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http://www.dol.gov/_Sec/newsletter/#.UQw0_YnjmI4
February 1, 2013 • Volume 12, Issue 3
Headlines:
Winter weather poses carbon monoxide hazards for workers
Methylene Chloride exposure in bathroom refinishing Hazard Alert issued by OSHA, NIOSH
Hazard Communication: Workers must be trained by Dec. 1, 2013
Working Safely with Nanomaterials Fact Sheet
Updates to safety standard further protect laboratory workers
U.S. Army focuses on revised hazard communication standard to keep soldiers safe and healthy
Working Safely with Nanomaterials Fact Sheet
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Winter weather poses carbon monoxide hazards for workers
With the arrival of cold weather, OSHA is reminding employers to take necessary precautions to protect workers from the serious, and sometimes fatal, effects of carbon monoxide exposure.
Every year, workers die from carbon monoxide poisoning, usually while using fuel-burning equipment and tools in buildings or semi-enclosed spaces without adequate ventilation. This can be especially true during the winter months when workers use this type of equipment in indoor spaces that have been sealed tightly to block out cold temperatures and wind. Symptoms of carbon monoxide exposure can include everything from headaches, dizziness and drowsiness to nausea, vomiting or tightness across the chest.
To reduce the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning in the workplace, employers should install an effective ventilation system, avoid the use of fuel-burning equipment in enclosed or partially-enclosed spaces, use carbon monoxide detectors in areas where the hazard is a concern and take other precautions outlined in OSHA's Carbon Monoxide Fact Sheet (*PDF). For additional information on carbon monoxide poisoning and preventing exposure in the workplace, see OSHA's Carbon Monoxide Poisoning QuickCards (in English and Spanish) and the news release.
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Methylene Chloride exposure in bathroom refinishing Hazard Alert issued by OSHA, NIOSH
OSHA and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health are warning workers and employers about the dangers of using methylene chloride-based stripping products in bathtub refinishing. Methylene chloride, a chemical used in industrial processes, but also available in over-the-counter paint and finish stripping products, has been implicated in at least 14 deaths since 2000 of workers refinishing bathtubs. These workers were generally working alone, in poorly ventilated bathrooms, with inadequate or no respiratory protection, and no training about the hazards of methylene chloride. The new OSHA-NIOSH Hazard Alert details methylene chloride's toxicity, safety precautions when using methylene chloride and employer responsibilities under OSHA's methylene chloride standard.
For more information, see the Hazard Alert (*PDF) or read more about OSHA's methylene chloride standard.
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Hazard Communication: Workers must be trained by Dec. 1, 2013
OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard is now aligned with the United Nations' Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals. This update to the Hazard Communication Standard provides a common and coherent approach to classifying chemicals and communicating hazard information on labels and safety data sheets. The revised standard is improving the quality and consistency of hazard information in the workplace, making it safer for workers by providing easily understandable information on appropriate handling and safe use of hazardous chemicals.
The first deadline in the implementation phase is Dec. 1, 2013. By this date, employers must train workers on the new label elements and safety data sheet format. OSHA has prepared a number of materials that explain the new changes to the requirements of the HCS, including a list of frequently asked questions, QuickCards, fact sheets, a webinar that provides an overview of the rule and a downloadable PowerPoint presentation. These materials are available on OSHA's Hazard Communications page.
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OSHA sponsors safety stand-downs at oil and gas exploration sites
OSHA and the National Service, Transmission, Exploration and Production Safety Network, known as STEPS, are co-sponsoring a "safety stand-down" from Jan. 24 through Feb. 28 to promote safety and health practices at oil and gas exploration and production sites in Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas.
Participating companies in the month-long stand-down will hold training events at their oil and gas worksites, conduct site inspections, document and eliminate hazards and train workers. OSHA will provide training materials and assistance. For more information, see the news release and visit the OSHA Education Center at the University of Texas Arlington stand-down website.
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Updates to safety standard further protect laboratory workers
To better protect today's laboratory workers, OSHA has published updates to a non-mandatory appendix of its Laboratory Standard. Updated with assistance from the National Academies of Science, the appendix now includes developments in the ways that labs can promote safer handling of chemicals and use safety and health management systems to find and fix hazards before workers are hurt. OSHA has also incorporated issues raised in recent U.S. Chemical Safety Board investigations, including new information on the hazards of reactive chemicals, physical hazards and working alone. For more information on laboratory safety and the standards requirements, see OSHA's Laboratory Safety Guidance (*PDF). Details are available in the Federal Register notice.
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U.S. Army focuses on revised hazard communication standard to keep soldiers safe and healthy
To protect soldiers and civilians who handle hazardous chemicals on the job, the U.S. Army has announced plans to fully integrate OSHA's recently revised Hazard Communication Standard at Army locations throughout the world. The integration of the revised standard at U.S. Army locations will be completed in phases as specified in OSHA's revised standard. In the first phase, the Army expects to train leaders and managers by Dec. 1, 2013 to ensure that their workers understand the new label elements and safety data sheet format. For information on the Army's integration initiative, see the press release issued by the U.S. Army. For more information about OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard and the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals, visit OSHA's Hazard Communication page.
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New OSHA publications available
The Working Safely with Nanomaterials Fact Sheet (*PDF) provides basic information on the hazards of working with tiny materials of a near-atomic scale that can be inhaled, ingested or absorbed through the skin.
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