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A combination of technical failures and unsafe operational practices at the Marathon Martinez Renewables facility in Martinez, California, led to a November 19, 2023, fire, according to a final report issued March 13 by the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB). During the facility’s initial start-up of a renewable diesel hydroprocessing unit, a […]
Back to Basics is a weekly feature that highlights important but possibly overlooked information that any EHS professional should know. This week, we examine how to control the health hazards of wildfires. Active wildfires and recovery and cleanup work following a fire pose unique hazards for workers. The health effects of wildfire smoke can range from […]
On February 3, 2025, the EPA announced it launched the largest wildfire hazardous waste cleanup in the history of the Agency as it assists local governments and residents in the wake of catastrophic fires in Los Angeles County. As of that date, the EPA had completed reconnaissance at 6,022 properties, which included 3,636 properties impacted […]
In response to continuing recovery and cleanup efforts following wildfires in Southern California, the state’s Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) posted updated guidance for workers and employers on how to proceed rapidly and safely to address the risks associated with fire debris removal and cleanup, the DIR announced February 5. Hazardous conditions persist, even after […]
Employers performing cleanup work following the recent Los Angeles and Ventura County fires are subject to California’s workplace safety and health regulations, according to the state’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA). The state workplace safety and health agency recently updated its guidelines for fire cleanup. The safety hazards of fire cleanup include demolition, […]
Exacerbated by strong, dry Santa Ana winds; low humidity; dry vegetation; and a long period with scarce rainfall, to date, the recent fires in the Los Angeles area of California have resulted in at least 28 fatalities; consumed more than 40,000 acres; and damaged more than 17,000 structures. Approximately 200,000 people were ordered to evacuate, […]
The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) raised its maximum penalties for regulatory, general, willful, or repeat safety and health violations, the agency announced January 27. Cal/OSHA is a division of the state’s Department of Industrial Relations (DIR). The state workplace safety and health agency set the following maximum penalties: The agency is […]
On January 7, the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) issued a wildfire smoke alert in response to the Palisades Fire’s impact on air quality in Los Angeles County’s Pacific Palisades area. The state agency reminded California employers of their duty to protect workers from the health effects of wildfire smoke. Cal/OSHA’s wildfire […]
In this installment of EHSDA Shorts, Derek Sang, QSSP, CSHEP (IASHEP), Senior Technical Training Manager, Bulwark Protection, explains the updated definition of flame-resistant (FR) engineering.
On November 22, the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) released an update on its investigation into a September 29 chemical reaction and toxic gas release at the Bio-Lab, Inc., facility in Conyers, Georgia. The incident led to a massive fire and plume of toxic smoke that threatened the surrounding community and the […]