Blog Archives

Disaster Prep PDC, March 12

Workplace emergencies come in many forms, from violence and catastrophic failures to natural disasters. A March 12 professional development conference sponsored by the San Diego chapter of the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) aimed at helping business managers better recognize, mitigate and respond to critical events. “Emergencies, Crises and Disasters: The Changing and Essential … Read More »

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Pull Saw Revisions Finalized

By a majority vote following a public hearing, the Cal/OSH Standards Board has made the following revisions to a Title 8 safety order. They have been approved by the Office of Administrative Law and now are in the California Code of Regulations. HORIZONTAL PULL SAW (RADIAL ARM SAW) GUARDING: Revisions to General Industry Safety Orders … Read More »

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Appeals Board Decision on Pressurized Piping Spurs Regulatory Change

When a plug burst out of a pipe, seriously injuring a worker who was repairing it several years ago, Cal/OSHA cited the employer for a serious violation for failing to control the hazardous energy. But an Appeals Board administrative law judge dismissed the violation, holding that the safety order didn’t cover the situation at hand. … Read More »

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Following Fed-OSHA, Standards Board Adopts Head Protection Update

SACRAMENTO — By a unanimous vote, the Cal/OSH Standards Board adopted Title 8 revisions at its Feb. 21 meeting that mirror changes on head protection already put in place by Fed-OSHA. The board also welcomed its newest member, public representative Patty Quinlan at the session, and held its first meeting under the chairmanship of labor … Read More »

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Incidents, but No Cal/OSHA Inspections

Cal/OSHA has received reports of various workplace fatalities from Feb. 19-25, but is not investigating the incidents, the agency says. On Feb. 16, the Division of Occupational Safety and Health Sacramento district office learned that an employee of Greater Omaha Express, a transportation service, died in a single-vehicle accident. “The vehicle left the roadway, killing … Read More »

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Two Named to ACGIH Committee

The American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists has named two Californians to its Nominating Committee. The moves came after ACGIH’s members voted to open the conference’s ranks to those outside of academia and government, as long as the member is employed at least 50% of his or her time in occupational and environmental health and … Read More »

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Serious Violations Alleged, but No Penalties Proposed in V.A. Fatality

Almost 10 months after a researcher stationed at the Veterans Affair Medical Center in San Francisco died from exposure to a virulent bacterium, the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited the center for three serious violations. But the facility does not face any monetary penalties because the Feds can’t propose them against a … Read More »

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Headed to Adoption: Utility Pole Protections, Respirator Choices for Emergency Responders

SACRAMENTO — There was no controversy and few comments on the two items at the Cal/OSH Standards Board’s Feb. 21 public hearing, meaning the proposals likely will be adopted in the near future. One of the proposals would make operations for utility crews safer when they have to remove damaged or unstable power poles. The … Read More »

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