Fed-OSHA investigation opened into Illinois ethanol plant explosion

Grain dust caught fire and exploded at a Peoria ethanol plant last Wednesday. Despite the size of the explosion, which may have caused at least $2 billion in damage, it only injured two employees at the plant, both of whom were treated for smoke inhalation. Grain and dust was scattered on the ground Thursday, around the two collapsed silos. Heart of Illinois

 

Texas: Tea officials wants more safety training following Fed-OSHA report

Tea, Texas officials say they’re surprised by the fines Fed-OSHA has proposed against a Sioux Falls, South Dakota construction company for alleged trench safety violations on road construction projects in the municipalities of Tea and Salem. Tea city officials say the citations may reflect a need for more training of the construction crews by the company. KELO

 

Investigation finds no violations in on-campus fatal accident

Fed-OSHA has concluded the contractor in charge of the construction site at Texas A&M University-San Antonio did not make any violations to cause the incident that killed a construction worker and injured another in September. The employee was crushed by an air-handling unit that was being moved, when a gust of wind pushed the unit, causing it to fall on him. Mesquite

 

Nevada OSHA adds wildfire exposure rules for outdoor employees

Nevada OSHA is adding wildfire smoke exposure rules. The agency says when air quality is affected by wildfire smoke, employers should consider implementing safety procedures, provide training and determine when respiratory protection is needed. Presently, Nevada OSHA has not disseminated enforceable standards that define outdoor air quality requirements, exposure limits or work stoppage requirements. KNPR

 

House vote to expand federal wildland fire benefits seen as step toward parity

Government and academic studies have shown firemen are 9% more likely to develop cancer and 14% more likely to die from it, due to their exposure to smoke and toxic chemicals. A new bill, passed by the U.S. House on May 11 would create a presumption that federal firemen who are diagnosed with 16 medical conditions, including several cancers, developed the conditions because of their work fighting fires. Idaho Capital Sun