More Fines For UCLA

An additional $97,000 in fines for lax laboratory safety practices has been assessed against the University of California, Los Angeles, by a state agency.

The school's department of chemistry and biochemistry has been under scrutiny since a Dec. 29, 2008, laboratory fire led to the death of chemistry researcher Sheharbano (Sheri) Sangji (C&EN, Aug. 3, 2009, page 29). The California Division of Occupational Safety & Health (Cal/OSHA) investigated the incident and fined the university $31,875 in May 2009 (C&EN, May 11, 2009, page 7). (More...)

LEGIONELLOSIS, NOSOCOMIAL - USA: (WISCONSIN)

A ProMED-mail Date: Sat 13 Mar 2010 Source: WISN.com

Health officials said there could be a possible outbreak of the respiratory illness Legionnaires' disease at a Cudahy hospital. Sof ar, at least 8 people have come down with the illness. Of the 8 cases, 6 had some contact with Aurora Saint Luke's South ShoreHospital, 5900 S. Lake Drive.(More)

Medical practice needlesticks

Here's an interesting article from the New York Times on the safety culture around needle injuries in the medical profession, complete with time and peer pressure issues that are present with other safety concerns.

Link: http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/12/03/a-silent-epidemic-of-needle-injuries/

Asbestos at U.S. university investigated

http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2010/03/02/Asbestos-at-US-university-investigated/UPI-35051267577232/
Published: March. 2, 2010 at 7:47 PM

HARTFORD, Conn., March 2 (UPI) -- University of Connecticut authorities may have violated federal law when workers disposed of asbestos-laden material during a renovation, officials say.

Employees renovating the office of President Michael Hogan threw old flooring held together with asbestos-containing mastic out the office window, The Hartford (Conn.) Courant reported Tuesday.

School officials allegedly acknowledge they violated OSHA and federal Environmental Protection Agency standards for removal of asbestos, the newspaper said.

One of the violations alleges no inspection was completed to see if there was asbestos under the floor before it was removed.

Others include the unsafe disposal of asbestos particles into the air, asbestos-laden debris tossed out without being properly bagged and asbestos disturbance occurring without any employee monitoring, the Courant said.

In December six employees of the university's facilities management department were given emergency medical screening the results of which are confidential.

"The safety and well-being of university personnel is a paramount concern. As a result of the university's own investigation, its office of Environmental Health and Safety is working with facilities personnel to ensure compliance with all rules and regulations regarding asbestos," spokesman Michael Kirk said.

Biodiesel Process Uses Catalytically Active Particles

Feb 23, 2010
Sachtleben, a unit of Rockwood Holdings Inc. and a producer of specialty titanium dioxide and functional additives, has developed catalytically active particles that may revolutionize the production of biofuels using sustainable and environmentally friendly means. (More...)

Noise and ototoxic substances

Next item to be placed into my "Read This" folder comes from the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work. It is a literature review entitled, Combined Exposure to Noise and Ototoxic Substances.

"Workers are commonly exposed to multiple agents. Physiological interactions with some mixed exposures can lead to an increase in the severity of a harmful effect. This applies not only to the combination of interfering chemical substances but in certain cases to the co-action of chemical and physical factors as well. Hence, it is obvious that the effects of ototoxic substances on ear function can be aggravated by noise, which remains a well-established cause of hearing impairment."

Link: http://osha.europa.eu/en/publications/literature_reviews/combined-exposure-to-noise-and-ototoxic-substances

Aerial work platform guidance

Several industry groups associated with aerial work platform equipment joined to create a Statement of Best Practices of General Training and Familiarization for Aerial Work Platform (AWP) Equipment.

Intent of this initiative is to:

• Educate the industry on the industry-recognized-and supported standards, including the American National Standards Institute/Scaffold Industry Association (ANSI/SIA) A92 Standards and the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) regulations.
• Present best practices and minimum general training guidelines for AWP equipment
• operators.
• Emphasize the differences between general training and familiarization.
• Clarify minimum qualifications of the trainer.

Links: http://www.ipaf.org/fileadmin/user_upload/documents/us/AWP_BPG_2010.pdf