EHS TODAY WEEKLY UPDATE Penton Media February 26, 2009 If you want to view this on the web go to: http://enews.penton.com/enews/ehstoday/v/6 THIS WEEK'S NEWS --1. Solis Confirmed as Secretary of Labor In an 80-17 vote on Feb. 24, the Senate confirmed Rep. Hilda Solis as labor secretary in a development well received by many organized labor and workplace health and safety advocates. To view the full article go to: http://ehstoday.com/safety/news/Solis_confirmed_labor_secretary/ --2. BP Agrees to Pay Nearly $180 Million to Settle Clean Air Violations BP Products North America Inc. has agreed to spend more than $161 million on pollution controls, enhanced maintenance and monitoring and improved internal management practices to resolve Clean Air Act violations at its Texas City, Texas, refinery, EPA and the U.S. Justice Department announced. The company also will pay a $12 million civil penalty and spend $6 million on a supplemental project to reduce air pollution in Texas City. To view the full article go to: http://ehstoday.com/environment/news/bp-settle-clean-air-1392/ --3. NRR: Now Really Relevant In an effort to bring the noise reduction rating for hearing protection more in line with real-world usage, the Environmental Protection Agency is expected to announce a change in rating systems very soon. Are you ready? To view the full article go to: http://enews.penton.com/enews/ehstoday/weeklyupdate/2009_02_26_ehs_today_22609/2_nrr_now_really_relevant --4. Top 10 Tips for More Effective EHS Training Take your training methods from blah to brilliant with these 10 tips. To view the full article go to: http://ehstoday.com/training/top_tips_effective/ ---------------------------------------- ADVERTISEMENT Portable, Self-Testing Grounding & Bonding Assembly Meets Heavy-Duty Applications The popular self-testing Bond-Rite EZ, portable static grounding and bonding assembly is now available equipped with a heavy-duty stainless steel clamp able to provide reliable service in applications where permanent ground connections would be impractical. The new clamp is fitted with a carbide-tooth spring-jaw grip to clamp onto virtually any surface, including corroded or painted surfaces. The new heavy-duty EZ clamp, like its general-application predecessor, is a self-contained device which provides, and continuously verifies, a low-resistance bonding connection. For additional information, contact: Newson Gale Inc., 1072 Madison Ave., Lakewood, NJ 08701. Phone: 732-987-7715. E-Mail: groundit@newson-gale.com. Website: http://www.newson-gale.com ---------------------------------------- --5. Area Workers' Comp Agency Asks Employers: How Low Can You Go? It's a question surprisingly few employers are able to answer: How low can you get your workers' compensation modification score to go? To view the full article go to: http://ehstoday.com/health/workers-compensation/workers_comp_modification_score_6765/ --6. OSHA Orders Air Carrier to Pay $400,000 to Employee Terminated for Raising Safety Concerns OSHA has ordered Southern Air Inc., a cargo airline headquartered in Norwalk, Conn., to pay more than $400,000 in lost wages, back pay, damages and legal fees to compensate a flight crew member who was terminated for raising safety concerns protected under the Wendell H. Ford Aviation Investment and Reform Act for the 21st Century (AIR21). To view the full article go to: http://ehstoday.com/standards/osha/osha-air-carrier-employee-6133/ Ansell - Pop Quiz Challenge (http://popquiz.ehstoday.com/AnsellPopquiz_Feb09/)Ansell Pop Quiz Challenge (http://popquiz.ehstoday.com/AnsellPopquiz_Feb09/)I’m here to challenge you again. If you can answer the questions correctly, then you just might be as intelligent as I am. Take the challenge and let's find out! Entries with all five correct answers are automatically entered into a drawing to win a $50 Mastercard Gift Card! Here's a sneak peek at questions 3&4. 3. Which of the following descriptive is NOT a characteristic to consider when purchasing hand protection? a. Dexterity and tactile sensitivity b. Productivity increase and performance (wear, grip etc) c. Comfort and fit d. All are important when considering hand protection 4. Factors that contribute to glove comfort include: a. Unrestricted movement of hand and fingers b. “Coolness” against the skin c. Overall look of glove when on the hand d. Both A and B e. Both B and C f. None of the above Take the quiz today! (http://popquiz.ehstoday.com/AnsellPopquiz_Feb09/) ---------------------------------------- FREE ON DEMAND WEBINAR - OSHA Compliance The best way to beat an OSHA citation is to never get one at all. One of the nation's top attorneys specializing in OSHA compliance and a consultant who works with companies to eliminate workplace conditions that could lead to OSHA citations offer sound, free advice about complying with OSHA standards. Register at https://event.on24.com/eventRegistration/EventLobbyServlet?target=regist ration.jsp&eventid=131265&sessionid=1&key=3EE55C79FE330D72052ED774886619A3&sourcepage=register ---------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------- ESC is experienced with lockout-tagout compliance. LOTO Procedures, Annual Audits, Employee Training, and Corporate Policy...total Lockout-Tagout OSHA compliance guaranteed: quick, easy and cost effective. http://www.escservices.com ---------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------- Real time dust monitoring from Casella USA The Microdust Pro monitor provides a direct reading of dust concentrations using an optical sensor that shows the average and max levels during a measurement. Data logging and live link to pc are standard features for the Microdust. Kit supplied with all standard accessories for easy to use measurements. Switch on and go. http://www.casellausa.com ---------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------- (https://event.on24.com/eventRegistration/EventLobbyServlet?target=registration.jsp&eventid=131265&sessionid=1&key=3EE55C79FE330D72052ED774886619A3&sourcepage=register) ---------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------- Health Promotion on a Budget Who says getting in shape and staying healthy requires a fat budget? In this podcast, experts suggest some low-cost ways to keep workers healthy and productive... To listen to the podcast, visit http://ehstoday.com/podcasts/health_promotion/ ---------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------- Are Your Employees Ready for an Emergency? Let the American Red Cross Help Learn about new offerings from the American Red Cross that will help your employees prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. And the new Emergency Response Center provides a comprehensive first aid solution that can be customized for the specific safety needs of your workplace. Visit, http://ehstoday.com/video/american_red_cross_emergency_planning/ ---------------------------------------- ABOUT THIS NEWSLETTER This eNewsletter was sent to: #email# Click below to start your own subscription to EHS Today's Weekly E-Newsletter: http://ehstoday.com/subscribe/ To unsubscribe: http://email.occupationalhazards.com/webforms/newsletter/unsub/?email=#email#&lid=#list_id#&mid=#message_id# Copyright 2009 Penton Media, Inc. EHS Today 1300 E. 9th Street Cleveland, OH 44114