INCOMPETENT MILITARY LABS: The number of states received live anthrax more than doubled to include all 50 states and Washington, D.C.

 
This is Referee Module No. 2 of the Whole System Live Agent Test at Dugway Proving Ground in Dugway, Utah. (AP photo)
Sep 01, 2015 | by Richard Sisk

Deputy Defense Secretary Bob Work has repeatedly said the scandal over the military's mistaken shipment of live anthrax spores around the nation and the world would get worse -- and he was right.

The number of labs that received live anthrax has more than doubled to 194 since Work and Frank Kendall, the Pentagon's top acquisition official, released a report in July on the shipments of the deadly pathogen from the Army's Dugway Proving Grounds in Utah.

The number of states receiving live anthrax also more than doubled to include all 50 states and Washington, D.C., plus Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.

The number of countries that received live anthrax went up from seven to nine -- Japan, United Kingdom, Korea, Australia, Canada, Italy, Germany, Norway and Switzerland, according to the Pentagon's updated accounting of the shipments through Sept. 1.

There have been no deaths or serious illnesses reported from the military's 10-year program to ship anthrax to private and military labs for testing to develop vaccines and detection devices, according to the Defense Department.

However, at least 31 military and civilian personnel were treated with antibiotics as a precaution after a lab in Maryland discovered in May that a supposedly irradiated anthrax sample contained live spores.

Since early May, the number of labs and facilities known to have received live anthrax has significantly expanded.

On June 1, during a visit to Vietnam, Defense Secretary Ashton Carter pledged to find out who was responsible for shipping the anthrax and "hold them accountable." At the time, the Pentagon said that live anthrax had gone to 24 labs, 11 states and two countries.

The Pentagon boosted the count on June 10, saying it was 68 labs in 19 states and four countries. When the department issued its 30-day review of the scandal on July 23, Work said, "We know over the past 12 years, 86 laboratories in 20 states, the District of Columbia, and seven foreign countries ultimately received what were supposedly inactivated spores that originated at Dugway."

Work called the incidents at Dugway and throughout the system a "massive institutional failure." He said then that he expected the numbers to climb as the Centers for Disease Control investigated for possible "secondary" shipments by the primary labs which received anthrax shipments.

According to the latest Pentagon count, 88 primary labs received live anthrax and shared it with 106 secondary labs for a total of 194 labs.

The samples were from the so-called Ames strain, a particularly virulent form of the bacteria used in the 2001 Anthrax attacks. After letters containing the substance were sent to the offices of news media and U.S. lawmakers, five people were killed and 17 others were infected. Bruce Ivans, a government microbiologist, committed suicide after authorities were preparing to charge him in the case.

The Pentagon's review released in July said, "The low numbers of live spores found in inactivated DoD samples did not pose a risk to the general public, Nonetheless, the shipment of live BA (Bacillus Anthracis) samples outside of the select agent program restrictions (at any concentration) is a serious breach of regulations."

Parsons Government Services Inc. Agrees to Pay $3.8 Million to Settle False Claims Act Allegations

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, September 2, 2015
Parsons Government Services Inc. Agrees to Pay $3.8 Million to Settle False Claims Act Allegations


Parsons Government Services Inc. has agreed to pay the United States $3.8 million to settle allegations that the company knowingly mischarged the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) for ineligible or inflated short-term and long-term employee relocation costs in connection with its contract on the DOE Salt Waste Processing Facility Project (SWPF) at the DOE Savannah River Site in Aiken, South Carolina. Parsons is headquartered in Pasadena, California.

“Those who expect to do business with the government must do so fairly and honestly,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Benjamin C. Mizer, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “Today’s settlement demonstrates that the Department of Justice will pursue contractors that knowingly seek taxpayer funds to which they are not entitled.”

Since Sept. 1, 2002, Parsons has been the primary construction contractor on the DOE’s SWPF project at the Savannah River Site. Pursuant to the terms of the SWPF contract, Parsons was entitled to be reimbursed for the payments it made to eligible employees for moving, meals, lodging and transportation expenses incurred when the employees were relocated or transferred by Parsons to work on the SWPF project in Aiken. In order to be entitled to reimbursement by the DOE, however, Parsons was required to take steps to ensure that the employees met certain contractual requirements of eligibility, such as maintaining a permanent residence at the location from which they were transferred. The United States alleged that Parsons sought and obtained reimbursement for these relocation expenses under the SWPF contract even for employees it knew did not qualify for these payments under the terms of the contract.

“The District of South Carolina continues to devote significant resources to pursuing claims under the False Claims Act and this is yet another example of how this commitment is benefiting the taxpayers by recovering funds for the government,” said U.S. Attorney William N. Nettles of the District of South Carolina.

The settlement was the result of a coordinated effort by the Civil Division’s Commercial Litigation Branch, the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the District of South Carolina, the DOE Savannah River Operations Office and the DOE Office of Inspector General.

The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only; there has been no determination of liability.

2 injured after pickup truck crashes into underside of Freeway overpass near Malaga, California

Two men are in the hospital this morning after crashing into the underside of a highway overpass.

Wednesday, September 02, 2015 07:08AM

MALAGA, Calif. --

Two men are in the hospital Wednesday morning after crashing into the underside of a highway overpass.

California Highway Patrol (CHP) officers say the men were driving northbound on Highway 99 near Malaga , just south of Fresno, when their truck drifted off the road at the Central Avenue overpass. They say the truck then went up the embankment and launched into the air -- hitting the underside of the overpass. The impact smashed in the front of the truck.

Officers say the men were lucky they were wearing their seatbelts. "They are fortunate nothing else happened. Looks like the vehicle took most of the impact, as far as we know the driver was able to walk out of the vehicle and both were transported to the hospital, but they are very lucky," said Officer Jason Steinhauer, California Highway Patrol.

Both men are expected to survive their injuries. Investigators are still trying to figure out what made the driver lose control, but speed comes to mind.

1 dead in rollover crash in northwest Harris County, Texas

One person is dead after a rollover crash in northwest Harris County (KTRK)

Wednesday, September 02, 2015 05:16PM

 

A person is dead after a vehicle rolled over at least once in northwest Harris County Wednesday afternoon.

The crash in the 10300 block of Veterans Memorial has shut down the road in both directions at Frick Road.

We're hearing only one vehicle was involved. Two people were in the vehicle. The other person was sent to the hospital. That person's condition is unknown at this time.

$80,000 worth of jewelry stolen from Mercer County store

A Mercer County jewelry store is reeling after two thieves broke in, smashing display cases, and making off with thousands of dollars worth of diamonds.

By Nora Muchanic

Updated 35 mins ago

HAMILTON TWP., N.J. --

A Mercer County jewelry store is reeling after two thieves broke in, smashing display cases, and making off with thousands of dollars worth of diamonds.

It was 3:30 Wednesday morning when two thieves broke a window and entered Trent Jewelers near Five Points in Hamilton Township.

The first suspect took a swing with a tire iron to smash a display case, while his partner in crime made a beeline to two more cases at the other end of the store.

They filled their bags with $80,000 worth of diamond rings and other estate jewelry and were in and out of the store in 30 seconds.

Trent Jewelers owner Peter Pontani tells us, "He knew he was going to that case. He ran directly to it, and he took out... he busted the glass and took out five trays of diamond rings with each tray had 22 rings in it."

The two men believed to be in their mid-20s were both wearing bandannas to cover their faces.

"Someone had to come in and case the place," said Paul Pontani.

Paul says employees are reviewing the last months store surveillance tapes to see if the burglars appear inside prior to the heist. The video doesn't show a clear picture of their faces, but police are hoping someone out there may recognize the pair.

Capt. James Stevens of Hamilton Twp Police tells us, "Maybe somebody will recognize the mannerisms, the method that they used to break into the place. How they walk."

The Pontanis say insurance doesn't cover items that are not placed in the store safe overnight. And after being robbed of $180,000 worth of jewelry 15 years ago, this family-owned business is reeling after this.

Peter says, "It's a big loss to us. It's like part of our retirement that we would've worked for. It takes so many years in this business to build and then somebody takes it away like that."

Dana Pontani Varhley explains the emotional toll, saying, "It's incredibly painful. You feel it, like it breaks your heart knowing how hard your family works."

The Pontani family is offering a $2,500 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the thieves. Anyone with information is asked to call police.

Legionnaires' found in water distribution system of South Bronx apartment building

By A.J. Ross

Updated 46 mins ago

SOUTH BRONX (WABC) --

The bacteria that causes Legionnaires' disease has been found in the water system of a South Bronx apartment building.

So far, one of the buildings of the Melrose Houses has tested positive for Legionella pneumophilia bacteria. Two other buildings have tested negative, and test results are outstanding on five other buildings in the complex.

Residents got flyers Wednesday evening notifying them of this new case of legionella bacteria.

They also had a community meeting Wednesday night and needless to say a lot people are both worried and frustrated they now have to go through this again.

"A lot of people are complaining about it. They need to fix it, it's been going on for some time now," a resident said.

As a result the Health Department is having NYCHA shut off hot water at the building that tested positive and will install water filters in every apartment unit that will eliminate the bacteria.

Hot water service will be restored as soon as the filters are installed.

"It's crazy because it's been going on for a while, we've been taking cold showers like you know off and on they need to do something about this," said Mit Williams, a resident.

There have been four cases of Legionnaires' at the Melrose Houses in the South Bronx over the past 6 months: one occurring earlier in the year, two during the recently ended South Bronx outbreak, and this most recent case. Only one patient is currently being hospitalized; the other three previous patients have been treated and released. Test results at Melrose House are as follows: 681 Cortlandt Avenue tested positive, 304 East 156th Street and 700 Morris Avenue tested negative.

"It's very scary and creepy to know that it's getting closer and closer to where I live now," said Michelle Macklin, a resident.

Although the water is safe to shower, bath, and drink, people living there say they're scared and don't understand why this keeps happening.

"City needs to get involved and help this little community out," a resident said.

"It needs to be some more things done and if they don't have the funding they should reach out somewhere and find it," another resident said.

Health officials say they're also working on a long-term disinfection plan for the entire complex.

Adults with flu-like symptoms, such as fever, cough, or difficulty breathing, should seek immediate medical attention.

Sunken boat spills oil in Port Orchard's Sinclair Inlet in Washington State

(Photo: KING)

Alex Rozier reports
Alex Rozier, KING 5 News 5:41 p.m. PDT September 2, 2015


 PORT ORCHARD, Wash. -- 


The Coast Guard and the Department of Ecology were working together Wednesday to help clean up an oil spill in Port Orchard.

Around 3:40 a.m. a 70-foot boat sank in Sinclair Inlet. Between the marina staff and the fire department, crews were able to put out an oil spill containment boom and several clean up materials right away.

The Department of Ecology says one of the reasons most of the oil stayed in the marina is because of the response.

The boat is a 70-foot-long wooden vessel that was built as a fishing vessel in 1957. It was later converted to a pleasure craft. The fire department was not able to keep the boat from sinking, so they cut it loose to prevent it from sinking the entire floating dock.

The boat owner chose to not hire a spill response company, so the Coast Guard is forced to pull from the federal oil spill contingency fund. Essentially, as of now, taxpayers are paying for the clean-up. Down the road the owner may be forced to foot part of the bill. The Coast Guard hired Global Diving and Salvage, who has the ability to respond to oil spills and go underwater.

They have two options at this point: 1. They can use special pumps to empty the tanks. 2. Use plugs to close off the air vents from which the oil is floating.

The Department of Ecology admits they are a bit frustrated because they feel this spill could have been prevented. In 2014 this same boat began taking in water, and just a few months ago the DNR offered to remove it from the water because of its poor condition. The Department of Ecology also offered to at least pump out the tank so there would not be a spill. The owner declined their offer.

The consequences include a potential fine, the owner picks up the clean-up costs, and the possibility that a natural resource damage assessment would be done where the owner would be responsible for whatever they determine is the environmental damage.

ANOTHER EXPERIMENTAL (VANS RV-8A) SMALL PLANE HITS THE DUST, TAKES TWO LIVES IN MOCKSVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA

A typical Vans RV-8A plane




Bruce Chapman/Journal

Two people were killed when their plane crashed near Twin Lakes Airport.


Location
 

 
 
Fork Bixby Road Fork

Posted: Wednesday, September 2, 2015 3:20 pm

WGHP/FOX8


Two people were killed in a small-plane crash in Davie County on Wednesday afternoon.

Emergency officials have identified the victims as out of state residents, but their names won't be released until they notify family members. The two were the only people on board.

Davie County Fire Marshal Jerry Myers said the plane crashed about 2:30 p.m.

Part of the plane is in a pond behind Twin Lakes Airport in Advance, Myers said.

Investigators from the Federal Aviation Administration and National Transit Safety Board are on site.

A small fire at the site was extinguished before rescuers arrived. Hazardous material crews also contained the aviation fuel spill with absorbent booms, Myers said.

Date:	02-SEP-2015
Time:	14:30
Type:	VANS RV-8A Experimental
Owner/operator:
Registration:	N393MC
C/n / msn:
Fatalities:	Fatalities: 2 / Occupants: 2
Other fatalities:	0
Airplane damage:	Written off (damaged beyond repair)
Location:	Near Twin Lakes Airport (8A7), Mocksville, NC -   United States of America
Phase:	Take off
Nature:	Unknown
Departure airport:	(8A7)
Destination airport:

Narrative:
The experimental aircraft impacted timbered open field terrain northeast of Twin Lakes Airport (8A7) in Mocksville, southwest of Advance, North Carolina. The airplane sustained substantial damage and the two occupants onboard received fatal injuries. Sources: 
http://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/wiki.php?id=179225 http://www.journalnow.com/journal_west/news/two-killed-in-davie-county-plane-crash/article_acc4f6d0-51a7-11e5-9dc3-032b9ed7819c.html
http://m.wxii12.com/news/2-dead-in-small-plane-crash-near-twin-lakes-airport-in-davie-county/35065010

ANOTHER EXPERIMENTAL SMALL PLANE HITS THE DUST, TAKES PILOT'S LIFE IN HICKMAN COUNTY, TENNESSEE

 
Courtesy: Hickman County Sheriff's Office


Man killed in home-built plane crash in Hickman County

By Nick Caloway Published: September 2, 2015


 HICKMAN COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) – 

A man was killed in a plane crash in Hickman County late Wednesday afternoon.

The single-engine, home-built plane went down off New Hope Road in Bon Aqua, about 50 miles southwest of Nashville, around 3 p.m. Photo: WKRN

Hickman County Sheriff Randall Ward said the plane was “totally destroyed” in the crash, which happened in a densely wooded area.

The pilot has yet to be identified. Crews are still working to remove his body.

The sheriff told News 2 the plane might have been traveling from out of state. Its destination has not been confirmed.

The plane, which was homemade, was considered to be experimental.

The investigation is ongoing. The Federal Aviation Administration has been notified of the crash and will arrive on scene at 7:30 a.m. Thursday.

Date:	02-SEP-2015
Time:	15:30
Type:	Experimental
Owner/operator:
Registration:
C/n / msn:
Fatalities:	Fatalities: 1 / Occupants: 1
Other fatalities:	0
Airplane damage:	Written off (damaged beyond repair)
Location:	Hickman County east of Bon Aqua, TN -   United States of America
Phase:	Unknown
Nature:	Unknown
Departure airport:
Destination airport:

Narrative:
The aircraft impacted dense timbered terrain in Hickman County east of Bon Aqua, Tennessee. The airplane was destroyed and the sole pilot onboard received fatal injuries.
Sources: 
http://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/wiki.php?id=179226 http://wkrn.com/2015/09/02/1-dead-in-plane-crash-in-hickman-county/
http://www.wsmv.com/story/29946066/1-killed-in-hickman-county-plane-crash

Dust from facilities where grain is stored or ensiled can pose serious health problems to grain handlers.

Dust at harvest can create health problems



 By Loretta Sorensen, Midwest Producer




Dusty clouds surrounding combines during grain harvest can trigger uncomfortable short-term respiratory symptoms, but dust from facilities where grain is stored or ensiled can pose serious health problems to grain handlers.

Matthew Keifer, M.D., M.P.H., at Marshfield Clinic in Eau Claire, Wis., says avoiding grain dust while combining helps reduce risk of an adverse reaction. However, dust generated in the field isn’t likely to be the cause of serious health issues.

“Dust from the field isn’t laden with the bacteria often found in grain bins where some grain has molded or decayed,” Keifer said. “If you’re breathing in much dust in the field, you could develop a fever, cough and achy symptoms similar to flu. Generally, within three to four days all those symptoms are gone. It can make you pretty uncomfortable when it happens, but there’s no permanent effect from it.”

Reducing the likelihood of reactions to grain dust in the field can be accomplished by making sure the combine is fitted with appropriate and clean filters that are properly installed. Ensuring door latches fit snugly and all rubber gaskets around windows and doors are in good condition also helps. Keeping the cab as clean as possible reduces the amount of dust circulating in the combine operator’s space.

While dust from fields isn’t often a significant hazard, allergic reactions to it, known as Organic Dust Toxic Syndrome, can be debilitating for some people with chronic health issues or asthma. Field dust from soybeans, corn and other crops consists of inorganic soil particles, organic plant pieces, mold spores, insect parts and endotoxins. Small particles breathed deep into the lungs could cause health problems.

“A lot of grain dust is benign,” Keifer said. “Dust contaminated with bacteria poses the greatest risk.”

There are different types of allergic reactions that include anaphylaxis, eczema, and accumulation of inflammatory cells in the lung. Anaphylaxis can be the result of a bee sting or ingestion of food such as peanuts. Eczema is an autoimmune response and accumulation of inflammatory cells in the lung result from the response of antibodies to an antigen inside the body.

When antibodies respond to antigens, such as bacteria, cells that accumulate in deep lung tissue can damage the tissue. If scarring occurs during tissue healing, the result is stiffening of the tissue and reduced lung performance, which can lead to fibrosis and a condition known as Farmer’s Lung.

“The easiest way to avoid that is to wear a respirator that filters out at least 95 percent of the material in the air,” Keifer said. “Some respirators filter as much as 99 percent of dust particles from the air. The most effective respirator type is one that features a helmet with a mask and a pump that fits on your belt. The respirator pumps air through the respirator filters and feeds fresh air into your breathing space. Even though it can cost as much as $900, it’s the nicest type of respirator to wear because it blows cool air on your face while you’re using it.”

There are seven classes of National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) approved respirators. The minimal level of approved NIOSH air filtration is 95 percent. Details about NIOSH approved air filters and links to manufacturer brands are available at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npptl/topics/respirators/disp_part/.

Exposure to grain dust most often occurs:

• in the combine

• while unloading

• during drying and processing

• in bins

• in an area near any of the above situations

• while grinding/mixing grain and other feed products

Symptoms of grain dust reactions include:

• chest tightness and/or wheezing

• slightly sore/irritated throat

• nasal and eye irritation

• a feeling of being stuffed up and congested all the time

• both chronic and acute bronchitis

Steps to reduce excessive dust exposure include:

• using correct and clean air filters in combines

• avoiding direct exposure to dust whenever possible

• properly adjusting the combine to minimize grain damage and reduce the amount of dust generated

• wearing a certified dust mask that fits properly

• avoiding dust exposure if you have chronic respiratory health issues

• consulting a physician if you feel sick following any dust exposure

• smoking tends to worsen symptoms and reactions to dust exposure

Additional information about preventing and responding to grain dust exposure is available at http://fyi.uwex.edu/agsafety/, key word: grain dust. 


//------------------///

Grain Handling

• 
  
• Standards
• Hazards
• Evaluating and Controlling Exposure
• Other Resources

• Safety and Health Topics

OSHA has developed this webpage to provide workers, employers, and safety and health professionals useful, up-to-date safety and health information on grain handling facilities.

What are grain handling facilities?

Grain handling facilities are facilities that may receive, handle, store, process and ship bulk raw agricultural commodities such as (but not limited to) corn, wheat, oats, barley, sunflower seeds, and soybeans. Grain handling facilities include grain elevators, feed mills, flour mills, rice mills, dust pelletizing plants, dry corn mills, facilities with soybean flaking operations, and facilities with dry grinding operations of soycake.

What are the hazards in grain handling facilities?

The grain handling industry is a high hazard industry where workers can be exposed to numerous serious and life threatening hazards. These hazards include: fires and explosions from grain dust accumulation, suffocation from engulfment and entrapment in grain bins, falls from heights and crushing injuries and amputations from grain handling equipment.
Suffocation is a leading cause of death in grain storage bins. In 2010, 51 workers were engulfed by grain stored in bins, and 26 died-the highest number on record, according to a report issued by Purdue University (PDF) Suffocation can occur when a worker becomes buried (engulfed) by grain as they walk on moving grain or attempt to clear grain built up on the inside of a bin. Moving grain acts like "quicksand" and can bury a worker in seconds. "Bridged" grain and vertical piles of stored grain can also collapse unexpectedly if a worker stands on or near it. The behavior and weight of the grain make it extremely difficult for a worker to get out of it without assistance. OSHA has sent notification letters to approximately 13,000 grain elevator operators warning the employers to not allow workers to enter grain storage facilities without proper equipment, precautions (such as turning off and locking/tagging out all equipment used so that the grain is no being emptied or moving into the bin) and training.
Grain dust explosions are often severe, involving loss of life and substantial property damage. Over the last 35 years, there have been over 500 explosions in grain handling facilities across the United States, which have killed more than 180 people and injured more than 675. Grain dust is the main source of fuel for explosions in grain handling. Grain dust is highly combustible and can burn or explode if enough becomes airborne or accumulates on a surface and finds an ignition source (such as hot bearing, overheated motor, misaligned conveyor belt, welding, cutting, and brazing). OSHA standards require that both grain dust and ignition sources must be controlled in grain elevators to prevent these often deadly explosions.
Falls from height can occur from many walking/working surfaces throughout a grain handling facility. Examples of such surfaces include (but are not limited to) floors, machinery, structures, roofs, skylights, unguarded holes, wall and floor openings, ladders, unguarded catwalks, platforms and manlifts. Falls can also occur as workers move from the vertical exterior ladders on grain bins to the bin roof or through a bin entrance.
Mechanical equipment within grain storage structures, such as augers and conveyors, present serious entanglement and amputation hazards. Workers can easily get their limbs caught in improperly guarded moving parts of such mechanical equipment.
Storage structures can also develop hazardous atmospheres due to gases given off from spoiling grain or fumigation. Workers may be exposed to unhealthy levels of airborne contaminants, including molds, chemical fumigants (toxic chemicals), and gases associated with decaying and fermenting silage. Fumigants are commonly used for insect control on stored grain and many have inadequate warning properties. Exposure to fumigants may cause permanent central nervous system damage, heart and vascular disease, and lung edema as well as cancer. These gases may result in a worker passing out and falling into the grain, thus becoming engulfed and suffocating or otherwise injuring themselves.

What can be done to reduce the hazards in grain handling facilities?

On August 4, 2010 and again on February 1, 2011, OSHA issued warning letters to the grain handling industry following a series of incidents including the recent suffocation of 2 teenagers in Illinois grain elevator. In response to the rising number of workers entrapped and killed in grain storage facilities, OSHA has also issued a new fact sheet, Worker Entry Into Grain Storage Bins (PDF^*) in August 2010 for workers and employers emphasizing the hazards of grain storage bin entry and the safe procedures that all employers must follow. Additionally, OSHA issued a safety and health information bulletin (SHIB) entitled, Combustible Dust in Industry: Preventing and Mitigating the Effects of Fire and Explosions, and a Hazard Alert: Combustible Dust Explosions (PDF^*) fact sheet.
The control of worker's exposure to hazards in grain handling facilities are addressed in the OSHA standard for grain handling facilities (29 CFR 1910.272), as well as in other general industry standards. These standards reduce the risk to workers by requiring that employers follow established, common sense safety practices when working in grain handling facilities.
When workers enter storage bins, employers must (among other things):

1. Turn off and lock out all powered equipment associated with the bin, including augers used to help move the grain, so that the grain is not being emptied or moving out or into the bin. Standing on moving grain is deadly; the grain can act like "quicksand" and bury a worker in seconds. Moving grain out of a bin while a worker is in the bin creates a suction that can pull the workers into the grain in seconds.
2. Prohibit walking down grain and similar practices where an employee walks on grain to make it flow.
3. Provide all employees a body harness with a lifeline, or a boatswains chair, and ensure that it is secured prior to the employee entering the bin.
4. Provide an observer stationed outside the bin or silo being entered by an employee. Ensure the observer is equipped to provide assistance and that their only task is to continuously track the employee in the bin. Prohibit workers from entry into bins or silos underneath a bridging condition, or where a build-up of grain products on the sides could fall and bury them.
5. Train all workers for the specific hazardous work operations they are to perform when entering and working inside of grain bins.
6. Test the air within a bin or silo prior to entry for the presence of combustible and toxic gases, and to determine if there is sufficient oxygen.
7. If detected by testing, vent hazardous atmospheres to ensure that combustible and toxic gas levels are reduced to non hazardous levels, and that sufficient oxygen levels are maintained.
8. Ensure a permit is issued for each instance a worker enters a bin or silo, certifying that the precautions listed above have been implemented.

To prevent dust explosions and fires, employers must (among other things):

1. Develop and implement a written housekeeping program with instructions to reduce dust accumulations on ledges, floors, equipment and other exposed surfaces.
2. Identify "priority" housekeeping areas in grain elevators. The "priority" housekeeping areas include floor areas within 35 feet of inside bucket elevators, floors of enclosed areas containing grinding equipment and floors of enclosed areas containing grain dryers located inside the facility. Dust accumulations in these priority housekeeping areas shall not exceed 1/8th inch. Employers should make every effort to minimize dust accumulations on exposed surfaces since dust is the fuel for a fire or explosion, and it is recognized that a 1/8 inch dust accumulation is more than enough to fuel such occurrences.
3. Inside bucket elevators can undergo primary explosions. OSHA's grain handling standard requires that belts for these bucket elevators purchased after March 30, 1988 are conductive and have a surface electrical resistance not exceeding 300 megohms. Bucket elevators must have an opening to the head pulley section and boot section to allow for inspection, maintenance, and cleaning. Bearings must be mounted externally to the leg casing or the employer must provide vibration, temperature, or other monitoring of the conditions of the bearings if the bearings are mounted inside or partially inside the leg casing. These bucket elevators must be equipped with a motion detection device which will shut-down the elevator when the belt speed is reduced by no more than 20% of the normal operating speed.
4. Implement a preventative maintenance program with regularly scheduled inspections for mechanical and safety control equipment, which may include heat producing equipment such as motors, bearings, belts etc. Preventive maintenance is critical to controlling ignition sources. The use of vibration detection methods, heat sensitive tape or other heat detection methods can help in the implementation of the program.
5. Minimize ignition sources through controlling hot work (electric or gas welding, cutting, brazing or similar flame producing operations).
6. Install wiring and electrical equipment suitable for hazardous locations.
7. Design and properly locate dust collection systems to minimize explosion hazards. All filter collectors installed after March 1988 shall be located outside the facility or located in an area inside the facility protected by an explosion suppression system or located in an area that is separated from other areas by construction having at least a one hour fire resistance rating and which is located next to an exterior wall vented to the outside.
8. Install an effective means of removing ferrous material from grain streams so that such material does not enter equipment such as hammer mills, grinders and pulverizers.

For more information, see OSHA standard (29 CFR 1910.272).

The death of a construction worker atop the Minnesota Vikings’ new stadium occurred after he slid down a roof, broke through a guardrail and fell to an elevated platform below

More details released on Minnesota stadium roof accident
Pole stopped one roofer’s fall, but not the other’s.


By Rochelle Olson Star Tribune
September 1, 2015 — 10:01pm

 
MnDOT Last week's rescue of a fallen worker atop the new Vikings stadium.


The death of a construction worker atop the Minnesota Vikings’ new stadium occurred after he slid down a roof, broke through a guardrail and fell to an elevated platform below, according to a description posted Tuesday on the state Department of Labor and Industry’s fatality investigation page.


Both Jeramie Gruber, who died, and a second worker fell while installing a solid roof, the report said. The worker who survived struck a post that stopped his descent.


The information was posted on the monthly Minnesota Occupational Safety and Health Administration Division’s fatality investigation report page. The page also indicates that an investigation is open into the incident, which occurred at 7:45 a.m. last Wednesday.


The entire description of the accident reads: “While installing a solid roof, two roofers fell and slid down the roof. One struck a post and stopped, but was injured. The other broke through a guardrail and fell onto an elevated platform below.”


The update gives no indication of when the investigation will be complete or the results made public, and it does not address the question of whether the men had or should have had safety harnesses. The process can take months or even years if contractors dispute the findings.


The two men were employees of Mortenson Construction’s subcontractor Berwald Roofing Co. of North St. Paul.


Mortenson executive John Wood said that “the investigation into the tragic incident involving two workers on the U.S. Bank Stadium site is ongoing. We believe it’s appropriate to allow OSHA to finalize their report and to review the findings before providing further comment.”


The surviving worker was released from Hennepin County Medical Center after he received 48 stitches for a deep cut to his leg.


Gruber, 35, was buried Monday in Faribault, Minn., where he grew up and graduated from high school. His obituary on the Boldt Funeral Home website said he was a “kind, honest, loving man” who enjoyed spending time with his wife, Amy Kaplan, and their dog, Girl.

Mistake by a crane operator may have been key to the ctastrophic Bryant structure collapse. A/Z Corporation has a clean safety record, but Barnes Buildings has been cited for three safety violations and fined more than $7,000 since 2010.

 Mistake by a crane operator may have been key to Bryant structure collapse







A wide view of the collapsed steel frame of an athletic practice facility under construction in RI.
By Patrick Anderson
Posted September 2, 2015

SMITHFIELD, R.I. -- 

A mistake by a crane operator has been identified as the possible cause of a building collapse at Bryant University that injured six workers Tuesday morning.
A construction worker who escaped injury told Smithfield police at the scene that crews had been trying to "plumb the building" when the crane operator "must have pulled the steel beam [too] far which caused the structure to collapse," according to a police report released Wednesday. 

The crane operator, identified by the worker only as John, could not be located by Smithfield police and was not interviewed, the report said.


After finding no evidence of suspicious activity, Smithfield police have turned investigation of the building collapse over to the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration, which has six months to issue findings in the case. 

Smithfield Police Captain Michael Rheaume Wednesday said he does not know the identify of the crane operator or his direct employer, but believes he was not among the injured, as none were named John. 

The building crews were working on was a planned 78,000 square-foot indoor artificial-turf sports practice facility Bryant is building adjacent to playing fields on the northern corner of the campus. 

Plumbing the building refers to straightening the vertical beams of a structure so they are squarely aligned perpendicular to the ground. 

Some of the workers injured in the collapse fell from ceiling beams where they had been working and were briefly trapped in the debris. 

According to the police report, one of the workers was a 45-year-old man from Warren and another a 37-year-old man from Tiverton. The others came from Texas, North Carolina and Maryland and their ages ranged from 24 to 46 years old. 

On Tuesday afternoon, Rhode Island Hospital reported that four of the workers had been treated and released. 

Around noon on Wednesday, hospital spokeswoman Beth Bailey said three of the workers had been treated and released, but three remain patients and are in good condition. 

Both Rhode Islanders are among those still in the hospital. 

The general contractor on the Bryant practice facility was A/Z Corporation of North Stonington, Conn. and the subcontractor erecting the steel was Barnes Buildings and Management Group Inc. of Weymouth, Mass. It was not a union job. 

A/Z Corporation has a clean safety record, according to OSHA, but Barnes Buildings has been cited for three safety violations and fined more than $7,000 since 2010 by the agency. 

Calls to both contractor and subcontractor were not returned. 

Meanwhile at Bryant, crews erected a fence around the accident site and forensic engineers and insurance adjusters Wednesday combed through the rubble, said university spokeswoman Liz O'Neil. The steel frame of the building will not be removed until inspections are done. 

Although Bryant has indicated it intends to continue the practice facility project, O'Neil said she does not know what the next steps in that process are. 

Bryant's fall semester classes begin Tuesday.


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 Some information for  Barnes Buildings and Management Group Inc. of Weymouth, Mass.taken from their web pages

About Us

Since 1996, we have completed design-build projects throughout New England, teaming with our customers to provide design and value enhancements for their engineered systems building needs.

BARNES buildings performs OSHA compliant, professional steel erection and metal installation services with our own trained and equipped crews. Our inter-corporate motto remains “Safety, Quality & Production, every job, every day!” BARNES buildings is prepared to provide exceptional products and service for you on your next project!


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Bryant University





Steel structure collapses at Bryant University; Six workers hurt 

Posted: September 01, 2015
By NBC 10 News 


Bryant University SMITHFIELD, R.I. -

A pile of crumpled steel sat where a building under construction collapsed Tuesday on the campus of Bryant University, injuring six workers.

According to Smithfield Fire Chief Robert Selzer, workers were constructing a 78,000-square foot Indoor Practice Facility near the Chase Athletic Center when steel beams fell over at about 8:15 a.m.

"They just started construction, were erecting steel, when something happened on site, the steel in place fell over," Seltzer said.

The collapse injured six construction workers, some of whom fell 30 feet from the top of the steel beams. A few were trapped briefly under the steel, but fire officials say they were easily extricated.

All six men were transported to Rhode Island Hospital. Four of them were released by Thursday afternoon.

"A couple complained of back pain, couple leg injuries, nothing life-threatening. All were alert and conscious upon our arrival. It was reported two briefly lost consciousness for a few seconds," said Capt. Jonathan Polak of the Smithfield Fire Department.

The university broke ground on the project in May, and it was scheduled to open next year.

Elizabeth O'Neil, a university spokeswoman, said construction of the steel beams just started in the past 10 days.

"They were putting up the steel framing that the roof would later go on top of," O'Neil said.

The project is now on hold as the investigation begins into what went wrong, she said.

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, A/Z Corporation of North Stonington, Connecticut, is the general contractor and that the sub-contractor that was erecting the steel was Barnes Buildings of North Weymouth, Massachusetts. The university has not officially started the school year. Some students have started to move in, but opening convocation is set for Sept. 9.

OSHA sends warning to Allen Harim Foods LLC, a poultry processing plant located in Harbeson, Del. Deficient medical management leads to musculoskeletal injuries at Delaware poultry processing plant.

Sept. 2, 2015

Deficient medical management leads to musculoskeletal injuries at Delaware
poultry processing plant.  

OSHA sends warning to Harbeson, Del., company

Employer name: Allen Harim Foods LLC, a poultry processing plant located in Harbeson, Del.

Hazard Alert Letter issued: A hazard alert letter was issued on Aug. 7, 2015

Investigation findings: Occupational Safety and Health Administration inspectors identified deficiencies in the facility's medical management program that contribute to the likelihood of workers developing serious musculoskeletal disorders. In addition to deficient staffing; inadequate supervision; lack of experience and training on the part of the healthcare providers; and providers working outside their scope of practice, the employer uses a first aid station to evaluate and treat MSDs. Inspectors also found that the employer did not refer injured workers to qualified outside healthcare providers for evaluation and treatment when appropriate and that workers were discouraged from reporting symptoms and injuries.

In June, OSHA cited Allen Harim Foods for a total of nine violations, including a serious citation for the company's failure to address the musculoskeletal disorder hazards.

Quote: "The medical management practices at this facility create an environment of fear and distrust," said Erin G. Patterson, OSHA area director in Wilmington. "The use of the first aid station to prevent injuries from being reported as required by law undermines the purpose of on-site treatment and leaves employees at risk of further injury. Discouraging workers from reporting injuries is unacceptable."

Information on poultry processing: https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/poultry/index.html
https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/poultryprocessing/index.html

To ask questions; obtain compliance assistance; file a complaint; or report amputations, eye loss, 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 Wilmington Area Office at 302-573-6518.

OSHA says pinsetter at Galaxy Bowling Center lacked safety mechanisms. Bowling center mechanic’s strangulation death a 'preventable workplace tragedy'

September 2, 2015

Bowling center mechanic’s strangulation death a 'preventable workplace tragedy'.

OSHA says pinsetter at Galaxy Bowling Center lacked safety mechanisms

BROWNSVILLE, Texas - 

A 29-year-old man working at a Brownsville bowling alley died when his shirt collar tangled in a faulty pinsetter, strangling him as the machine twisted the collar tighter.

Hired part-time as a mechanic, Vidal Garcia had worked at Galaxy Bowling Center for four months before the accident on March 5, 2015. He was doing maintenance on an automatic bowling pinsetter, a machine that picks up and clears fallen pins and sets them for the next bowler.

A U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration inspection found that the machine's unguarded, rotating shafts and improper shutdown of a control panel at Galaxy led to Garcia's death. OSHA cited the company for 10 serious safety violations on Sept. 2.

"Vidal Garcia died in a preventable workplace tragedy," said Michele Shield, OSHA's acting area director in Corpus Christi. "Galaxy Bowling knew the pinsetter had problems, yet employers allowed him to crawl into the machine while it was on to fix it."

OSHA inspectors also found that the company lacked a program to prevent unintentional operation of machinery during service and maintenance, a process known as lockout/tagout. The agency also noted that the pin rotating shaft and the ball-return mechanisms lacked guards to prevent workers from coming near and catching on operating parts.

OSHA has proposed penalties of $50,400 for the citations*.

Galaxy Bowling employs 40 workers. It has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA's area director, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

To ask questions, obtain compliance assistance, file a complaint, or report amputations, eye loss, 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 Corpus Christi Area Office at 361-888-3420.

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

CSX coal train derails in Randolph County, Indiana; 9 cars were off tracks

(Photo: Jordan Kartholl / The Star Press)



Douglas Walker, dwalker@muncie.gannett.com 
September 2, 2015PARKER CITY, INDIANA- 

Randolph County officials were responding Wednesday afternoon to a 16-car train derailment that had closed one county road.

Sheriff Ken Hendrickson said Randolph County Road 1000-W, which runs directly east of Monroe Central Jr-Sr. High School, would be closed for several hours.

The sheriff said nine of the 16 cars -- which were empty coal cars -- were off the tracks and on their sides near the crossing. Seven other cars remained upright but were considered derailed, he said.

The derailed cars were at the end of a westbound locomotive, on the east-west tracks that run parallel to Ind. 32.

No injuries were reported. Traffic on county roads 900-W and 1100-W has been not impacted by the derailment, which was reported just after 3:30 p.m., the sheriff said.

Hendrickson said cranes would likely have to be brought to the scene to lift the overturned cars back onto the tracks.

The cause of the derailment was not immediately known, but foul play was not suspected, the sheriff said.