Chemical Safety Archives - Safety+Health Magazine

Fatal blast leads to call for better awareness of equipment limitations

S+H Staff — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 16:38:37 +0000

Washington — Chemical facility operators need to ensure their equipment can function within safe operating limits, the Chemical Safety Board says in a new final report. The report details the investigation of a November 2024 incident at the Givaudan Sense Colour facility in Louisville, KY. Two workers died and three were seriously injured when a […]

The post Fatal blast leads to call for better awareness of equipment limitations appeared first on Safety+Health Magazine.

OSHA announces two meetings to prepare for UN’s GHS sessions

S+H Staff — Tue, 02 Jun 2026 16:29:06 +0000

Washington — OSHA has scheduled a pair of virtual public meetings ahead of the 49th and 50th sessions of the United Nations Sub-Committee of Experts on the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals. The first meeting is set for 1 p.m. Eastern on June 23 in preparation for UNSCEGSH’s meeting on July […]

The post OSHA announces two meetings to prepare for UN’s GHS sessions appeared first on Safety+Health Magazine.

Group files suit over EPA’s missed asbestos deadline

S+H Staff — Mon, 01 Jun 2026 18:17:34 +0000

Washington — A coalition of organizations is suing the Environmental Protection Agency and EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin for “failing to meet a mandatory legal deadline to address the ongoing public health threat of legacy asbestos.” The case is set to go before the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on June 1 in New Orleans. […]

The post Group files suit over EPA’s missed asbestos deadline appeared first on Safety+Health Magazine.

Vermont finalizes landmark ban of paraquat

S+H Staff — Mon, 01 Jun 2026 17:18:16 +0000

Montpelier, VT — Vermont Gov. Phil Scott (R) has signed legislation banning paraquat, a controversial herbicide that has been tied to an increased risk of Parkinson’s disease among agricultural workers. Scott’s signature on H. 739 cements Vermont as the first state to do so. Effective Nov. 1, the new law prohibits the use or sale […]

The post Vermont finalizes landmark ban of paraquat appeared first on Safety+Health Magazine.

OSHA inspection procedures now reflect 2024 HazCom update

S+H Staff — Tue, 26 May 2026 15:56:01 +0000

Washington — OSHA has revised its inspection procedures to align with the agency’s updated standard on hazard communication (1910.1200), issued in 2024. In a May 19 memo, OSHA references Paragraph (i) – trade secrets, Appendix A (health hazard criteria), Appendix B (physical hazard criteria) and Appendix C (allocation of label elements), along with revisions to […]

The post OSHA inspection procedures now reflect 2024 HazCom update appeared first on Safety+Health Magazine.

EPA invites comment on controversial fragrance and one other chemical

S+H Staff — Wed, 20 May 2026 13:45:26 +0000

Washington — The Environmental Protection Agency is seeking feedback on separate draft risk evaluations, including a potential landmark finding that a fragrance additive doesn’t pose “unreasonable risk” in work situations. In a draft risk evaluation published April 14, EPA says that 1,3,4,6,7,8-hexahydro-4,6,6,7,8,8-hexamethylcyclopenta [g]-2-benzopyran – a fragrance ingredient also known as HHCB that’s used in air […]

The post EPA invites comment on controversial fragrance and one other chemical appeared first on Safety+Health Magazine.

Chemical classification

S+H Staff — Tue, 12 May 2026 21:12:35 +0000

What problems can arise when old and new hazard classifications coexist at the same site during the transition to OSHA’s 2024 HazCom final rule? How should employers manage any confusion?

The post Chemical classification appeared first on Safety+Health Magazine.

Delayed again: provisions of EPA trichlorethylene ban

S+H Staff — Mon, 11 May 2026 17:20:03 +0000

Washington — The Environmental Protection Agency has delayed until further notice the effective date of certain worker-related provisions of the agency’s final rule banning the use of trichloroethylene, as related litigation continues. TCE is a toxic chemical used in dishwashing products and as a solvent in brake and parts cleaning, recycling, and disposal. In 2014, […]

The post Delayed again: provisions of EPA trichlorethylene ban appeared first on Safety+Health Magazine.

EPA to move forward on risk management regulations for 1,2-dichloroethane

S+H Staff — Wed, 06 May 2026 16:38:51 +0000

Washington — The Environmental Protection Agency will propose risk management regulations for 1,2-dichloroethane, a colorless liquid frequently used to manufacture polyvinyl chloride, a type of plastic. On May 5, EPA published a final risk evaluation stating that 1,2 DCA, a carcinogenic substance also known as ethylene dichloride, presents “unreasonable risk” to workers under 15 conditions […]

The post EPA to move forward on risk management regulations for 1,2-dichloroethane appeared first on Safety+Health Magazine.

OSHA construction advisory committee set to meet May 19-20

S+H Staff — Tue, 05 May 2026 12:29:45 +0000

Washington — OSHA’s Advisory Committee on Construction Safety and Health has scheduled virtual meetings for May 19 and 20. According to a notice published May 1, the meetings are set to begin at 9:30 a.m. Eastern and run until 4:30 p.m. The agenda includes: Continuing a discussion from previous meetings on several rulemakings: 1,3-butadiene, 13 […]

The post OSHA construction advisory committee set to meet May 19-20 appeared first on Safety+Health Magazine.