Standards Guidance” (RBPS Guidance) by submitting written data, views, or arguments.
Comments that will provide the most assistance to the Department will explain the reason for any recommended changes to the RBPS Guidance and include data, information, or authority that supports such recommended changes.
Please identify the proposed changes by page and line number, and/or by Figure or Table number.
Read the Draft Risk-Based Performance Standards Guidance (PDF, 178 pages - 853 KB)

(More....)

College/university incidence rate for 2007

The 2007 Bureau of Labor Statistics on Incidence rates - detailed industry level is now available. Our industry sector -- Colleges, universities, and professional schools (NAICS code 6113) -- posted a total recordable case incidence rate of 2.6. The incidence rate for cases with days away from work, job transfer, or restriction (DART rate) is 1.0.

Most recent calendar year incidence rates for colleges, universities, and professional schools:

2007 -- 2.6
2006 -- 2.5
2005 -- 2.7
2004 -- 2.8

Friday, October 24, 2008

Fire safety pages around the system

As we come to the close of the fall fire drill season, I recently pointed you to the new River Falls web page on fire drill results. Thought that I'd also mention a sampling of the fire safety internet links from other UW campuses. If I missed one that you think needs to be shared, let me know and I'll post it.

Madison has several fire safety links in the sidebar of their general safety page.

Milwaukee has a wealth of both general and campus-specific fire safety links on their page.

Green Bay has a fire safety self-inspection checklist that campus staff could use to evaluate their own work surroundings.

Parkside has pages on their evacuation procedures and a description of safe havens.

Stevens Point has building and res life safety guide links under the Emergency section of their EH&S website.

Stout has links to their procedures and training slides for "How to Report a Fire/ Fire Training."

Superior has a concise page on their emergency procedures, including a link to a tri-fold brochure on fire evacuation (pdf).

Whitewater has links to their fire drill procedures and fire safety policy.

Eau Claire and La Crosse mention their evacuation procedures in their emergency response plans.

Thursday, October 23, 2008

Sticky Tape Produces X-Rays


from nature.com...

I thought this was interesting. I'm not sure how they'll regulate it. Probably $150.00/roll/year :)

http://www.nature.com/nature/videoarchive/x-rays/

Friday, October 17, 2008

UW-Oshkosh Emergency Procedures Guide


The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh has developed a new manual to ensure that the campus community knows what to do during various emergency situations.

The Emergency Procedures Guide, a spiral-bound, easy-reference handbook, provides step-by-step instructions on what one should to do when faced with potential emergencies such as bomb threat, chemical or hazardous waste spill, disturbance, fire, medical emergency, severe weather, active shooter and suspicious letter or package.

UW Oshkosh always has had emergency procedures in place; the manual serves as a helpful resource on the individual level, according to Vice Chancellor for Student Services Petra Roter.

“The Emergency Procedures Guide is a way of making sure that everyone knows what that plan is,” Roter said.

The guide will be distributed at the start of the fall semester to all University employees and will be on display in classrooms, administrative offices and residence halls.

A multichannel communications tool, the guide also will be available online for quick reference at www.uwosh.edu/emergency.

EPA to 'Reset' TSCA Inventory

As part of the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Chemical Assessment and Management Program (ChAMP), EPA announced its intent to update the current Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Inventory of industrial chemicals by "resetting" it to more accurately reflect the chemicals in commerce. EPA also plans to develop a program to challenge the U.S. chemical industry to provide health and safety information on inorganic high-production volume chemicals.

[See press release] [See ChAMP website]

To fulfill its part of the SPP commitment, the United States will, by 2012, complete screening-level hazard and risk characterizations and initiate action, as appropriate, on more than 6,750* chemicals produced above 25,000 pounds per year. The U.S. commitment to complete assessments and initiate needed action on these chemicals will apply the results of EPA’s work on High-Production Volume (HPV) chemicals - those chemicals produced or imported in the United States in quanties of 1 million pounds or more per year - and extend its efforts to moderate production volume (MPV) chemicals - those produced or imported in quantities above 25,000 and less than 1 million pounds per year.

As an initial effort under ChAMP, EPA began, in 2007, posting screening-level hazard characterizations and expanded this effort in 2008 by posting risk-based prioritizations (RBPs). The RBPs summarize basic hazard and exposure information on HPV chemicals, identify potential risks, note scientific issues and uncertainties, and indicate the initial priority being assigned by the Agency for potential future appropriate action.

Thursday, October 16, 2008

River Falls campus feedback on fire drills


Connie Smith at UW-River Falls is using their website to provide feedback to the campus community on their recent fire drills. It includes FAQ's, Fire Safety Basics, and a summary by building.

Preventing Health Hazards from Metal Working Fluids

Metal Working Fluids at use without controls

Metal working fluids used without controls.

More than 100 million gallons of metal working fluids (MWFs) are produced every year, and more than 1 million employees are exposed to these MWFs. NIOSH issued guidance on recommended exposure limits (RELs) and controls for MWFs in 1998, but continues to find employees exposed to airborne concentrations of MWFs above the RELs and employees with respiratory and skin problems of the types associated with MWF exposures.

MWFs are used to lubricate, cool, prevent corrosion of, and remove chips from tools and metal parts during grinding, cutting, or boring operations. There are several types of MWFs: straight or soluble oils, semisynthetic oils, and synthetic oils. Exposures to MWFs can occur through inhaling aerosols, skin contact with contaminated surfaces, and splashing of fluids. Employees who have been exposed to MWFs often report skin disorders (skin irritations, oil acne, and rashes); eye, nose, and throat irritation; and respiratory symptoms (cough, asthma, or other breathing problems).

In 1998, NIOSH issued RELs of 0.5 mg/m3 for total MWF particulates and 0.4 mg/m3 for the thoracic particulate mass, as a time-weighted average concentration for up to 10 hours per day during a 40-hour work week. (read more of the NIOSH article here...)

New Comm 10 Adopted





The web page for the proposed (and newly adopted) revisions can be found here:

http://www.commerce.state.wi.us/er/ER-BST-Comm10CodeRevisionPage.html

Comm 10 has been adopted and the anticipated effective date is Feb 1, 2009. We are receiving inquiries regarding the ability to use the revised code now. Because the revised Comm 10 has formally been adopted (with an effective date of Feb 1st.) it is acceptable to use the revised Comm 10 for plan development and submittal if it is used entirely, including the respective adopted standards. A person cannot pick and choose between the current Comm 10 and the adopted Comm 10. If using the adopted revised code the submitter should attach a note that the plan submittal is developed in accordance with the revised version of the Comm 10 code.

Revised operator recordkeeping and system test requirements that may change under the revised code are not effective until February 1, 2009.

Sheldon Schall, Chief
Storage Tank Regulation Section
Wisconsin Department of Commerce
US Mail: PO Box 7837, Madison, WI 53707-7837
UPS/FedEx: 201 W. Washington Ave., Madison, WI 53703
(608) 266-0956
Fax: (608) 261-7725
Web site: http://commerce.wi.gov/

Thursday, October 9, 2008

EPAs self-audit agreement with independent Wisconsin colleges

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 5 recently announced that it has signed an agreement with 16 independent Wisconsin colleges and universities that allow the schools to perform their own compliance audits for seven major environmental laws.

The audit agreement calls for 16 members of the Wisconsin Association of Independent Colleges and Universities to work with a consultant in screening classroom buildings, laboratories and dining, athletic and maintenance facilities for compliance. As long as the schools correct violations and meet the conditions of the agreement, all or most penalties will be eliminated. (More...)

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

OSHA releases forklift eTool

Employers who use forklifts in their workplaces have a new resource to help keep their employees safe on the job. The Powered Industrial Trucks (Forklift) eTool is the latest Web-based training tool unveiled by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

The eTool, which focuses on forklifts commonly used in general industry, provides a review of potential hazards and a summary of key OSHA requirements and industry-recommended practices for forklift operations. It includes four modules examining the types of forklifts, safe operating practices, workplace conditions affecting operation and operator training.

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Perma-Fix fined over issues before purchase of Richland plant

By Annette Cary, Herald staff writer

Perma-Fix consent agreement/final order
http://media.tri-cityherald.com/smedia/2008/09/29/23/Permafix_CAFO.source.prod_affiliate.13.pdf

Perma-Fix Northwest Richland will pay a penalty of $304,500 after the Environmental Protection Agency found waste treatment problems stemming from the previous ownership of the Richland plant.

EPA and the Washington State Department of Ecology inspected the plant March 6, 2007, when it was owned by Pacific EcoSolutions, or PEcoS, and issued a notice of violation June 14, 2007, on problems identified during the inspection. That was one day after Perma-Fix Northwest took ownership of the plant.

All but one issue was resolved within 60 days of Perma-Fix taking over the plant and the remaining issue was resolved within 90 days.

"Perma-Fix ended all the issues and we ended up with the bill," said Richard Grondin, Perma-Fix Northwest's general manager.

The plant, on 45 acres on Battelle Boulevard, treats low-level radioactive waste and low-level radioactive waste mixed with hazardous chemicals. Much of the waste comes from the nearby Hanford nuclear reservation, but Perma-Fix also accepts waste from other Department of Energy sites and commercial waste from the nuclear industry, utilities and hospitals.

Perma-Fix has made extensive changes to the plant's ventilation system and purchased equipment to allow remote handling of waste at a cost of more than $1 million, Grondin said.

Within 90 days of taking ownership of the plant, it had disposed of low-level waste mixed with chemicals that had been at the facility for three to four years, he said. In addition, it had disposed of almost 800,000 pounds of low-level radioactive waste that had been at the plant for six or seven years, which was not an issue in the EPA settlement agreement, he said.

The settlement agreement listed seven violations, starting with a finding that PEcoS had been storing 42 containers of radioactive waste mixed with hazardous chemicals for more than one year. Its permit required it to treat and ship such waste it generates on-site within a year.

PEcoS also had eight drums of PCB waste it had stored for more than a year. It had previously received extensions to continue storing that waste, but the last extension had expired months earlier.

In a third violation, EPA found a shipment of 219 drums were brought to PEcoS for processing with no indication that PCBs were present. PCBs were found in one drum, but it was not handled as required, according to EPA.

PEcoS also did not correctly follow procedures for dust contaminated with cadmium, with EPA finding problems ranging from its failure to identify the hazard to its disposal. Other violations included failing to label containers of waste and not following requirements for shipping manifests.

In June 2007, EPA gave Perma-Fix 60 days to solve problems or be barred from accepting waste shipments from federal Superfund sites. Perma-Fix resolved six of the issues within 60 days but requested an extension to allow for sampling of the PCB waste and disposing of it.

That issue also was resolved within 90 days with no interruption of Perma-Fix's ability to accept waste.

"It is critical that facilities like Perma-Fix that handle hazardous waste and PCB waste manage it properly or face penalties," said Mike Bussell, EPA's director of the Office of Compliance and Enforcement in Seattle, in a statement. "Properly managing hazardous waste and PCB waste is absolutely critical to protecting both workers and the surrounding community and environment."

Perma-Fix said it proposed that instead of paying the fine the money be spent on a project that would benefit the environment, but EPA rejected its proposal. Other recent fines related to Hanford have been used for projects such as building a greenhouse for native plants, making improvements at Hanford to protect worker health and purchasing boats and equipment to respond to chemical spills in the Mid-Columbia.

* Annette Cary: 582-1533; acary@tricityherald.com

Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Del Monte Fined $190K for Hazardous Waste Storage, Handling Violations

September 30, 2008
EPA has fined Del Monte Fresh Produce Co. of Kunia, Oahu, $190,000 for hazardous waste storage, handling, and used oil management violations. The agency said that in August 2007 its inspectors found open and unlabeled containers of hazardous waste at the facility and evidence of a release of used oil. Additionally, the inspectors found the facility had stored containers of hazardous waste without a permit and stored hazardous waste for longer than the 90 days allowed by the EPA's hazardous waste storage rules, the agency said. At the time of the inspection, the company had ceased its pineapple growing operations.

According to EPA, the facility also failed to:

Have a response plan for hazardous waste and used oil spills and have an emergency response coordinator;
Properly manage other wastes, such as lead acid batteries;
Keep adequate hazardous waste training records for its staff;
Properly store used oil and label the containers; and
Respond to releases of used oil, and comply with oil pollution control requirements.
"Companies must properly store and handle hazardous waste to protect the community, workers, and the environment," said Jeff Scott, director of Waste Programs for the EPA's Pacific Southwest region. "I am pleased that Del Monte has corrected the violations and that the facility no longer presents a potential risk to human health and the environment."

EPA's hazardous waste rules require facilities to properly store, label, and seal hazardous waste containers. Facilities must also have trained staff, as improperly stored hazardous waste can potentially spill and pose a risk to workers and the environment. Proper disposal of hazardous waste is required at a permitted disposal site, with the required permits and notifications made to EPA. For information on hazardous waste, visit www.epa.gov/epaoswer/osw/hazwaste.htm.

Monday, September 15, 2008

Article on undercount of workplace injuries and illnesses


The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has issued an article (Monthly Labor Review, August 2008) that summarizes and critiques some studies on undercounting of workplace injuries and illnesses, and describes BLS efforts to better understand and address the undercount issue (see our June 27 post).

AED Recall: LifePak CR Plus Automated External Defibrillators

[Posted by the FDA on 09/11/2008] Physio Control, Inc., issued a recall of LifePak CR Plus Automated External Defibrillators (AED), used by emergency or medical personnel to treat adults in cardiopulmonary arrest. The product was recalled because the AED instructs the responder by voice prompts to press the shock button which is not visible because it is covered, thereby making the responder unable to provide shock therapy. The AED device should be removed from service, or the manufacturer-provided diagram should be consulted to remove and discard the shock button cover.

[September 11, 2008 - Full Recall Notice – FDA]

Thursday, September 11, 2008

CDC Updates Guidance for Bloodborne Pathogens After Mass-Casualty Events

From Occupational Health & Safety Online

August 8, 2008
Noting that health authorities in Israel and London have reported hepatitis B-infected tissue and bone fragments were found after suicide bombings and could have infected survivors and rescuers, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued new guidance for using immunizations and post-exposure prophylaxis for tetanus and bloodborne pathogens (including HBV, hepatitis C, and HIV) in people wounded in bombings or other mass-casualty events, whether explosions or natural disasters. (More...)

EPA Releases 2007 TRI Data Using the Electronic Facility Data Release (e-FDR)




Contact: Suzanne Ackerman, (202) 564-4355 / ackerman.suzanne@epa.gov

To better inform communities about releases of toxic chemicals from industrial facilities in their area, EPA today announced the availability of the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) facility-level data for 2007. This is the 5th annual Electronic Facility Data Release (e-FDR) and displays the TRI data exactly as received by EPA from the facilities - one form for each chemical at a facility. Many stakeholders have requested that EPA share TRI data sooner and in the format received, without waiting for further analysis. The "raw" data released today are not grouped in any way or are as easily searchable as the traditional Public Data Release (PDR), which also includes more quality checks, national trends and analysis. EPA will still publish the complete 2007 PDR in early 2009.

TRI provides American communities with vital information on chemical releases including disposal of chemicals. In addition, TRI tracks releases of chemicals and industrial sectors specified by the Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act of 1986. The Pollution Prevention Act of 1990 also mandates that facilities report data on other waste management activities such as treatment, recycling, and energy recovery. The e-FDR is now available at: http://www.epa.gov/tri-efdr

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Hazards of canned air

This one isn't exactly new, but some of these products may continue to contain hazards...

It's not just an urban legend: "canned air," or compressed-air-in-a-can used to clean keyboards and paper shredders may have hazardous properties and improper use could result in injuries.

The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries has put together an alert highlighting the issues of this common consumer product.

Proposal to strengthen penalties for PPE violations


The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is accepting public comments on a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) on Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and training standards. The proposal clarifies that when an OSHA standard requires an employer to provide PPE, such as respirators, or training to employees, the employer must do so for each employee subject to the requirement. Each employee not protected may be considered a separate violation for penalty purposes.

The proposed rule affects OSHA’s general industry, construction, and maritime standards. In many cases, OSHA combines separate violations of a single requirement in a standard into a single penalty. However, under the instance-by-instance penalty policy, OSHA may propose a separate penalty for each specific violation where the employer demonstrates a flagrant disregard for safety and health.

The proposed rule makes clear that failure to provide appropriate PPE or training may result in per-instance penalties in appropriate cases.

Public comments are being accepted until September 18.

The news release on proposed rule is here.

Friday, September 5, 2008

Codes and films

A couple of resources of interest came up in a recent SAFETY listserve posting:

Wisconsin Codes
: Building, electrical, energy, fire, fuel and gas, mechanical, and existing building. Includes standards.

OSHA films: The story is that these three films were produced late in the Carter administration. The new Reagan administration OSHA head thought them too pro-labor, recalled them and had them destroyed. Not all copies were returned, and they are now on the internet.

Thursday, September 4, 2008

Recall: Sony Notebook Computers

Sony Recalls Notebook Computers Due to Burn Hazard

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Certain VAIO TZ-series Notebook Computers

Units: About 73,000

Manufacturer: Sony Electronics Inc., of San Diego, Calif.

Hazard: Irregularly positioned wires near the computer’s hinge and/or a dislodged screw inside the hinge can cause a short circuit and overheating. This poses a burn hazard to consumers.


Check the US Consumer Product Commission's full notice of this recall.


Wednesday, September 3, 2008

DEA Controlled Substances Programs - Are You Compliant?

by Jennifer S. Bosselman, M.S.

dea logoMany researchers are aware of the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act of 1970, which stipulates that every person who manufactures, or conducts research or chemical analysis with controlled substances, must obtain an annual Certificate of Registration from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Department of Justice. (More....)

Friday, August 29, 2008

Art safety: a good streaming video

Bob Grieshaber (UW-Milwaukee) brought to my attention a streaming video on art safety in higher education art studios. Kudos to the creators of the video at Yale University and the Rhode Island School of Design. It is a very good twenty minute overview of safety hazards, and is targeted directly to artists.

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

EH&S Newsletters

[Note: an updated version of this posting will be available at our OSLP website.]

Sometimes, the delivery of environment, health and safety information to your target campus audience is best done via newletter. For those times, we provide the following examples from which to take inspiration. (If you would like your campus EH&S newsletter listed here, send your suggestion to our office.)

Newsletters from University of Wisconsin System campuses

River FallsRisk Management Safety Newsletter.

OshkoshShop Talk: A newsletter for and about facilities professionals at UW-Oshkosh keeps their facilities department employees up-to-date with the latest news and provides a safety tip in the “Safety Corner.” On the Facilities Management main page, links to the most recent Shop Talk editions are at the lower right of the page.

MadisonSafety First. A newsletter from the UW-Madison Department of Environment, Health and Safety for the campus community. [added Aug. 20 -- Lab Safety Spectrum & Radiation Review Newsletters]

Stevens PointSafety Notes is an occasional newsletter typically focusing on one EH&S topic.

Milwaukee—Go to the Environmental Affairs web page, and click the Newsletter link in the left column for the most recent edition.

Newsletters from other campuses

Here are links to a small sampling of newsletters from other colleges and universities:

Rutgers—Link to the spring 2008 edition of the REHS News. This was an award recipient at the CSHEMA conference in July 2008.

UC DavisSafety Signals.

Northwestern—Two newsletters: NUtrino: News and training for radiation workers at Northwestern University, and Research Safety News.

University of MarylandSafety Talk.

Case Western ReserveSafety Comes First.

Monday, August 18, 2008

Governor's Task Force on Global Warming

Governor Doyle signed Executive Order 191 bringing together a prominent and diverse group of key Wisconsin business, industry, government, energy and environmental leaders to create a Task Force on Global Warming. After examining the effects of, and solutions to, global warming in Wisconsin, the Task Force will create a state plan of action to reduce our state's greenhouse gas emissions. The Department of Natural Resources and the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC) are providing staff support to the Task Force. (More.... )

Friday, August 8, 2008

Artificial turf and lead: another agency chimes in

Earlier this year, we had the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issuing a health advisory for certain artificial turf surfaces. Now, the staff of the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) has concluded that young children are not at risk from exposure to lead in these fields. For those of you into wipe sampling methodology, the CPCS evaluation has some interesting details about the assumptions and limitations of the study underlying their conclusion.

Higher Education Act

On August 4, 2008, the Higher Education Act passed the House of Representatives and the Senate and is expected to be signed by President Bush shortly. Among the provisions are:

  • Under the Clery Act, procedures for emergency response, notification, and evacuation must be tested on an annual basis; however, these tests can be table-top tests or simulations.
  • Dropped from the Act’s language is the 30-minute requirement for notification of students, faculty, and staff during emergency situations. Also dropped is the proposed creation of a National Center for Campus Public Safety.
  • Colleges and universities will be required to report and track fires that cause personal or property damage.
More information is available at the URMIA website.

Thursday, August 7, 2008

Selecting and Maintaining Smoke Detectors

Fire and life safety engineers can avoid common problems by properly designing, installing, and maintaining ionization and photoelectric smoke detectors.
By AJ Sevast, SET, Consultant, RJA Group, Greenwood Village, Colo. -- Consulting-Specifying Engineer, 7/1/2008

Smoke detectors can have a lifecycle of up to 20 years if certain design and installation recommendations are followed and if annual maintenance is performed for each detector. Given the tight budget of many companies in today's economy, a reliable fire system can be one less budget issue and one less concern for the owner, operator, or lessee.
Generally, when fire systems fail, it is due to lack of planning and maintenance. The following describes common problems associated with detectors that can be avoided at different phases of fire system design, installation, and maintenance. (Read More.... )

Friday, August 1, 2008

DNR posts new Composting web pages


For facilities interested in composting food or yard waste: DNR recently posted new Web pages with information on composting at large-scale facilities and on farms. These pages give an overview of different composting methods, an explanation of Wisconsin's rules and regulations for composting operations, information on requirements for compost use and marketing, and links to additional resources. We hope these resources will raise awareness about the importance of composting yard materials, food scraps and other organics and provide the information businesses and local governments need to increase diversion of organic materials and produce good quality compost.
The new pages are available at
http://dnr.wi.gov/org/aw/wm/recycle/issues/compost.htm.
Source: DNR Waste and Materials Management program

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Former EPA Leader Offers Nanotechnology Oversight Roadmap

Nanotechnology will significantly change virtually every facet of the American lifestyle. The next president has the opportunity to shape these changes and to ensure that nanotechnology's benefits will be maximized and its risks identified and controlled.

A new report by former EPA official J. Clarence (Terry) Davies lays out a clear roadmap for the next presidential administration and describes the immediate and longer term steps necessary to deal with the current shortcomings of nanotechnology oversight. (Read more... )

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

U.S. Rushes to Change Workplace Toxin Rules


By Carol D. Leonnig
Washington Post Staff Writer Wednesday,
July 23, 2008; Page A01

Political appointees at the Department of Labor are moving with unusual speed to push through in the final months of the Bush administration a rule making it tougher to regulate workers' on-the-job exposure to chemicals and toxins (Read more...)


OSHA ruling kills UNR effort to recycle water

OSHA ruling kills UNR effort to recycle water
By Lenita Powers • lpowers@rgj.com • July 21, 2008

The University of Nevada, Reno's attempt to go green and save money by recycling more than a half-million gallons of water annually has been shot down by a disagreement with a state agency over a tiny pump. (Read more...)

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Recall: propane storage tank

Name of Product: Conversion Underground Propane Storage Tanks

Units: About 11,000

Manufacturer: American Welding & Tank LLC, of Jesup, Ga.

Hazard: An odorant is added to propane to help alert customers to propane leaks, but rust inside a propane tank can cause the odor to fade. Some converted above-ground to underground converted tanks can have an increased susceptibility to odor fade, causing consumers to be unable to detect the odor of propane in the event of a gas leak. This can pose a fire and burn hazard to consumers if there is a leak in the propane gas system.

Check the US Consumer Product Commission's full notice of this recall.


Monday, July 21, 2008

Recall: log splitters

Log Splitter Engines Recalled By American Honda Motor Co. Due to Fire Hazard

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Engines used in SpeeCo and Huskee Brand Log Splitters

Units: About 5,600

Manufacturer: American Honda Motor Corp., of Torrance, Calif.

Hazard: The engine’s fuel tank can crack and leak, posing a risk of fire or explosion.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: The recall involves Honda engines (model type GCV160LA N1A) used in Split Master by SpeeCo and Huskee brand log splitters. Only engine serial numbers between 5547012 and 6880908 are included in the recall. The serial number is located below the upper shroud near the oil dip-stick. The following models of log splitters are affected by the recall and are either silver/black or red/black colored.

Huskee Log Splitter SpeeCo Split Masters
LS401227TS (22 Ton)
LS401228NO (27 Ton)
LS401228SP (22 Ton)
LS401227NO (22 Ton)
LS401225NO (25 Ton)

Sold at: The log splitters with the recalled engines were sold at outdoor power equipment dealers and Tractor Supply stores nationwide from January 2007 through June 2008 for between $1,150 and $1,500.

Manufactured in: United States

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the affected log splitters and contact any Honda Lawn and Garden dealer or Honda Engine dealer for a free repair. Registered owners of the recalled log splitters will be mailed a notice.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Honda at (800) 426-7701 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.hondapowerequipment.com


Check the US Consumer Product Commission's full notice of this recall.

Friday, July 18, 2008

Laser Causes Partial Blindness in Ravers

Party laser 'blinds' Russian ravers
15:03 14 July 2008
NewScientist.com news service
Reuters and New Scientist staff

Dozens of partygoers at an outdoor rave near Moscow have been partially blinded after a laser light show burned their retinas, say Russian health officials. Moscow city health department officials say that 12 cases of laser blindness were recorded at the Central Ophthalmological Clinic in the city. The daily newspaper Kommersant reports that another 17 victims have registered at another hospital in the centre of the capital.

Ravers at the Aquamarine Open Air Festival in Kirzhach, 80 kilometres northeast of Moscow, began seeking medical help days after the show, complaining of eye and vision problems.
"They all have retinal burns, scarring is visible on them. Loss of vision in individual cases is as high as 80%, and regaining it is already impossible," Kommersant quoted a treating ophthalmologist as saying.

Forced indoors
Partygoers say heavy rains forced organisers to erect massive tents for the all-night dance party. The damage seems to have been caused when laser beams that were intended for outdoor use to illuminate the sky, were somehow turned or reflected onto the crowd.

"I immediately had a spot like when you stare into the sun," attendee Dmitry told Kommersant.
"After three days I decided to go to the hospital. They examined me, asked if I had been at Open Air, and then put me straight in the hospital. I didn't even get to go home and get my stuff," he said. Cosmic Connection, promoters of the Aquamarine rave, were unreachable for comment and did not list contact numbers on their website.

'Illiterate technicians'
Powerful lasers can cause eye damage instantly by burning the delicate light sensitive cells in the retina or by heating the fluid in the eye, causing a small steam explosion. Laser weapons that are intended to blind their victims were banned in 1998 by the United Nations but weapons that dazzle have so far escaped censure. The owner of a Moscow laser rental company, Valentin Vasiliev, says the accidental blindings were due to "illiteracy on the part of technicians".
"It was partly the rain, but also partly the size of the laser. Somebody set up an extremely powerful laser for such a small space," he says, adding that his company did not provide the lasers at the Aquamarine event.

Thursday, July 17, 2008

Safety workshop, Janesville

There will be a safety workshop in Janesville, WI on September 17. Organizations involved in the planning that we work with include OSHA, Lab Safety Supply, and the Heartland Safety and Health Education Center at UW-Whitewater (go Warhawks!).

Topics scheduled to be covered include:

Electrical Safe Work Practices
Ergonomic Design Guidelines
Substance Abuse Testing
Liability in the health & safety arena
Contractor Safety
Job Safety Analysis (JSA)
Confined Space Entry
Early Return to Work
PPE policy

For more information, check out the brochure.

Friday, July 11, 2008

Bucket, Ladder, Nail


Three Canadian maritime provinces* got together with The Extreme Group to produce three memorable thirty second safety commercials. The commercial "Nail" won a Bronze Lion in the Product and Service, public health and safety category at the 2008 Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival. The commercials complement the Workers' Compensation Board of Nova Scotia Work Safe For Life web site.

*Workers' Compensation Board of Nova Scotia , Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Commission of Newfoundland and Labrador, and the Worker's Compensation Board of Prince Edward Island.


Wednesday, July 9, 2008

Practical Steps to Zero Waste

Here is a notice about a webinar on Tuesday, July 15.

"Practical Steps to Zero Waste"

Tuesday - July 15, 2008
12:00 pm Eastern/9:00 am Pacific
Approximate duration: 90 minutes

A Presentation of the CURC Webinar Series

While many colleges and universities across the nation work to build and expand recycling programs, a growing number of schools are looking to the next level at ways to reduce and perhaps one day eliminate all their trash. Zero waste has become a common buzz word in recycling circles, but what does it mean? More importantly, how does it translate to the realities of a large institution managing its waste stream in the real world. This webinar from the College and University Recycling Council (CURC) will answer some of these basic questions about the zero waste concept as well as provide examples of schools that are working to implement policies and practices that move them closer to that ultimate goal.

For more information and to register, visit: http://nrc-recycle.org/zerowaste.aspx


How much will it cost you? It depends... A note from Eileen Norby

This webinar is free for AROW/NRC members. Current UW campus members are UW-Madison, UW-Oshkosh, UW-Stevens Point, UW-Extension and UW System Administration. The cost of the webinar to non-members is $35. For information about joining the Associated Recyclers of Wisconsin (AROW), which includes membership in the National Recycling Coalition, please go see the attached brochure, or visit AROW's website at:
http://www.arow-online.org/index.html

The cost for an AROW government membership is $95. If you have any questions about AROW or NRC, feel free to give me a call.
-Eileen Norby, 608-262-8252

Broken CFL's and use of nanomaterial sorbents

Wondering how to effectively capture mercury vapor for broken compact fluorescent lamps (CFL's)? If you said yes, you are in the same group as Natalie Johnson at the Superfund Basic Research Program (SBRP) laboratory of Robert Hurt, Ph.D. (director of the Institute for Molecular and Nanoscale Innovation at Brown University). Natalie is the lead author on a new study reporting the lab’s latest findings, titled “Mercury Vapor Release from Broken Compact Fluorescent Lamps and In Situ Capture by New Nanomaterial Sorbents” (in press, Environmental Science and Technology).

You can read a write-up of their study in the July 2008 edition of the NIEHS Environmental Factor. Among their findings: a few of the common sorbents, such as powdered sulfur or zinc, require greater than 10 kilograms to treat vapor release for a single CFL, while small quantities of other sorbents (for instance, nano-silver and sulfur-impregnated activated carbon forms) require less than 1 gram of sorbent to capture the vapor.

Contact information


Office of Safety and Loss Prevention
University of Wisconsin System Administration
(608) 262-4792
 
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