Manufacturing

Sacramento, CA — California’s Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board has unanimously approved to make permanent an emergency temporary standard aimed at safeguarding workers who handle engineered stone from silica hazards.

Washington — Citing an uptick of incidents at chemical facilities over the past few winters, the Chemical Safety Board is urging refineries, chemical plants and other facilities that contain hazardous materials to prepare for freezing temperatures.

Washington — Updates to an Environmental Protection Agency tool that can be used to analyze chemicals and predict whether they have carcinogenic effects are geared toward “expanding the tool’s usability.”

Washington — The Environmental Protection Agency is set to publish a final rule intended to improve the efficiency” of the agency’s chemical review process and provide better information.

Worcester, MA — Workers in marijuana processing facilities must be informed about the hazards of exposure to ground cannabis dust, the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission reminds employers in a recently published safety bulletin.

Washington — The Environmental Protection Agency will begin the risk management process to “address the unreasonable risk presented by legacy uses and associated disposal of asbestos,” which includes publishing a proposed rule to “protect people from the identified risks.”

Washington — The Chemical Safety Board is emphasizing the importance of thorough risk assessments and emergency preparedness as it continues to investigate a fatal release of hydrogen sulfide.

Washington — Clouds of anhydrous ammonia – which is toxic when inhaled – may not be visible “if the cloud does not condense sufficient atmospheric moisture,” the Chemical Safety Board warns.

Washington — A final, revised risk determination from the Environmental Protection Agency affirms that the potentially carcinogenic chemical substance 1,4-dioxane poses “unreasonable” risk to workers under certain conditions, including domestic manufacturing.

Washington — OSHA is accepting comments ahead of the 47th session of the United Nations Sub-Committee of Experts on the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals.