Flashings

NIOSH recommends ways to prevent hearing loss

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has recommendations for preventing permanent hearing loss in the workplace.

Approximately 22 million U.S. workers are exposed to hazardous noise levels at work. Hearing damage caused by exposure to loud noise may occur long before changes in hearing are perceived, and hearing lost because of noise is permanent.

To prevent hearing loss, NIOSH recommends using feasible noise controls, such as enclosures, coated chains and isolators; informing management about worn or broken noise controls and noisy machinery; replacing and repairing defective mufflers; using remote controls for machine operation; limiting time in noisy areas by rotating co-workers; turning off equipment when it is not in use; wearing hearing protection, such as expandable foam plugs, canal caps or earmuffs when exposure to noise is unavoidable; maintaining and lubricating equipment; and cleaning and maintaining fan silencers.

IRS revises tax guide

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has made available its newly revised comprehensive tax guide for taxpayers, Publication 17 (2011), Your Federal Income Tax. The guide, available at www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p17.pdf, features information about taking advantage of a wide range of tax-saving opportunities, such as the American Opportunity Tax Credit for parents and college students, the child tax credit, and expanded earned income tax credit for low- and moderate-income workers.

The 304-page guide provides more than 5,000 interactive links to help taxpayers quickly get answers to their questions. It also has basic tax-filing information and tips about what income to report and how to report it, figuring capital gains and losses, claiming dependents, choosing the standard deduction versus itemizing deductions and using individual retirement accounts to save for retirement.

OSHA provides winter storms guidance

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has created a Web page to help protect workers from hazards they may face during winter storm response and recovery operations.

The page, www.osha.gov/dts/weather/winter_storm, provides guidance on how employers and workers involved in cleanup and recovery operations can recognize snowstorm-related hazards and take necessary steps to keep workers safe while working in these conditions. The page also includes guidance for clearing heavy snow in front of workplaces and rooftops, encountering downed power lines, traveling on icy roads and restoring power after winter storms.

Hazards associated with working in winter storms include being struck by falling objects such as icicles, tree limbs and utility poles; driving accidents caused by slippery roads; dehydration, hypothermia and frostbite; roof collapse under weight of snow (or melting snow if drains are clogged); and lacerations or amputations from unguarded or improperly operated chain saws and power tools.

Effective means of addressing winter storm hazards include assuming all power lines are energized and staying clear of any downed or damaged power lines; using caution around surfaces weighed down by large amounts of snow or ice; wearing reflective clothing and eye, face and body protection; and establishing clearly marked work zones.

The Web page includes links to guidance from agencies and organizations, including the Federal Emergency Management Agency, American Red Cross, National Weather Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and National Safety Council.

States implement VOC regulations

The roofing industry in several Northeast and mid-Atlantic states became fully compliant with new volatile organic compound (VOC) regulations Jan. 1. Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Washington, D.C., came into full compliance; Vermont and New Hampshire still are considering their approaches to regulations.

VOCs are regulated because high levels of VOC emissions may contribute to ground-level ozone formation. As part of the effort to achieve federally mandated standards in the Northeast and mid-Atlantic, the Ozone Transport Commission developed a Model Rule for adhesives and sealants. The model was based on regulations used in California and incorporates provisions that are effective primarily in that state’s climatic and market conditions. However, these conditions and practices differ significantly from those in the Northeast and mid-Atlantic.

Based on concerns raised by the EPDM Roofing Association (ERA), several states incorporated a seasonal implementation schedule into draft regulations, and others have drafted language to incorporate a seasonal implementation schedule into their final regulations. These changes have allowed sufficient time to test and phase in new low-VOC materials, make process changes to meet the new standards and train state contractors.

ERA is monitoring full implementation of new VOC regulations and will maintain an up-to-date listing of the regulations and their implementation schedules on its website, www.epdmroofs.org.