Check out Safety Emporium for your N95, N99, and face shield needs.
From: "Secretary, ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety" <secretary**At_Symbol_Here**DCHAS.ORG>
Subject: [DCHAS-L] Chemical Safety headlines from Google (13 articles)
Date: August 27, 2012 7:32:12 AM EDT
Reply-To: DCHAS-L <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU>
Message-ID: <AFCB5920-AE93-444B-B827-91CB21470374**At_Symbol_Here**DCHAS.ORG>
Chemical Safety Headlines From Google
Monday, August 27, 2012 7:31:59 AM
A service of the ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety
Connecting Chemistry and Safety at http://www.dchas.org
All article summaries and tags are archived at http://pinboard.in/u:dchas
Table of Contents (13 articles)
INDIA: IIT-B SYSTEM TO KEEP LABS SAFE
Tags: India, laboratory, follow-up, response
ALEMBIC CHEMICAL UNIT GUTTED IN FIRE
Tags: India, industrial, fire, injury, solvent
NO SERIOUS INJURIES IN HOSPITAL FORMALDEHYDE LEAK
Tags: us_NJ, public, release, response, formaldehyde
FIRE FORCES EVACUATIONS IN AVONDALE
Tags: us_PA, industrial, fire, response, toxics
NEW ORLEANS LOCAL NEWS, WEATHER, SPORTS, INVESTIGATIONS
Tags: us_LA, industrial, explosion, death, biodiesel, methanol, sulfuric_acid
GLOBALTIMES.CN
Tags: China, industrial, explosion, death, hydrogen_peroxide
UNDERGROUND EXPLOSION KILLS FISH IN THE DANUBE
Tags: Austria, public, explosion, environmental, bomb
MINOR BLAST IN MIRA ROAD SHOP SPARKS PANIC IN AREA
Tags: India, public, explosion, response
HAZMAT CREWS INVESTIGATE AT LINCOLN TECH
Tags: us_PA, education, release, injury, ammonia
CHEMICAL SPILL FORCES APARTMENT EVACUATIONS IN CARRBORO
Tags: us_NC, public, release, response, unknown_chemical
ACID SPILL CLOSES BANK FOR A TIME THURSDAY
Tags: us_SD, public, release, response, acids
TWO MEN BURNED IN OIL WELL FIRE
Tags: us_ND, industrial, explosion, injury, petroleum
CHEMICAL FIRE CLAIMS LIFE AT HARVEY PLANT
Tags: us_LA, public, explosion, death, diesel
---------------------------------------------
INDIA: IIT-B SYSTEM TO KEEP LABS SAFE
http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/iitb-system-to-keep-labs-safe/993577/
Tags: India, laboratory, follow-up, response
Very little is known about safety policies followed in labs of universities and colleges in India where students and staff are often exposed to hazards. The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Bombay, is making an exception to this by setting up a formal, strict and transparent safety management system. Students and academic and non-academic staff will soon be able to report online any mishap/ near-miss accident in research labs, reasons behind it and action taken, as part of the occupational health and safety management system (OHSMS) being put in place.
"The scope of research activities in the institute has increased significantly and there are hazards involved. Hence, it mandates that we have a system in place to ensure that students and staff work in a safe and healthy environment," said Sajith K V, Safety Officer, IIT-B. The OHSMS will mandate regular training, audits and compliance reports. A dedicated webpage has been created listing the safety policy, lab safety manuals, training modules, audit reports and any mishap that has occurred and the steps taken subsequently. "All the information will be available on webpage for public and will be linked to the main IIT-B webpage," said Sajith. "A manual, a formal guide has been developed in accordance with the Indian Standard (IS) OHSMS 18001:2007".
According to the manual, one has to identify hazards at each level of a research activity, assess the risks, determine measures to bring risks to an acceptable level, and implement the measures. The procedure of hazard identification and legal requirements will be spelled out. Emergency response and critical incident recovery plans after an accident have also been developed.
A safety cell has been set up and will provide safe work facilities. It will liaison with safety committees in each department. All students, faculty and non-academic staff will have to be well-versed with safety procedures in their labs. Training modules are being developed in biosafety, chemical safety, cryogenics safety, fire safety, gas cylinder safety, laser safety, machine safety, OH&S awareness and radiation safety.
---------------------------------------------
ALEMBIC CHEMICAL UNIT GUTTED IN FIRE
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/alembic-chemical-unit-gutted-in-fire/993678/
Tags: India, industrial, fire, injury, solvent
A solvant recovery plant of chemical major Alembic Limited was gutted at the company's manufacturing facility in Panelav village near Halol in Panchmahals district on Sunday after a major fire broke out late on Saturday night. Three workers and a security guard sustained minor injuries in the incident.
According to company officials, the fire broke out at 11.45 pm on Monday after a boiler in the plant reportedly burst due to some technical snag. There were 133 people at work when the plant caught fire but all of them were rescued safely, General Manager (HR) of Alembic Group Prahash Mehta said.
However, three workers reportedly received bruises while running for safety even as a security man jumped from a watchtower and sustained leg injuries.
"No major injuries have been reported. All the workers were moved out of the factory safely. The security guard was given primary treatment," Mehta told The Indian Express.
---------------------------------------------
NO SERIOUS INJURIES IN HOSPITAL FORMALDEHYDE LEAK
http://easthanover-florhampark.patch.com/articles/formaldehyde-leak-reported-at-hospital
Tags: us_NJ, public, release, response, formaldehyde
An unusual odor was reported at the Morristown Medical Center around 7 a.m. on Saturday morning, crews from Whippany HazMat, the Morristown Fire Department and the Morristown EMS investigated and found leaking formaldehyde, according Janina Hecht, a spokesperson for the hospital.
Formaldehyde, according to Hecht, is used to produce formalin, which the hospital uses as a disinfectant and for the "preservation of biological specimens."
Five employees were evaluate for exposure, and, after no serious injuries were immediately reported, units cleared the area by 9 a.m., Hecht said.
---------------------------------------------
FIRE FORCES EVACUATIONS IN AVONDALE
http://www.dailylocal.com/article/20120825/NEWS01/120829728/fire-forces-evacuations-in-avondale
Tags: us_PA, industrial, fire, response, toxics
AVONDALE -- A late morning chemical fire forced the evacuations of homes in the 100 block of the borough on Saturday morning.
The incident occurred at the rear of the Edlon plant on Pomeroy Avenue. The Chester County Hazardous Materials Unit as well as fire companies from West Grove and Avondale responded to the small fire. An emergency responder at the scene said toxic chemicals combined to create the fire and emit potentially dangerous gases. A resident who had been evacuated earlier was told after the fire was extinguished to delay returning to his home until it was ascertained that harmful gases had not accumulated within his dwelling.
---------------------------------------------
NEW ORLEANS LOCAL NEWS, WEATHER, SPORTS, INVESTIGATIONS
http://www.fox8live.com/story/19376122/chemical-plant-fire-kills-a-man
Tags: us_LA, industrial, explosion, death, biodiesel, methanol, sulfuric_acid
Harvey, LA -- A man is dead after fire broke out at a chemical plant in Harvey.
Local and state leaders want to find out if there was anything illegal which may have caused the fire.
Around 9:00pm Friday members of the Harvey Volunteer Fire Department battled a two alarm chemical fire in the 1200 block of Peter's Road.
Investigators believe a chemist with Gold Leaf Energy was mixing approximately 30 gallons of Sulfuric Acid and 150 gallons of Methanol when the mixture sprayed on him and exploded.
The chemist died at the scene and another person suffered minor injuries.
The back of the building went up flames and spread to two cars nearby.
"And the cars created some damage to the building. The insulation to the building caught on fire because of the heat transfer," says Terry Thibodaux of the Harvey Volunteer Fire Department.
Local and state fire investigators are trying to determine if there were hazardous chemicals inside the building at the time of the fire that have not been registered with the state.
"It has something to do with Bio Diesel Fuel and I'm told these types of operations are popping up all over the place so they're really going under the radar so we need to get a handle and who needs to be held accountable," says Chris Roberts of the Jefferson Parish Council.
---------------------------------------------
GLOBALTIMES.CN
http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/729205.shtml
Tags: China, industrial, explosion, death, hydrogen_peroxide
One person was killed and seven were injured in an explosion at a chemical plant in Zibo, Shandong Province on Saturday afternoon, local authorities said Sunday.
The fire occurred at the Guojin Chemical Co in the city's Huantai county after a hydrogen peroxide manufacturing facility exploded. Two people are still missing.
The injured are in a stable condition at hospital. The cause of the accident is still under investigation.
---------------------------------------------
UNDERGROUND EXPLOSION KILLS FISH IN THE DANUBE
http://austrianindependent.com/news/General_News/2012-08-26/12013/Underground_explosion_kills_fish_in_the_Danube
Tags: Austria, public, explosion, environmental, bomb
Underground explosion kills fish in the Danube
Austrian river police and firemen have pulled thousands of dead fish out of the river Danube after a massive explosion believed to have been from an unexploded World War II bomb shook the city of Vienna on Saturday night.
The river was temporarily closed after the explosion but traffic is now once again being allowed to travel. Underwater divers are expected to start searching in the next few days for the location of the explosion.
The blast was so strong that it could be heard several kilometres away and it also sent a huge fountain of water into the air. A Vienna police spokesman said: "We were fortunate that there was no ship traffic at the time.
"But the large volume of dead fish shows that the explosion must have been extremely powerful. Because of the strength of the explosion we believe it was probably a flying bomb with a faulty timer. If it didn't go off at the time it doesn't mean that it will never explode - it is just impossible to predict exactly when. At some stage a chemical reaction is likely and that caused the blast to happen. "
---------------------------------------------
MINOR BLAST IN MIRA ROAD SHOP SPARKS PANIC IN AREA
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/Minor-blast-in-Mira-Road-shop-sparks-panic-in-area/articleshow/15781817.cms
Tags: India, public, explosion, response
MUMBAI: An explosion in a grocery shop at Naya Nagar in Mira Road, believed to have been caused due to a chemical or gas in the wee hours of Sunday, triggered panic in the locality. No one was injured.
According to the Mira Road police, an explosion was heard at the KGN grocery shop at Narendra Park around 2am, igniting flames. Residents of the building woke up on hearing the sound of the blast. Personnel from the nearby Naya Nagar police chowky and fire brigade rushed to the shop, which had a huge stock of kerosene and oil in the passage outside. The fire brigade, which gained entry into the shop by breaking the iron gates and shutters, managed to contain the blaze within 15 minutes. "The explosion could have been due to some gas which got trapped," said additional superintendent of police, Thane Rural, Sangramsinh Nishandar
---------------------------------------------
HAZMAT CREWS INVESTIGATE AT LINCOLN TECH
http://www.wfmz.com/news/news-regional-lehighvalley/Hazmat-crews-investigate-at-Lincoln-Tech/-/132502/16254270/-/1g6pirz/-/index.html
Tags: us_PA, education, release, injury, ammonia
SOUTH WHITEHALL TWP., Pa. -
Three people were taken to local hospitals Friday after falling ill at Lincoln Technical Institute in Lehigh County, officials said.
A call came in shortly before 11 a.m. Friday for reports of several people feeling ill at the school in South Whitehall Township.
A crew on the scene said a dozen ambulances responded to the school at 5151 Tilghman Street, near the entrance to the Pennsylvania Turnpike's Northeast Extension.
of ammonia at the school.
The three sickened people were transported to local hospitals as a precaution, officials said.
---------------------------------------------
CHEMICAL SPILL FORCES APARTMENT EVACUATIONS IN CARRBORO
http://www2.nbc17.com/news/orange-county/2012/aug/24/2/chemical-spill-forces-apartment-evacuations-carrbo-ar-2543891/
Tags: us_NC, public, release, response, unknown_chemical
CARRBORO, N.C. --
A chemical spill forced the evacuation of three apartment buildings in two complexes off of Highway 54 in Carrboro Friday night.
Neighbors say a resident was mixing chemicals between buildings in the University Lakes and Carolina Apartments area.
Carrboro Fire Chief Travis Crabtree said they are trying to figure out what the resident was doing and the type of chemicals he was mixing.
The resident, who is a male, lives at the University Lakes Apartments. Investigators are waiting for the DEA agents on scene to determine whether it is safe to search his apartment.
Neighbors and witnesses told officials that there were drugs involved in this incident.
---------------------------------------------
ACID SPILL CLOSES BANK FOR A TIME THURSDAY
http://www.argusleader.com/article/20120824/NEWS/308240030/Acid-spill-closes-bank-time-Thursday?gcheck=1&nclick_check=1
Tags: us_SD, public, release, response, acids
he Wells Fargo Bank at 57th Street and Cliff Avenue was evacuated Thursday morning after a cleaning acid was spilled on the floor and began eating away at the tile.
Det. Jonathan Carda said the incident occurred at about 10 a.m., and the bank was evacuated shortly thereafter. Sioux Falls Fire Rescue neutralized the roughly 1-square-foot area affected, and employees were allowed back into the building later in the day.
Carda said no one was injured or affected by the cleaning acid, and it appears it was an accidental spill by an unknown person.
---------------------------------------------
TWO MEN BURNED IN OIL WELL FIRE
http://www.jamestownsun.com/event/article/id/167730/group/News/
Tags: us_ND, industrial, explosion, injury, petroleum
ARNEGARD, N.D. Ñ A cigarette lighter may have caused a fire at an oil well site Wednesday near here that seriously burned two men, a spokesman for the company that owned the well said.
Two men were seriously burned in what the McKenzie County Sheriff's Office called an oil well explosion that was reported at 12:05 p.m. Wednesday.
Bruce Ford, 52, and Rod Law, 48, were working at the well owned by Statoil and were badly burned, the sheriff's office said.
They were taken by ambulance to Mercy Medical Center in Williston and then flown to the burn center at Regions Hospital in St. Paul. Ford was in fair condition Thursday and Law was in critical condition, a hospital spokesman said.
---------------------------------------------
CHEMICAL FIRE CLAIMS LIFE AT HARVEY PLANT
http://www.wwl.com/pages/14075660.php?contentType=4&contentId=11305428
Tags: us_LA, public, explosion, death, diesel
A two-alarm chemical fire took the life of a chemist at a bio-diesel plant near the Harvey Canal Friday night.
According to the Assistant Chief of the Harvey Volunteer Fire Department, the chemist was mixing chemicals in a container at Gold Leaf Energy in the 1200 block of Peters Road when there was a reaction and an explosion.
Two cars were totaled in the blaze, but fire officials were able to quickly bring the fire under control.
No other injuries have been reported, although the victim was working with another man at the time.
Officials did not call any evacuations. Parish President John Young said there was no chemical release from the explosion.
---------------------------------------------
Previous post | Top of Page | Next post