MP Global Products LLC exposes workers to fire, amputation hazards. OSHA cites 11 serious, 4 other safety violations

MP Global Products LLC exposes workers to fire, amputation hazards.  OSHA cites 11 serious, 4 other safety violations

Employer name: MP Global Products LLC, Norfolk, Nebraska


Investigation site: 2500 Hadar Road, Norfolk, Nebraska


After receiving a formal complaint from an employee alleging unsafe working conditions, the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration's Omaha Area Office initiated an inspection on Aug. 5, 2014. 


Investigation findings: OSHA's investigation found multiple safety and health hazards at the company which manufactures padding from recycled denim products. 


OSHA cited 11 serious violations including: 

Exposing workers to amputation hazards* because it failed to adequately guard operating parts of machinery. 

Failing to protect workers from fire, deflagration and explosion hazards because equipment was not approved for hazardous locations. The company also failed to establish a fire brigade. 

Exposing workers to fall hazards of up to 12 feet from unguarded stairs and platforms. 

Failing to properly dispose of regulated waste. 


An OSHA violation is serious if death or serious physical harm can result from a hazard an employer knew or should have known exist.

OSHA also cited four other violations for failing to properly record injuries and illnesses in logs, provide respiratory information and electrical safety hazards. 


Proposed Penalties: $54,000


Quote: "MP Global must protect its workers from amputation hazards by installing proper guarding which prevents workers from coming in contact with moving machine parts," said Bonita Winingham, OSHA's area director in Omaha. "Comprehensive employer safety and health programs must include employee training on known workplace hazards." 


To ask questions, obtain compliance assistance, file a complaint, or report workplace hospitalizations, fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to workers, the public should call OSHA's toll-free hotline at 800-321-OSHA (6742) or the agency's Omaha Area Office at 402-553-0171. 

ALWAYS REMEMBER:

WHEN AN EMPLOYEE IS KILLED OR INJURED BY A PREVENTABLE WORKPLACE HAZARD, THIS IS NO ACCIDENT.  IT MEANS THE EMPLOYER FAILED TO PROTECT WORKERS FROM DANGERS THAT CAN CAUSE INJURY, ILLNESS OR, NEEDLESS DEATH

 

Explosion at Madden Bolt steel manufacturer kills worker. Workplace incident results in 2nd employee death in a year

Explosion at Madden Bolt steel manufacturer kills worker. Workplace incident results in 2nd employee death in a year

WHEN AN EMPLOYEE IS KILLED OR INJURED BY A PREVENTABLE WORKPLACE HAZARD, THIS IS NO ACCIDENT.  IT MEANS THE EMPLOYER FAILED TO PROTECT WORKERS FROM DANGERS THAT CAN CAUSE INJURY, ILLNESS OR, NEEDLESS DEATH

 

February 5, 2015

HOUSTON – A 31-year-old worker was the second person killed in a year at Madden Bolt Corp. when a cutting-table explosion in August 2014 hurled the employee and a steel plate into the air. The plate then landed on the fallen worker, U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration investigators determined. As a result, OSHA has cited the Houston-based employer for 10 serious violations. 


In September 2013, a forklift driver at Madden Bolt died after the machine turned over and pinned him underneath. 


The inspection that followed the explosion found serious violations which include failing to: ensure that the air and gas concentration in the cutting table did not accumulate to create an explosion; protect fuel cylinders from damage; place safety guards on band saws and a pipe press that exposed workers to being caught in the machinery; cover live electrical parts on equipment; and outline proper procedures to shut down equipment while performing maintenance. A serious violation occurs when there is substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result from a hazard about which the employer knew or should have known. 


"When an employee is killed by a preventable workplace hazard, this is no accident. It means the employer failed to protect workers from dangers that can cause injury, illness or, in this case, another needless death," said Josh Flesher, acting area director for OSHA's Houston North Area Office. 


OSHA has proposed fines totaling $44,800. Madden Bolt specializes in manufacturing bolts, custom steel plate products and assemblies, and employs about 130 workers. The company has 15 business days from receipt of its citations to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA's area director, or contest the citations and penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.


To ask questions, obtain compliance assistance, file a complaint or report workplace hospitalizations, fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to workers, the public should call OSHA's toll-free hotline at 800-321-OSHA (6742) or the agency's Houston North Area Office at 936-760-3800 or the Houston South Area Office at 281-286-0583. 


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 ensure these conditions for America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov.

Animal feed producer exposes workers to potential dust explosion and other hazards. OSHA cites Thomas Moore Feed of Navasota, Texas, for 18 violations

Animal feed producer exposes workers to potential dust explosion and other hazards.  OSHA cites Thomas Moore Feed of Navasota, Texas, for 18 violations

 WHEN AN EMPLOYEE IS KILLED OR INJURED BY A PREVENTABLE WORKPLACE HAZARD, THIS IS NO ACCIDENT.  IT MEANS THE EMPLOYER FAILED TO PROTECT WORKERS FROM DANGERS THAT CAN CAUSE INJURY, ILLNESS OR, NEEDLESS DEATH

February 5, 2015

HOUSTON, TEXAS – Combustible dust left uncontrolled or suspended in the air can explode, which was one of many safety hazards discovered after an inspection at the Thomas Moore Feed facility in Navasota, Texas, by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration. OSHA inspectors found 18 violations and proposed a penalty of $58,100.


The agency's Houston North Area Office did its inspection in September 2014 following a complaint. OSHA cited Thomas Moore Feed for not protecting workers from a potential dust explosion; allowing openings in the dust collection exhaust path of the hammer mill; failing to keep dust accumulations below 1/8 inch in a priority area; not maintaining a functioning monitoring device on the dust collector or making repairs to the dust collector; and not having an adequate dust emission source. 


"Airborne grain dust in the right concentration can become explosive and must be properly controlled by ventilation, proper housekeeping to control dust accumulations and other effective means, which this employer failed to do," said Josh Flesher, acting area director for OSHA's Houston North Area Office. 


The serious violations include failure to guard belts, pulleys, chains and sprockets less than 7 feet from the ground or platform; evaluate permit-required confined spaces; and outline procedures to prevent the unintended startup of machinery. A serious violation occurs when there is substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result from a hazard about which the employer knew or should have known. Three other violations involve failing to document forklift training; not identifying names on locks when a crew performs service or maintenance; and not providing information to employees wearing respirators.


ST Feed Mill, doing business as Thomas Moore Feed, specializes in manufacturing animal feed and employs about 35 workers at the Navasota facility. The company has 15 business days from receipt of its citations to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA's area director, or contest the citations and penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.


To ask questions, obtain compliance assistance, file a complaint or report workplace hospitalizations, fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to workers, the public should call OSHA's toll-free hotline at 800-321-OSHA (6742), or the agency's Houston North Area Office at 936-760-3800 or the Houston South Area Office at 281-286-0583. 


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 ensure these conditions for America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov.

ALWAYS REMEMBER: 

WHEN AN EMPLOYEE IS KILLED OR INJURED BY A PREVENTABLE WORKPLACE HAZARD, THIS IS NO ACCIDENT.  IT MEANS THE EMPLOYER FAILED TO PROTECT WORKERS FROM DANGERS THAT CAN CAUSE INJURY, ILLNESS OR, NEEDLESS DEATH

How North Sea helicopters cause lightning to strike: the negatively-charged helicopter acts as a conductor for the lightning, aiding its passage to the earth

How North Sea helicopters cause lightning to strike:  the negatively-charged helicopter acts as a conductor for the lightning, aiding its passage to the earth

Published in Oil Industry News on Monday, 9 February 2015

Each year a small number of helicopters working in the North Sea oil and gas sector are struck by lightning.
It is an unpleasant experience for those on board but thankfully improvements in design and technology mean a strike is unlikely to knock the aircraft out of the sky. 

Being hit though can cause substantial damage, immediately prompting an emergency and then taking the helicopter out of action for maintenance and repairs.

In light of this, the civil aviation industry asked scientists at the Met Office to examine lightning strikes in the hope of coming up with a forecasting system to help pilots avoid them. What they found was a surprise.

The conclusion was that in many cases it was the helicopter itself which caused the lightning.

Other factors are needed to create the right conditions for helicopters triggered lightning, which has been observed in very few areas of the world. Besides the North Sea, only a small section of sea near Japan reports instances.

For a start, positively charged cumulonimbus clouds need to be present and these are formed by cold air from the Arctic moving south during winter months.

Dr Helen Wells, head of the civil aviation research and development group at the Met Office, said: "In a typical winter season there are about 10 cold air outbreaks in the North Sea operating area, each lasting around three days.
"This means that there are typically 30 strike risk days per season." 

Pilots whose helicopters have been hit by lightning have reported there was no sign of it present in the area before they were struck.

Forecasters now know the negatively-charged helicopter acts as a conductor for the lightning, aiding its passage to the earth.

Typically, it would enter one of the main rotor blades and leave at the tail but could knock out instrument panels, heat up components or leave burn marks. It may also magnetise navigational equipment.

Although studies have been ongoing for several years, the 2014/15 winter was the first in which a forecasting system - trialled the previous year - was fully introduced.

Pilots can see on computer modelling data where the high and moderate risk cloud is located. This allows them to delay flights or plot alternative routes around the weather system.

'Good balance'
If a red area is over the destination platform or heliport, such as Aberdeen Airport, then the flight may have to be cancelled and this season has proved particularly disruptive. 

Dr Wells adds: "Last winter was unusually mild with fewer than normal risk days, whereas this winter so far has been more active than usual."
On offshore installations this year there are posters in communal areas explaining the concept of triggered lightning to passengers who use the 61,000 return flights annually.

John Hopkinson, manager of flight operations for CHC Helicopter, said: "Inevitably, this means we will have to change our behaviours. It is a balance between minimising the risk and the disruption. We are trying to find a good balance."

The CAA has received notification of six lightning strikes on offshore helicopters since 2010.

In the latest, on an Airbus EC225 on 27 December 2014, the crew described being "aware of a flash and a sharp 'tap' which was audible above the background noise of the aircraft."

The helicopter's Terrain Awareness and Warning System subsequently failed but the aircraft was able to land safely.

The Met Office is still evaluating the effectiveness of its forecasting system and hopes to carry out more research to help with understanding triggered lightning
Source: BBC News

2 DEAD FROM AN EXPLOSION HEARD BEFORE MOUNT HOLLY, NC HOUSE FIRE. THE CAUSE AND ORIGIN INVESTIGATION IS ONGOING.

 

2 DEAD FROM AN EXPLOSION HEARD BEFORE MOUNT HOLLY, NC HOUSE FIRE.  THE CAUSE AND ORIGIN INVESTIGATION IS ONGOING.

February 9, 2015

MOUNT HOLLY, NC –

The remains of two people were found after the fire broke out around 4:45 a.m. Neighbors told FOX 46 they heard an explosion moments before the fire started.

The East Gaston County Fire Department is investigating an explosion and fire.

The fire started around 4:45 a.m Monday.  Moments before neighbors say they heard an explosion. 

Neighbors said a couple lives in the home but they have not seen the two in a few days. Fox 46 was unable to confirm any injuries or fatalities. A news conference with officials was expected shortly.

UPDATE

Authorities just located a 12-year-old they had been looking for, as they were concerned about her well-being. They're still looking to make sure a 17-year-old is okay. They believe he may be traveling in a green Chevy suburban.

The cause and origin investigation is ongoing.