EPA tightens safety provisions for nanotech workers
On Wednesday, June 24, EPA established a new federal rule that requires nanotechnology workers exposed to carbon nanotubes to use respirators and wear protective clothing. The new direct final rule will go into effect Aug. 24, 2009.
Under the new rule, EPA designated 23 chemical substances as a “significant new use” under a provision of the Toxic Substances Control Act of 1976. The rule requires companies manufacturing, importing or processing any of the 23 substances to notify EPA at least 90 days before commencing the activity.
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In last month’s issue of funding ActiviTEES we reported the need for Hazardous Materials Training before transporting, shipping, receiving, handling or storing hazardous materials.
You might not be aware of the other safety training classes that are available on our Engineering SafetyNet web site at http://engineering.tamu.edu/safety/. Just click on the “Training” menu to see the list of available environmental health and safety training courses, including: (more…)
A HAZARD is anything with the potential to cause harm. RISK is the probability of a negative outcome from exposure to a hazard. A substance is defined as HAZARDOUS if it has one or more of the following characteristics: flammable, explosive, toxic, or reactive.
Also, substances are defined as HAZARDOUS if they are specifically listed by regulation; for example: OSHA, EPA, and DOT publish lists of materials deemed hazardous.
The six (6) main HAZARD CATEGORIES are: 
- Physical Hazards
- Chemical Hazards
- Biological Hazards
- Radiological Hazards
- Ergonomic Hazards
- Behavioral Hazards
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Researchers using hazardous materials must complete U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) training before transporting, shipping, receiving, handling or storing hazardous materials, under the new TEES procedures in effect at September 01, 2008 for FY-2009. Similar requirements affect university employees, as well. (more…)
Project Safety Analysis (PSA)
A Tool For Reducing Risk By Participative Development of
A Project-Specific Hazard Control And Safety Plan.
The Engineering Program began requiring PSAs in February 1996: “For each project with significant hazards conducted by Engineering employees in Engineering facilities, the Faculty Researcher or Principle Investigator (PI) must initiate a Project Safety Analysis (PSA) on each new project, BEFORE the project begins.” In Spring 2001, Texas A&M University began requiring formal safety analysis and planning for activities and projects of recognized student organizations, academic class projects, and other activities of concern.�
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INTRODUCTION:
On November 20, 2007, DHS issued the final list of Chemicals of Interest that may trigger application of the DHS Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS).
The CFATS regulate the security of high-risk chemical facilities by establishing risk-based performance standards for the security of such facilities.
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