On the day of the incident, a semitruck with a trailer backed up to a supermarket chain’s loading dock. A freight clerk opened the back of the trailer, checked the freight and determined that the truck was at the wrong dock.

A 44-year-old demolition worker was removing roofing components from a former auto dealership. He had worked for his employer for five days. The worker was on the building’s roof when he stepped backward and onto a skylight, which broke under his weight.

A 45-year-old construction worker employed by a custom homebuilder arrived at a site to finish punch list items for a new home. The worker was pressure-washing the home’s driveway when a worker from a landscaping business arrived and parked a medium-duty dump truck at the top of the driveway.

The process of digging the trench, which was not shored, exposed a 3-inch water line that was about 3 feet below grade and ran the length of the trench. No attempt was made to shut off the water line before work began or after it was uncovered.

A semitruck driver arrived at a construction site to deliver roofing materials on a flatbed trailer. Because the load left no room for the driver to bring a forklift, he asked workers at the site to use their company’s telehandler forklift to unload the trailer.

A 51-year-old tree trimmer and certified arborist was part of a three-person crew sent to cut down a storm-damaged maple in the backyard of a private residence. The trimmer oversaw the crew and jobsite.

A 61-year-old truck driver who worked for a general freight carrier parked his truck at his employer’s terminal yard and slept overnight in the truck’s sleeper berth.

Washington — The Environmental Protection Agency wants to ban most industrial and commercial uses of methylene chloride.

Washington — The Environmental Protection Agency wants to ban most commercial use – and all consumer use – of the chemical substance perchloroethylene.

Washington — Chemical facility operators and workers should pay particular attention to hazards during startup, shutdown, standby and other transient operations in facilities covered under OSHA’s Process Safety Management standard.

Washington — Facilities that handle flammable gases and other hazardous materials should ensure their workers and supervisors undergo process safety management and emergency response training, the Chemical Safety Board says.

Dallas — Chemical facility operators along the Gulf Coast should take steps to actively prevent releases during hurricanes or other hazardous weather events, the Environmental Protection Agency says.

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 — 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 — 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 — 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 – OSHA’s latest National Emphasis Program focuses on isocyanates, a family of chemicals used in a wide range of materials, including paints, varnishes and building insulation.

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.

Durham, NC – Workers exposed to oil dispersants during cleanup of the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil rig disaster are likely to experience respiratory issues and other health problems, according to a new study from the National Institutes of Health.

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.