With a great article published this week already on Ergonomics, I figured I’d keep going with that theme.  Here is some information from NIOSH about participating with upcoming Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) research.  Here is what they want -

“How You Can Help

Partner with researchers to:

• Identify research gaps related to MSDs in Manufacturing
• Develop and validate tools for assessing ergonomic hazards
• Determine the contribution of individual, psychosocial, and biomechanical factors to the development of MSDs
• Develop cost effective interventions or engineering controls
• Identify markers of injury to assist in diagnosis and assess recovery

Provide feedback on:

• MSD-related issues important to your business
• Goals and objectives for reducing MSDs
• Implementation plans to address these issues

Share data:

• To improve epidemiology and surveillance data regarding MSDs in Manufacturing
• Help prioritize MSDs within specific industries for targeted research and prevention efforts

Apply research findings:

• Work with researchers to evaluate the efficacy of interventions at your worksite
• Evaluate the effectiveness of safety and health and return-to-work programs
• Develop business cases for adopting effective interventions
• Disseminate information regarding risk factors to workers and employers”

So do you want to be involved?  Here is the link for more information http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2010-129/pdfs/2010-129.pdf

Please let me know if you participate, I’d like to here how it goes!

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From epa.gov

Release date: 03/31/2010

Contact Information: CONTACT: Cathy Milbourn milbourn.cathy@epa.gov 202-564-7849 202-564-4355

WASHINGTON — Shell Chemical L.P. and Shell Chemical Yabucoa have agreed to install pollution reduction equipment on two petroleum refining facilities at an estimated cost of $6 million as part of two comprehensive Clean Air Act settlements, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Justice Department announced today. The two companies will also pay a combined $3.3 million civil penalty to the United States as well as to Alabama and Louisiana, and $200,000 to Louisiana organizations for environmental education and emergency operations.

Under the settlements, Shell Chemical L.P. will apply new air pollution control technologies and implement other measures to reduce emissions from some of the largest emitting units at its petroleum refining facilities in Saraland, Ala. and St. Rose, La.

“These settlements demonstrate EPA’s continuing commitment to increase compliance and reduce emissions from this industrial sector,” said Cynthia Giles, assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. “As a result of today’s actions, the communities living nearby these refineries can look forward to cleaner, healthier air.”

“These two settlements are excellent examples of businesses working with government to achieve compliance at their facilities around the country, which will benefit the health of local communities and the environment,” said Ignacia S. Moreno, Environment and Natural Resource Division Assistant Attorney General. “We will continue to work with industry to achieve compliance under the Clean Air Act to remove harmful pollution from the air we breathe.”

Shell Chemical Yabucoa operates a facility in Yabucoa, Puerto Rico. For independent business reasons, Shell Chemical Yabucoa decided to shut down its refining operations at the facility in Puerto Rico in the summer of 2009. The company still continues to operate the existing gasoline terminal there. Collectively the three facilities had a combined production capacity of approximately 235,000 barrels per day.

In addition, the two refineries in Alabama and Louisiana, and the terminal operations in Puerto Rico will upgrade their leak-detection and repair practices to reduce harmful emissions from pumps and valves, implement programs to minimize the number and severity of flaring events and adopt new strategies for ensuring continued compliance with benzene waste requirements under the Clean Air Act.

Together, both settlements will reduce air emissions of sulfur dioxide (SO₂), nitrogen oxides (NOx) and other harmful pollutants by more than 1,450 tons per year.

The annual emission reductions from all three refineries, including the emissions associated with the shutdown at Yabucoa, are estimated to be approximately 645 tons of SO₂ and approximately 813 tons of NOx, as well as additional reductions of volatile organic compounds and benzene.

The settlements are the 25th and 26th in a series of “global” multi-issue, multi-facility settlements being pursued by EPA under its National Petroleum Refinery Initiative. With today’s settlements, 102 refineries operating in 30 states and territories are now covered by global settlements, representing more than 89 percent of the nation’s refining capacity.

The states of Alabama and Louisiana actively participated in and are joining in the settlement with Shell Chemical, which was filed with the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas. The settlement with Shell Chemical Yabucoa was filed with the U.S. District Court for the District of Puerto Rico. Each settlement is subject to a 30-day public comment period and approval by the federal court.

More information on the settlement:http://www.epa.gov/compliance/resources/cases/civil/caa/shellchemical.html

More information on EPA’s Petroleum Refinery Initiative:http://www.epa.gov/compliance/resources/cases/civil/caa/oil/

Click here for more EPA BUZZ

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From osha.gov

US Labor Department’s OSHA cites Delaware City, Del., manufacturing company for workplace safety and health hazards Inspectors identify, cite combustible dust violations

DELAWARE CITY, Del. — The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Formosa Plastics Corp. for 27 alleged serious workplace safety and health violations, including exposing workers to combustible dust hazards. Proposed penalties total $133,500.

OSHA initiated an investigation on Oct. 1, 2009, in response to an employee complaint.

The violations include the company’s failure to properly contain polyvinyl chloride dust particles, evaluate contractors’ safety programs and procedures, properly inspect process equipment, provide fire retardant clothing for employees, require employees to wear adequate eye protection with side shields, provide proper training and provide employees with an infirmary, clinic or person trained in first aid. Additionally, inspectors identified hazards involving a lack of machine guarding, a deficient process safety management program, inadequate lockout/tagout procedures for energy sources and unguarded machinery, floor holes and walkways. OSHA issues a serious citation when there is substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result and the employer knew, or should have known, of the hazard.

“These violations are an indication that the employer needs to make improvements in its safety and health program,” said Domenick Salvatore, director of OSHA’s Wilmington, Del., office. “It is imperative that the company eliminate the combustible dust hazards, along with the other violations cited, to protect employees at this facility.”

Formosa Plastics Corp. of Delaware City produces plastic resins and petrochemicals and employs 98 workers.

The company has 15 business days from receipt of the citations to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director, or contest the citations and proposed penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. The investigation was conducted by OSHA’s Wilmington Area Office; telephone: 302-573-6518. To report workplace accidents, fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to workers, call OSHA’s toll-free hotline at 800-321-6742.

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, outreach, education and assistance. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov.

Click here for more OSHA BUZZ

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It’s Wednesday, so it is time for the EHS video question of the week!  What say you?

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