EHS TODAY WEEKLY UPDATE Penton Media November 5, 2009 If you want to view this on the web go to: http://enews.penton.com/enews/ehstoday/v/48 THIS WEEK'S NEWS --1. OSHA Proposes Record $87 Million in Fines Against BP More than 4 years after the deadly BP Texas City refinery blast killed 15 workers and injured more than 170, OSHA has proposed a record-breaking $87,430,000 in fines against BP Products North America Inc. for the failure to correct potential hazards faced by employees. This is the largest fine proposed in OSHA's history. To view the full article go to: http://ehstoday.com/standards/osha/osha-proposes-record-fines-bp-1030/ ---------------------------------------- ADVERTISEMENT All injuries and workplace illnesses are preventable. 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BP Texas City Refinery Contests OSHA Citations BP Products North America Inc. is contesting all citations proposed by OSHA on Oct. 30, including alleged violations and proposed penalties, abatement actions and abatement dates, and stressed that the company has taken significant steps to improve process safety performance. To view the full article go to: http://ehstoday.com/standards/osha/bp-texas-city-refinery-contests-citations-1411/ --3. OSHA's Barab Testifies about State-Plan States Before Congress Jordan Barab, acting assistant secretary for OSHA, told a Congressional committee that the serious shortcomings discovered during his agency's evaluation of the Nevada Occupational Safety and Health Administration's safety program raised concerns about federal OSHA's monitoring of all state plan states. To view the full article go to: http://ehstoday.com/standards/osha/barab-testifies-state-plan-congress-5678/ --4. National Hearing Conservation Association Petitions OSHA to Lower Permissible Exposure Limits for Noise Citing the fact that nearly 22 million American workers are exposed to hazardous noise on a daily basis and that occupational hearing loss continues to plague industry, the National Hearing Conservation Association (NHCA) has made a request to OSHA to reduce the permissible exposure limit (PEL) for noise exposures. To view the full article go to: http://ehstoday.com/ppe/hearing-protection/hearing-conservation-permissible-exposure-0122/ --5. 9/11 Responders Twice as Likely to Have Asthma First responders who were exposed to caustic dust and toxic pollutants following the 2001 World Trade Center (WTC) terrorist attacks suffer from asthma at more than twice the rate of the general U.S. population, according to Mount Sinai School of Medicine researchers. To view the full article go to: http://ehstoday.com/fire_emergencyresponse/news/911-responders-asthma-1104/ --6. Contractor Pleads Guilty to Workers_ Comp Fraud, Other Charges The owner of Master's Touch Drywall pled guilty to felony theft of sales tax and workers' compensation fraud, and agreed to pay more than $2.1 million in restitution to the state of Washington. To view the full article go to: http://ehstoday.com/health/workers-compensation/contractor-pleads-guilty-workers-comp-fraud-charges-6313/ Medic First Aid - Pop Quiz Challenge (http://popquiz.ehstoday.com/FirstAid411WorkplaceSafetyPopQuiz/)First Aid 411 -- Workplace Safety Quiz (http://popquiz.ehstoday.com/FirstAid411WorkplaceSafetyPopQuiz/) Welcome! The best emergency care happens before there's an emergency. Are you prepared? Test your workplace safety savvy and you could win an Apple® iPod® touch! Here is a sneak peek at questions 1&2. 1. What industry accounts for the highest percentage of workplace fatalities? a. Construction b. Manufacturing c. Natural Resources & Mining d. Trade, Transportation and Utilities 2. Which types of workplaces are required by OSHA to have trained first aid providers? a. 10 or more employees b. 25 or more employees c. High-risk occupations, such as manufacturing and utilities d. Any workplace of any size if there is no infirmary, clinic or hospital in near proximity Take the Workplace Safety Quiz Today! (http://popquiz.ehstoday.com/FirstAid411WorkplaceSafetyPopQuiz/) FEATURED STOREFRONT (http://ehstoday.com/storefronts/bulwark/products/)Bulwark is one of the leading suppliers of secondary flame-resistant apparel to the North American industrial market, primarily serving the electric utility and petrochemical segments through the innovative designs, manufacturing, and marketing of the broadest range of apparel products, as well as through superior technical service. CLICK HERE (http://ehstoday.com/storefronts/bulwark/products/) to view Bulwarks' top products, download popular articles and view their most recent catalogs. ---------------------------------------- Plant Maintenance and Safety https://event.on24.com/eventRegistration/EventLobbyServlet?target=registration.jsp&eventid=131265&sessionid=1&key=3EE55C79FE330D72052ED774886619A3&sourcepage=register Date: Wednesday, December 9,, 2009 Time: 2:00pm ET / 11:00am PT Experts offer tips to improve machine guarding, lockout/tagout programs, initiate spill control programs and improve lighting. Complying with the OSHA, EPA and ANSI standards related to these workplace safety concerns can save lives, improve workplace safety and improve productivity -- learn how! Register Today at https://event.on24.com/eventRegistration/EventLobbyServlet?target=registration.jsp&eventid=131265&sessionid=1&key=3EE55C79FE330D72052ED774886619A3&sourcepage=register ---------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------- Our newest innovation...a Safety Sack Opener The Easysafe features a patented cutting head design allowing for easy initiation of the cut while maintaining blade contact with the material, even on single layers of film or paper. --- Martor USA http://infox.hotims.com/24177-29499 ------------------------------------------------ Built for safety professionals by safety professionals, PureSafety's new, web-based Learning and Safety Management System (LSMS) gives you the powerful management tools you need to simplify and centralize your training, safety and compliance programs. --- PureSafety http://infox.hotims.com/24177-29498 ---------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------- Bifocal Safety Glasses Elvex RX-200, is our second generation of bifocal safety glasses, and we have combined the requirement for bifocal lenses with the desire for stylish, lightweight and comfortable glasses. The frame is made from transparent gray Polycarbonate and has a soft rubber nose bridge and rubber tipped temples. --- Elvex http://infox.hotims.com/24177-29502 ------------------------------------------------- HAZ-SCANNER_ Model HIM-6000 Hazardous Incident Air Quality Monitoring System Easily portable and deployable real-time ambient air quality monitor designed to measure and document critical hazardous air parameters for regulatory compliance, emergency response, homeland security,& waste site monitoring. Can provide up to 14 simultaneous air measurements including VOC, atomic radiation, bio chemicals, sound, and more. Telemetry up to 10 miles to any PC. --- Environmental Devices http://infox.hotims.com/24177-29501 ------------------------------------------------- HeatTrak(R) Snow and Ice Melting Mats HeatTrak manufactures outdoor heated mats designed to keep your facility safe by preventing snow and ice accumulation on walkways and stairs. The company's products plug into any standard 120V or 240V outlet generating heat to melt snow at a rate of 2" per hour. Mats are built with non-slip, UV protected rubber, and are designed to be left outside for the entire winter season. --- HeatTrak http://infox.hotims.com/24177-29500 ---------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------- Incentive and Reward Programs In this special podcast edition, EHS Today turns the microphone over to the experts at ProAct Safety to discuss how to effectively transition from safety incentive programs to safety reward programs. Download or Listen Now at http://ehstoday.com/podcasts/incentive-reward-programs-1006/ ---------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------- View the Bios' Products Video. Bios products are trusted by flow professionals because of their exceptional accuracy, reliability and ease of operations. Visit, http://ehstoday.com/video/bios-products-video/ ---------------------------------------- ABOUT THIS NEWSLETTER This eNewsletter was sent to: #email# Privacy Policy concerning links within this newsletter: From time to time our sponsors wish to contact our subscribers who have indicated an interest in the products, services or events publicized in a particular newsletter. If you have clicked through on a sponsored link in this newsletter, your contact information will be shared with that sponsor. If you DO NOT wish to have your contact information shared with this newsletter's sponsors, please click this link: https://home.smart-login.net/cscspref/GenericPref.aspx?O22.1.42662 or contact our customer service department at the number/email listed below. 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