January 15, 2006 · Volume 5, Issue 2
A bi-weekly e-news memo with information, updates, and results from OSHA about safety and health in America's workplaces.

In This Issue "Engaging Tomorrow's Leaders in Safety and Health" Subject of Snare Speech OSHA Issues Direct Final Rule on Roll-Over Protective Structures Standards OSHA Offers Tips to Protect Workers in Cold Environments Michigan OSHA Sponsors Industrial Ventilation Conference Chain Saw Recalled by Consumer Product Safety Commission ACS Added to OSHA and Chemical Reactivity Hazards Management Alliance Hurricane-related Training for Response Workers Gulf Coast Construction Safety Conference Regional VPP Recognition Update Latest Regional Alliances Formed with OSHA Voluntary Protection Programs Activity OSHA Certifies Newest "SHARP" Companies OSHA Proposes $788,000 in Penalties to St. Louis-based Manufacturer "Engaging Tomorrow's Leaders in Safety and Health" Subject of Snare Speech     Acting Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA Jonathan L. Snare addressed scholars, business professionals, and policy makers Jan. 13 at the Center for Business and Public Policy Workplace Safety and Health Seminar in Washington. The event, sponsored by Georgetown University's McDonough School of Business, included the signing of a new alliance between OSHA and the Center which emphasizes good business practices through training and education, outreach and communication, and promoting a national dialogue on workplace safety and health. OSHA Issues Direct Final Rule on Roll-Over Protective Structures Standards     OSHA is seeking public comments until Jan. 30, 2006, on a direct final rule to reinstate its original roll-over protective structures (ROPS) standards for the construction and agriculture industries that protect workers who operate wheel-type tractors. The agency conducted a thorough evaluation of the original ROPS standards and those implemented under a 1996 technical amendment that revised standards for testing of ROPS. OSHA is proposing to reinstate the original ROPS standards after identifying several substantive differences between national consensus standards and the original standards. See the Dec. 29, 2005, Federal Register notice for details on submitting comments. OSHA Offers Tips to Protect Workers in Cold Environments     With the onset of cold weather, OSHA is reminding employers and workers to take necessary precautions, such as those listed on OSHA's Cold Stress Card, to prevent and treat cold-related health problems. Workers in construction, commercial fishing, maritime and agriculture are among those who need to take precautions. OSHA's Cold Stress Card provides a reference guide and recommendations to combat and prevent many illnesses and injuries. For free copies of this laminated, fold-up card in English or Spanish, visit the publications page on OSHA's Web site, or call (800) 321-OSHA. Michigan OSHA Sponsors Industrial Ventilation Conference    A four-day conference focusing on the design, construction, use and testing of industrial ventilation systems will be held Feb. 13-16 at the Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Mich. Sponsored by Michigan OSHA, the conference affords participants opportunities to work through actual ventilation design problems with industrial ventilation experts from throughout the United States and Canada. More information is available on the conference's Web site, or by calling the conference chairperson at (517) 322-6560. Chain Saw Recalled by Consumer Product Safety Commission    The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced Jan. 11 the voluntary recall of Stihl-brand MS 192 T Chain Saws. According to CPSC, these saws can leak fuel, posing a fire hazard. A problem with the saw's clutch assembly springs-which can allow a spring to be projected from the saw housing-has also been discovered. Visit OSHA's Web site for more information on "Working Safely with Chain Saws." ACS Added to OSHA and Chemical Reactivity Hazards Management Alliance     Acting Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA Jonathan L. Snare recently signed an addendum adding the American Chemical Society (ACS) to the alliance between OSHA and the Chemical Reactivity Hazards Management group. ACS joins the group consisting of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; American Chemistry Council; Center for Chemical Process Safety; Chlorine Institute Inc.; Mary Kay O'Connor Process Safety Center; National Association of Chemical Distributors; and Synthetic Organic Chemical Manufacturers Association. Originally signed on March 30, 2004, the alliance highlights health and safety issues for workers involved in the manufacture, distribution, use and storage of chemicals. Hurricane-related Training for Response Workers    Safety and health training is being offered for hurricane response workers. The John Archer AGC Center West, Mobile, Ala., will host an 8-hour class on mold on Jan. 17, and the OSHA 7600 Disaster Site Worker Course on Feb. 1-2. To register for either class, contact Charlotte Kopf at (251) 344-8220. Troy University, Dothan, Ala., also will host the course on mold on Jan. 19, and the OSHA 7600 class on Feb. 22-23. For registration information, call Mary Davis at (334) 983-6556, ext. 1424. OSHA's Mobile, Ala., Area Office contact is William N. Bice, compliance assistance specialist, at (251) 441-5489. Gulf Coast Construction Safety Conference     A safety conference focusing on safety and health issues for workers involved in construction and recovery operations along the U.S. Gulf Coast is scheduled for March 14 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Greater Gulf State Fairgrounds in Mobile, Ala. "Safely Rebuilding the Gulf Coast" is sponsored by Alabama Associated Builders and Contractors, Associated General Contractors (AGC) of Alabama-Mobile Chapter and the Alabama Homebuilders Association. To register, contact Charlotte Kopf, AGC Mobile Chapter, at (251) 344-8220. OSHA contact is William N. Bice at (251) 441-5489. Regional VPP Recognition Update     Region I: OSHA's Boston Region recognized Rogers Corporation High Performance Foams - Poron of Woodstock, Conn., as a Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP) "Star" site. Marthe Kent, OSHA New England regional administrator, praised the plant for its injury and illness rates being well below the average industry rates for foam products manufacturing. Kent also recognized Lenox's American Saw & Mfg. Co. plant in East Longmeadow, Mass., for again receiving "Star" certification for its safety and health management system, and acknowledged Ahlstrom Manufacturing plant in Windsor Locks, Conn., for achieving VPP "Merit" status for its safety and health management programs. Al J. Morrissey, OSHA's New England assistant regional administrator for cooperative programs, recently presented the VPP "Star" award to Calpine Dighton Power in North Dighton, Mass., and noted that "the safety and health culture at this site is remarkable. No safety and health issue is too minor to be addressed and examined." Region VI: The Drilling Specialties Co., Conroe, Texas, plant earned its membership into the "Star" family for its effective workplace safety and health management system. Region X: Richard Terrill, OSHA Seattle regional administrator, recognized the U.S. Postal Service Boise, Idaho, Processing and Distribution Center for its outstanding commitment to workplace safety and health. The site has an injury/illness rate that is 64 percent lower than the average postal facility, and has reduced its injuries and illnesses by more than 60 percent in the last three years. Latest Regional Alliances Formed with OSHA     Region I: Enhancing safe and healthful working conditions for plumbers and pipefitters in New Hampshire is the goal of a newly signed alliance between OSHA's Concord, N.H., Area Office and the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services Consultation Program and Local 131 of the United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipefitting Industries of the United States and Canada. The three organizations will work together to share best practices and technical knowledge, especially in the area of construction safety and health. Region II: OSHA's Albany, Buffalo and Syracuse, N.Y., Area Offices teamed up with the Associated General Contractors, New York State Chapter Inc. to focus on protecting employees' safety and health through the development of training and education programs that address hazards associated with heavy and highway construction work. The New York State Small Business Development Centers teamed up with OSHA's Albany, N.Y., Area Office to promote safe and healthful working places in the Albany, North Country and Mid-Hudson regions. Alliance members will collaborate together to develop and disseminate information on safety excellence and management. Region IV: The Georgia Department of Labor, and Georgia Institute of Technology, Safety, Health and Environmental Technology Division signed an alliance Jan. 9 with OSHA's Atlanta Region to promote free safety and health training for small business owners and employees. The training, offered in both English and Spanish, will target safe work practices for work zones, electrical operations, power tools, personal protective equipment, trenching and excavating, fall protection and roofing operations. Region V: Fostering safer and healthier work environments is the focus of an alliance between OSHA's Toledo, Ohio, Area Office and the Safety Council of Northwest Ohio. The agreement focuses on providing safety and health information to employers and employees, and sharing best practices to prevent exposure to workplace hazards. Workers in central Illinois stand to benefit from an alliance signed between the Illinois Council on Long Term Care and OSHA's Des Plaines, Ill., Area Office designed to reduce and prevent some of the most common nursing home injuries and illnesses. Voluntary Protection Programs Activity     The following companies were approved this month for new or continued participation in OSHA's Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP): Region I: Hamilton Sundstrand Corp., Windsor Locks, Conn. (New Star); Ahlstrom, Windsor Locks, Conn. (New Merit); CYRO Industries, Sanford, Maine (Cont. Star); Masspower, Indian Orchard, Mass. (Cont. Star); Earth Tech Inc., Saint Johnsbury Operations, Saint Johnsbury, Vt. (New Star) Region II: Georgia Pacific, Corrugated Paper Group, Milford, N.J. (New Star); Curtis Lumber, Ft. Plain, N.Y. (New Star); Pactiv Rigid Packaging, Canandaigua, N.Y. (Cont. Star); Curtis Lumber, Delmar, N.Y. (New Star); Curtis Lumber, Hoosick Falls, N.Y. (New Star); L'Oreal USA, Luxury Products Division, Monmouth Junction, N.J. (New Star); Motorola, Elma, N.Y. (New Star) Region III: Exopack LLC, Hazleton, Pa. (Cont. Star); PPL Corp., General Office Complex, Allentown, Pa. (New Star); International Paper, Mt. Carmel, Pa. (Cont. Star); Cytec Industries Inc., Willow Island, W.Va. (Cont. Star); Northrop Grumman Newport News Shipbuilding, Newport News, Va. (Cont. Star); Covanta Energy, Delaware Valley Facility, Chester, Pa. (New Star); Springs Window Fashions, Montgomery, Pa. (New Star); National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, W.Va. (New Star) Region IV: An Med Health Medical Center, Anderson, S.C. (New Star); Georgia Pacific, Leaf River Sawmill, New Augusta, Miss. (Cont. Star); Propes Fabrics Inc., Hazlehurst, Ga. (Cont. Star); Int'l Paper, Riverdale Wet Storage, Selma, Ala. (Cont. Star); Olin Corporation, Augusta, Ga. (Cont. Star); Entergy, Delta Plant, Cleveland, Miss. (New Star); Calpine Corporation, Morgan Energy Center, Decatur, Ala. (New Star); International Paper, Dry Creek Woodyard, Prattville, Ala. (Cont. Star); United Space Alliance LLC, Huntsville Operations, Huntsville, Ala. (Cont. Star); Pratt & Whitney, Columbus Plant, Columbus, Ga. (Cont. Star); Stepan Company, Winder, Ga. (Cont. Star) Region V: DSM NeoResins, Frankfort, Ind. (New Merit); Frito-Lay Inc., Frankfort, Ind. (New Star); Meyer Stamping & Manufacturing, Fort Wayne, Ind. (New Star); Rockport Maintenance, Rockport, Ind. (New Star); Flint Hills Resources-Pine Bend Refinery, Rosemont, Minn. (New Star); Pactiv EZ Foil, Wheeling, Ill. (New Star); 3M Company, Eau Claire, Wis. (New Star); General Electric, Oil and Gas Operations LLC, Oshkosh, Wis. (New Star); General Electric, Peebles Test Operation, Peebles, Ohio (Cont. Star); General Electric, Reuter-Stokes, Twinsburg, Ohio (Cont. Star). (QuickTakes will publish VPP activity for Regions VI-X in the Feb. 1 issue.) OSHA Certifies Newest "SHARP" Companies     OSHA recently certified the following companies as Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP) sites: Region II: York Modern Corporation, Unadilla, N.Y.; Hagen Pet Foods Inc., Waverly, N.Y.; Troy Belting & Supply Company, Watervliet, N.Y.; Williams Lumber & Home Centers, Rhinebeck, N.Y.; NIBCO Inc., South Glens Falls, N.Y.; Candlelight Cabinetry Inc., Lockport, N.Y. Region III: Littlestown Foundry Inc., Littlestown, Pa. Region IV: American Dehydrated Foods, Hanceville, Ala.; Yachiyo Manufacturing of Alabama, Steele, Ala.; Carolina Rest Home, Roanoke Rapids, N.C.; Environmental Air Systems, High Point, N.C.; Gilead Science, Durham, N.C.; Leggett & Platt Inc., Furniture Components Division, High Point, N.C.; Milkco Inc., Asheville, N.C.; Purolator Engineered Filtration Products, Shelby, N.C.; Tubular Textiles LLC, Lexington, N.C.; ARJ Manufacturing LLC, Jackson, Tenn. (QuickTakes will publish the most recent SHARP-certified companies from Regions VI-X in the Feb. 1 issue.) OSHA Proposes $788,000 in Penalties to St. Louis-based Manufacturer     John J. Steuby Co. was cited Jan. 12 for more than 50 alleged safety and health violations-including 12 willful citations-as a result of an employee complaint. OSHA's inspection revealed a past history of numerous machine operation injuries, including amputations. Referring to the case, Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao said the department "will take serious actions to protect workers' health and safety at the workplace." The company manufactures machined metal products for the automotive, appliance, bearing, ordinance, hydraulic, plumbing hardware and commercial-fittings industries. Editor: Elaine Fraser, OSHA Office of Communications, 202-693-1999