Washington — The Chemical Safety Board says it’s on track to clear its investigation backlog by the end of the year, with a growing staff focused on “moving the CSB forward.”

Washington — Chemical facilities should create processes to control or eliminate “dead legs” – stagnant sections of piping that may be susceptible to corrosion or hazardous materials, the Chemical Safety Board says.

Washington — The Environmental Protection Agency wants to protect workers against exposure to the chemical substance carbon tetrachloride – and ban uses that already have been phased out.

Washington — OSHA should amend its guidance on the control of reactive hazards element of its standard on process safety management of highly hazardous chemicals (1910.119), the Chemical Safety Board says.

Washington — Hurricanes and high winds could “significantly impact” the U.S. bulk-power system and lead to the release of hazardous chemicals if facilities lose power, the Chemical Safety Board says.

Washington — The Environmental Protection Agency says the potentially carcinogenic chemical substance 1,4-dioxane poses “unreasonable risk” to workers under certain conditions.

Washington — Chemical facilities “need to act now” to prepare for a hurricane season that’s predicted to be more active than usual, the Chemical Safety Board says.

Washington — The Chemical Safety Board says it “appreciates” a recent Environmental Protection Agency initiative that emphasizes compliance at chemical facilities that use the toxic substance hydrogen fluoride.

Washington — An Environmental Protection Agency final rule will require manufacturers and importers of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances to report information on PFAS use, exposures and hazards.

Washington — The Environmental Protection Agency intends to issue a proposed rule that would ban the use of the toxic chemical trichloroethylene.

Washington — Two federal safety agencies are urging owners of certain “nurse” tanks used to transport anhydrous ammonia to check the tanks for potential “catastrophic failure.”

Washington — By steadily increasing investigative staff and restructuring tasks, the Chemical Safety Board is “getting close to at least hitting on all cylinders,” Chair Steve Owens said during a July 25 public meeting.

Washington – NIOSH is looking for companies that use spray polyurethane foam to participate in a study about the health effects of occupational exposure to flame retardants.

Shoveling and snowblowing can be potentially dangerous to your health if not performed properly

Superficial frostbite, in which the skin feels cold and numb. The surface of the skin will have a white waxy look, with grayish-yellow patches in affected areas.

Those working outdoors in the summer – or working indoors in hot environments such as bakeries, laundries and manufacturing plants – can be at risk of a number of heat-induced disorders.

Working outside in the winter exposes employees to a number of hazards, including the risk of weather-related conditions such as frostbite. Cold weather can affect the body's senses, altering the ability to see, smell and feel, according to the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries.

A lightning strike happens faster than the blink of an eye. And just that quickly, lives can be changed.