Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Nanotechnology: carbon nanotubes

Click on the title link below to view the NIOSH article on employee protection similarities between carbon nanotubes and asbestos.

Nanotechnology: Should carbon nanotubes be handled in the workplace like asbestos?


via NIOSH Science Blog on 5/20/08

Posted May 20, 2008, by Vladimir V. Murashov, Ph.D. Do the nanoparticles used in nanotechnology pose unintended risks of illness or injury for workers employed in the industry? The NIOSH Science Blog looks at one nanomaterial - carbon nanotubes-- and discusses new research findings about their similarities to asbestos and how they should be handled in the workplace to protect workers.

Counterfeit Circuit Breakers Recalled

NEWS from CPSC

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

Office of Information and Public Affairs Washington, DC 20207

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 27, 2008
Release #08-286

Firm’s Recall Hotline: (866) 650-3076
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908


Counterfeit Circuit Breakers Recalled By Specialty Lamp International 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: Counterfeit Circuit Breakers labeled as “Square D”

Units: About 371,000

Distributor: Specialty Lamp International Inc., of Deerfield Beach, Fla.

Hazard: The recalled circuit breakers labeled “Square D” have been determined by Square D to be counterfeit and can fail to trip when they are overloaded, posing a fire hazard to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: The counterfeit circuit breakers are black and are labeled as Square D QO-series models 115, 120, 130, 215, 220, 230, 240, 250, 260 and 2020 and Square D QOB-series models 115, 120, 130, 220, 230, 250, 260 and 1515. Actual Square D circuit breakers have (a) the amp rating written on the handle in white paint on the front of the breaker (authentic Square D circuit breakers manufactured prior to 2003 did not have white paint on the amperage numbers); (b) the Square D insignia molded onto the breaker side, and; (c) a yellow chromate mounting clip with half of the top of the clip visible. If your breaker, labeled as Square D, does not match this description, it could be counterfeit.

Sold by: Electrical product distributors nationwide from May 2005 through June 2006 for between $3 and $23.

Manufactured in: China or Unknown

Remedy: Consumers should contact Specialty to determine if the breaker they have is counterfeit and to arrange for a free inspection and replacement or refund if necessary.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Specialty at (866) 650-3076 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET, by email bart@specialty-lamp.com, or visit the company’s Web site at www.ebulb.net. This is not a Square D Company recall.

Picture of Genuine Square D Circuit Breaker
Genuine Square D Circuit Breaker

Picture of Genuine Square D Circuit BreakerA Genuine Circuit Breaker
has a white painted amp
rating on the toggle switch.



Picture of Recalled Counterfeit Circuit Breaker


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Send the link for this page to a friend! The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of serious injury or death from more than 15,000 types of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction. Deaths, injuries and property damage from consumer product incidents cost the nation more than $800 billion annually. The CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical, or mechanical hazard. The CPSC's work to ensure the safety of consumer products - such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters, and household chemicals - contributed significantly to the decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 30 years.

To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury, call CPSC's hotline at (800) 638-2772 or CPSC's teletypewriter at (800) 638-8270, or visit CPSC's web site at www.cpsc.gov/talk.html. To join a CPSC email subscription list, please go to https://www.cpsc.gov/cpsclist.aspx. Consumers can obtain this release and recall information at CPSC's Web site at www.cpsc.gov.

Electrical power strip recall



Recall Alert

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

Office of Information and Public Affairs

Washington, DC 20207


April 16, 2008
Alert #08-557


HSN Recalls Power Strips for Charge-It-All Valets Due to Fire and Shock Hazards

The following product safety recall was voluntarily conducted by the firm in cooperation with the CPSC. Consumers should stop using the product immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Charge-It-All Valets

Units: About 17,000

Retailer: HSN LP, of St. Petersburg, Fla.

Distributor: Ingenious Designs LLC, of Englewood, New York

Hazard: The power strip located inside the valet has undersized wires, which can pose fire and shock hazards to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported

Description: This recall involves the power strips sold with the medium and large Joy Mangano Charge-It-All Valets. The valet is a box with divided compartments that comes with a power strip that allows the user to recharge and organize items such as cell phones, mp3 players, PDAs and cameras in a single location. The medium valet comes with a 3-receptacle power strip and the large valet comes with a 6-receptacle power strip. The letters J and M are printed in cursive under the valet.

Sold by: HSN LP, exclusively, from October 2007 through January 2008 for about $50 for the large valet and $40 for the medium valet.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the power strip. HSN LP will provide a replacement power strip and an in-store refund of $5. HSN LP will pay for all shipping charges to return the product. HSN is directly contacting consumers with the recalled units.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, call HSN toll-free at (888) 540-7052 between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit the company's website at www.hsn.com

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Send the link for this page to a friend! The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of serious injury or death from more than 15,000 types of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction. Deaths, injuries and property damage from consumer product incidents cost the nation more than $800 billion annually. The CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical, or mechanical hazard. The CPSC's work to ensure the safety of consumer products - such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters, and household chemicals - contributed significantly to the decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 30 years.

To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury, call CPSC's hotline at (800) 638-2772 or CPSC's teletypewriter at (800) 638-8270, or visit CPSC's web site at www.cpsc.gov/talk.html. To join a CPSC email subscription list, please go to https://www.cpsc.gov/cpsclist.aspx. Consumers can obtain this release and recall information at CPSC's Web site at www.cpsc.gov.


Online tool to check hearing protection

To help you get the most from your hearing protectors, researchers at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health’s (NIOSH) Pittsburgh Research Laboratory developed QuickFitWeb, an online tool to check your hearing protection in a minute or less.

To read more about, check the following links:

NIOSH Science Blog entry on the topic

Test and instructions

NFPA 2009 Code Changes

At the NFPA World Safety Conference & Exposition® in June, the NFPA membership will consider technical changes to 15 codes and standards. Here are significant changes to four of them:

NFPA Journal®, May/June 2008

Backpack blower recall




NEWS from CPSC

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

Office of Information and Public Affairs

Washington, DC 20207


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 15, 2008
Release #08-271

Firm’s Recall Hotline: (800) 521-7733
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

Shindaiwa Corp. Recalls Backpack Blowers Due to Laceration and Impact Hazards

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: Shindaiwa Backpack Blowers

Units: About 23,000

Importer: Shindaiwa Corp., of Tualatin, Ore

Manufacturer: Shindaiwa Kogyo Co. Ltd, of Hiroshima, Japan

Hazard: The blower’s impeller (fan) can separate from the base and break apart, causing plastic pieces to be blown out of the machine, and pose a laceration and impact hazard to consumers. The flying pieces also can cause property damage and injury to bystanders. Note: These backpack blowers were previously recalled due to a fire hazard.

Incidents/Injuries: Shindaiwa is aware of 13 incidents involving broken impellers. One incident involved a minor head injury and minor property damage to a nearby automobile.

Description: This recall involves Shindaiwa Models EB8510 and EB8510RT. All models up to serial # 7014728 are included. The backpack blowers weigh approximately 24 pounds and include Serial Numbers through February 2007 production (S/N 702XXXX) which are located on the side label. These machines are black and blue with a red and black label that reads, “EB8510, Shindaiwa.”

Sold by: Shindaiwa dealers nationwide from September 2005 through January 2007 for about $600.

Manufactured in: Japan

Remedy: Consumers should stop using the backpack blowers immediately and contact Shindaiwa for the closest dealer location to schedule a free inspection and impeller replacement. Consumers who have registered their equipment should have already received correspondence from Shindaiwa about this recall.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Shindaiwa at (800) 521-7733 between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. PT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.shindaiwa.com

Picture of Recalled Shindaiwa Backpack BlowerPicture of Recalled Shindaiwa Backpack Blower
Send the link for this page to a friend! The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of serious injury or death from more than 15,000 types of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction. Deaths, injuries and property damage from consumer product incidents cost the nation more than $800 billion annually. The CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical, or mechanical hazard. The CPSC's work to ensure the safety of consumer products - such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters, and household chemicals - contributed significantly to the decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 30 years.

To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury, call CPSC's hotline at (800) 638-2772 or CPSC's teletypewriter at (800) 638-8270, or visit CPSC's web site at www.cpsc.gov/talk.html. To join a CPSC email subscription list, please go to https://www.cpsc.gov/cpsclist.aspx. Consumers can obtain this release and recall information at CPSC's Web site at www.cpsc.gov.


Air compressor recall

Recall Alert

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Office of Information and Public Affairs
Washington, DC 20207
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 31, 2008
Release #08-181
Firm’s Recall Hotline: (800) 241-0448
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

Campbell Hausfeld Recalls Air Compressors Following Fires

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: Campbell Hausfeld and Husky Air Compressors

Units: About 233,000

Importer: Campbell Hausfeld, of Harrison, Ohio

Hazard: Protective covers on the compressor’s motor are not made from proper flame retardant material and can ignite, posing a fire hazard to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: The firm has received 11 reports of fires. No injuries have been reported.

Description: The recall involves the following Campbell Hausfeld and Husky brand air compressors:

Capacity

Model Numbers

Serial Numbers

8-15 gallon

HL410100, HL421000, HL421500, HL431500

The first four digits of the serial number indicate a date codefrom July 2005 (0705) through March 2007 (0307)

4 gallon

HL5402

Have a prefix of HY, KB, or HU followed by a date code from November 2006 (1106) through November 2007 (1107)


The model and serial number are located on the back of the tank.

Sold at: Home improvement and hardware stores nationwide from September 2005 through November 2007 for between $170 and $200.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should stop using the air compressor immediately and contact Campbell Hausfeld for a free repair kit.

Consumer Contact: For further information, contact Campbell Hausfeld at (800) 241-0448 between 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's Web site at www.chpower.com




Picture of Recalled Air Compressors




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Send the link for this page to a friend! The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of serious injury or death from more than 15,000 types of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction. Deaths, injuries and property damage from consumer product incidents cost the nation more than $800 billion annually. The CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical, or mechanical hazard. The CPSC's work to ensure the safety of consumer products - such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters, and household chemicals - contributed significantly to the decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 30 years.

To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury, call CPSC's hotline at (800) 638-2772 or CPSC's teletypewriter at (800) 638-8270, or visit CPSC's web site at www.cpsc.gov/talk.html. To join a CPSC email subscription list, please go to https://www.cpsc.gov/cpsclist.aspx. Consumers can obtain this release and recall information at CPSC's Web site at www.cpsc.gov.


OSHA publishes guidance on respirators, facemasks

In light of a possible influenza pandemic, OSHA has released a proposed guidance document on workplace stockpiling of respirators and facemasks. The document aims to assist employers in purchasing and stockpiling decisions. OSHA is accepting comment on the document until July 8.

From National Safety Council

Contact information


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