On August 31, 2007, a release of ammonia occurred at the company’s Waterloo Facility during the transfer of ammonia via a “pump out” line. This release resulted in the death of one employee and the permanent disability of a second employee. Based on EPA’s investigation of the 2007 accident, the Complaint alleges violations of Section […]
Recently OSHA has been making waves in the “incentive program” arena and in most cases, rightfully so! But incentive programs DO WORK when they are IMPLEMENTED and MEASURED PROPERLY! The big concern with incentives is that the employer puts too much emphasis on the end results and NOT ON the SAFETY PROCESS that produces the
Many THANKS to my NEWEST and RENEWING Corporate Partners in Safety… since 2013 returning from 2007 since 2004 since 2013 2013 Fatality Tracker Electrical 10 (2012 = 68) (2011 = 81) (2010 = 90) (2009 = 100) Forklift/Manlift 23 (2012 = 52) (2011 = 84) (2010 = 110) (2009 = 88) Mining* 35 (2012
In September 2010, a male worker (Victim I), 48, employed by a village Department of Public Works (DPW) and a male volunteer firefighter (Victim II), 51, of the village Fire Department (FD) died after entering a sewer manhole. The manhole was located behind the firehouse. The Fire Chief and a firefighter were called in by
A male food production worker, 54, who a pizza dough manufacturing facility employed, sustained fatal injuries due to deep neck lacerations made by a steel blade on a dough machine. On the day of the incident, the victim and a co-worker were assigned to clean two dough machines, an “elevator” and a “divider”. The “elevator”
Two chemical plant operators, 40 and 50, died after suffering burns to their bodies when a runaway reaction caused an explosion of flammable liquids. The two victims were working in a building which contained several tanks of chemicals. An employee in an adjacent area reported an ammonia odor coming from the building. The two victims
A boiler maker, 36, suffered fatal burns after an explosion occurred at a refinery. The victim and two injured co-workers were employed by a contractor at the facility. The three were hospitalized as a result of the explosion. The victim died four days later from burns over approximately 90% of his body. The events occurred
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
This week at the AIHce 2013 in Montreal, Canada Mr. Michael’s had the following to say about the current status and future of OSHA’s VPP…
