Hazardous Materials

  The CSB has made the following OBSERVATIONS and PRELIMINARY findings to date, which are subject to further revision and development as the investigation unfolds:… Membership Required You must be a member to access this content.View Membership LevelsAlready a member? Log in here...

The IRSST just published a method of measuring nanoparticles penetration through protective gloves. With the exponential growth in industrial applications of nanotechnologies and the corresponding increased risk of occupational exposure to nanomaterials, adoption of the precautionary principle is advisable. To apply this principle, personal protective equipment against nanoparticles must be made available, even though it…...

The IRSST just published a guide for safe use of isocyanates. The guide is intended for anyone working in the field of occupational health and safety. It is designed to educate, inform and raise awareness, and has no regulatory value. Readers will come to understand the chemical hazards associated with isocyanates and will be able…...

Let’ not fool ourselves or let the media attempt to fool us!  As safety professionals, we all know that the LACK OF INSPECTION by either OSHA or EPA played NO ROLE in the tragic accident in West, TX.  Just ask yourself this simple question:  How many accident investigations have you conducted and determined that a…...

Since the tragic loss of life in the West Fertilizer explosion, the topic of access to “safety codes/standards” and their “availability” has been brewing underground once again.  But with regards to Ammonium Nitrate (AN) safety, there is NO EXCUSE, as the three (3) MOST reputable safety organizations: 1) NFPA, 2) FM Global, and 3) International…...

Reps. George Miller (D-Calif.) and Joe Courtney (D-Conn.) have requested that the Government Accountability Office (GAO) investigate gaps in regulatory oversight of the West, Texas fertilizer plant where an April 17 explosion killed 15 and injured more than 200. Miller, the senior Democratic member of the Education and the Workforce Committee, and Courtney, the senior Democratic member of…...

There have been many questions as to how the ammonium nitrate at the West, TX fertilizer distributor could have blown up.  Investigators have still not stated with 100% certainty that the explosion involved AN, but it is my belief they are just crossing all their “t’s” and dotting all their “i’s” before stating this.  Unless…...

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) has announced that the increased maximum civil penalties for safety violations of Federal hazardous materials transportation law and the regulations issued under that law that lead to death, serious injuries or extensive property damage are now in effect. The increased penalties are being…...