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...)
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.
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
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.
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 |
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.
Posts
All Comments
