OSHA Scheduled to Hold a Workshop in Central Illinois

OSHA Scheduled to Hold a Workshop in Central Illinois
Workshop Location:  Peoria, Illinois     Workshop Date:  March 2, 2011

February 17, 2011

PEORIA, Ill. -- Concerned about workplace safety?

Federal officials plan to offer a workshop in central Illinois next month addressing construction safety, protective gear and green building.

It's called the Illinois Occupational Safety and Health Day and will held be March 2 in Peoria. 

Sessions by officials with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration will cover lead abatement, fall protection, office safety and confined space training, among other topics.

There'll also be a health fair and free screenings by the American Red Cross.


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OSHA Releases Respiratory Protection Video: Proper Respirator Use for Healthcare Workers

OSHA Releases Respiratory Protection Video: Proper Respirator Use for Healthcare Workers

Feb. 11, 2011
Contact: Office of Communications
Phone: 202-693-1999

OSHA respiratory protection video discusses
proper respirator use for healthcare workers

WASHINGTON. – The Occupational Safety and Health Administration recently produced a training video for health care employers and workers that explains the proper use of respirators and the procedures to follow to assure that respirators protect workers from airborne hazards in healthcare settings.

The 33-minute video explains the major components of a respiratory protection program including fit-testing, medical evaluations, training, and maintenance. The video also discusses the difference between respirators and surgical masks, and features a segment on common respiratory hazards found in healthcare settings, including airborne infectious agents that cause diseases such as tuberculosis, pandemic influenza, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), chicken pox, and measles.

Demonstrations also show how respirator use helps protect workers from exposure to airborne chemical hazards such as formaldehyde and glutaraldehyde, which are used commonly in hospital laboratories to preserve tissue samples for medical analysis. These toxic substances can cause eye and nasal irritation, headaches, asthma, and other symptoms. Additionally, formaldehyde is a carcinogen and has been linked to nasal and lung cancer, with possible links to brain cancer and leukemia.

"Employers can't rely on respirators providing the expected protection if they don't train their workers on how to use them properly," said Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health Dr. David Michaels. "This video is an important training tool that teaches proper respirator use and discusses employers' responsibilities under OSHA's respiratory protection standard."

Visit OSHA's Safety and Health Topics: Respiratory Protection page for more respirator safety and health information.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA's role is to assure these conditions for America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov/.

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DOT Converts HAZMAT Transportation Permits into Federal Regulations

DOT Converts HAZMAT Transportation Permits into Federal Regulations

“This rulemaking is another step in incorporating tested transportation technologies and operations from longstanding special permits into the regulations, promoting safety and streamlining our processes,” said PHMSA Administrator Cynthia Quarterman.

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) recently announced its efforts to improve the safe transport of hazardous materials by incorporating the provisions of six widely used cargo tank special permits into Federal Hazardous Materials regulations. The agency hopes the new regulation will cut down on thousands of special permit applications each year.

The special permits incorporated into regulations have long established safety records. Like all special permits, these were used to approve processes for hazmat transport not explicitly spelled out in PHMSA regulations. Over years, the practices approved in these permits became commonplace and were proven safe.

“President Obama asked us to find ways to make our government better for the people of the United States,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “Getting rid of this cumbersome process will maintain safety and save businesses and the government both time and money.”

“This rulemaking is another step in incorporating tested transportation technologies and operations from longstanding special permits into the regulations, promoting safety and streamlining our processes,” said PHMSA Administrator Cynthia Quarterman.

Streamlining the hazardous materials special permit and approvals process is a major priority for PHMSA. Last year, the Department released an Action Plan to improve PHMSA’s safety oversight, processes, procedures, and policies for its hazardous materials special permits and approvals program.

Listed below are the six special permits that will be incorporated into the Hazardous Materials Regulations pertaining to the shipment of certain hazardous materials in cargo tanks.

Two of the special permits cover hazardous materials mounted on farm trucks used exclusively for agricultural purposes:

- Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG)
- Liquid soil pesticide (toxic substances)
- One special permit covers the transportation of hazardous materials used for striping roads.
- One special permit authorizes private motor carrier companies to transport propane tanks most commonly used for home heating and cooking.
- Two special permits address nurse tanks:
- The first covers the transportation of nurse tanks securely mounted on field trucks.
- The second authorizes the use of the nurse tanks carrying anhydrous ammonia under certain conditions when the tanks are missing or have illegible identification plates.
- The final rule is available on PHMSA’s website at http://www.phmsa.dot.gov/.


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