Safety
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Daily industrial news and top headlines for plant and maintenance managers
GM Recalls 55K Vehicles To Fix Shifter Problem
January 4, 2013 10:15 am | by The Associated Press | News | CommentsGeneral Motors is recalling nearly 55,000 pickup trucks, SUVs and vans because they can roll away unexpectedly. The recall affects certain 2013 models of the Chevrolet Silverado, Suburban, Tahoe, Avalanche and Express. Also included are the GMC Sierra, Savana and Yukon as well as the Cadillac Escalade.
Big Brother Takes The Wheel
January 4, 2013 8:00 am | by Meaghan Ziemba, Associate Editor, PD&D | Blogs | CommentsWhile I am all for the advancement of automobile safety, I wonder if placing black boxes in cars is stepping over the privacy boundary? A recent article, “Black Boxes in Cars Raise Privacy Concerns” discussed the placement of event data recorders, also known as black boxes, being placed in new cars and light trucks – such a development caused me to raise an eyebrow.
Upstate NY Factory Faces $75K In Fines For Hazards
December 21, 2012 2:03 pm | by The Associated Press | News | CommentsFederal workplace safety regulators say a factory in the Mohawk Valley put its workers at risk with a series of violations. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has recommended almost $75,000 in fines against Nationwide Tarp Inc., which makes tents and other canvas products in Amsterdam.
Toyota's Camry Performs Poorly On New Crash Test
December 20, 2012 2:07 pm | by The Associated Press | News | CommentsThe Toyota Camry, the best-selling car in the U.S., performed poorly this year in a new crash test and failed to get the best safety rating from an insurance industry group. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the Camry a "Poor" rating on a test that measures how well people are protected when the front corner of a car hits another car or an object.
Toyota To Pay $17.35M Fine For Late Recall Report
December 19, 2012 2:36 pm | by The Associated Press | News | CommentsToyota Motor Corp. has agreed to pay a fine of $17.35 million (around 1.45 billion yen) for its failure to report a safety defect to the U.S. government in a timely manner, U.S. authorities said Tuesday. The U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said the fine was the maximum allowable under a relevant law.
Hyundai Recalls Velosters Over Shattering Sunroofs
December 19, 2012 2:32 pm | by The Associated Press | News | CommentsHyundai is recalling about 13,500 Veloster hatchbacks in the U.S. because the vehicle's sunroof can shatter and cause injuries. The recall affects cars from the 2012 model year. Hyundai says it knows of no crashes from the problem, but five people have received minor cuts.
Gov't Warns Mitsubishi Over Improper Recall Handling
December 19, 2012 10:10 am | by The Associated Press | News | CommentsThe government on Wednesday gave a verbal warning to Mitsubishi Motors Corp. for its improper handling and explanation of minivehicle recalls prompted by oil leaks. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism is expected to inspect the company soon over the four recalls reported since November 2010.
U.S. Fines Toyota $17M For Delayed Safety Reports
December 18, 2012 10:27 am | by Tom Krisher, AP Auto Writer | News | CommentsThe U.S. government has hit Toyota Motor Corp. with a record $17.4 million fine for failing once again to quickly report problems to federal regulators and for delaying a safety recall. The fine against the world's biggest automaker from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the agency that monitors vehicle safety, is the maximum allowed by law.
Bangladesh Probe: Fire Sabotage, Owner Negligent
December 18, 2012 10:16 am | by Julhas Alam, Associated Press | News | CommentsA Bangladesh government committee investigating the garment factory fire that killed 112 people last month said in its findings that the blaze was sabotage, probably by someone who worked there. But the panel said that no matter who set the fire, the owner of the factory also should be punished for the deaths because he neglected worker safety.
NHTSA Investigating Ford Floor Mats
December 17, 2012 2:16 pm | by Dee-Ann Durbin, AP Auto Writer | News | CommentsThe federal government is expanding an investigation into floor mats that interfere with pedals in Ford, Mercury and Lincoln cars. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration was initially investigating 2010 Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan vehicles. Late last week, it said it also would look at those 2008 and 2009 models and the Lincoln MKZ.
S. Korea: Samsung Chip Plant Caused Cancer
December 14, 2012 10:07 am | by Youkyung Lee, AP Business Writer | News | CommentsA South Korean agency said working at a Samsung factory caused the breast cancer of a worker who died earlier this year, the second time it has recognized a link between cancer and Samsung's chip plants. The Korea Workers' Compensation and Welfare Service ruled there was a "considerable causal relationship" between the woman's cancer and her years of work at a semiconductor plant.
Honda Issues Global Recall: Cars Can Roll Away
December 12, 2012 10:27 am | by Tom Krisher, AP Auto Writer | News | CommentsHonda is recalling more than 870,000 minivans and SUVs worldwide because they can roll away even though drivers have removed the keys from the ignition. The recall affects older-model vehicles sold mainly in the U.S. Problems with the ignition switches have plagued Honda for years. It has recalled nearly 2.3 million vehicles for the problem since 2003.
Why Efforts To Stop Factory Fires Have Failed
December 12, 2012 10:21 am | by Allen G. Breed, Anne D'Innocenzio, Scott Mayerowitz, Associated Press | News | CommentsAbout a year and a half before a fire at a clothing factory in Bangladesh killed 112 people in November, executives from Wal-Mart, Gap and other big retailers met nearby to discuss ways to prevent the unsafe working conditions that have made such tragedies common.
Ford: Software Update Will Fix Fire Problem
December 10, 2012 2:15 pm | by The Associated Press | News | CommentsFord will update software on 2013 Escape SUVs and Fusion cars to fix a coolant problem that can cause fires. Last month the automaker recalled more than 89,000 of the vehicles after getting complaints about overheating and fires. It urged owners to get loaner cars from dealers until Ford found a fix. Only vehicles with 1.6-liter turbocharged engines are affected.
Black Boxes In Cars Raise Privacy Concerns
December 7, 2012 10:21 am | by Joan Lowy, Associated Press | News | CommentsMany motorists don't know it, but it's likely that every time they get behind the wheel, there's a snitch along for the ride. In the next few days, the NHTSA is expected to propose long-delayed regulations requiring auto manufacturers to include event data recorders — better known as "black boxes" — in all new cars and light trucks.
CDC: Language Barrier Caused Chlorine Gas Leak
December 7, 2012 10:18 am | by Kelly P. Kissel, Associated Press | News | CommentsA chlorine gas leak that sickened nearly 200 people at a Tyson Foods plant in Arkansas last year happened because a worker who couldn't read the English-language label on a barrel of chemicals inadvertently poured bleach into it, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in a report released Thursday.
Ford Recalls Fusion To Fix Faulty Headlights
December 7, 2012 10:09 am | by The Associated Press | News | CommentsFord is recalling about 19,000 brand-new Fusion midsize cars to fix defective headlights. It's the second recall in a week for the Fusion and the sixth recall of a new Ford vehicle in the past five months. Reflectors in the low-beam lights on the 2013 Fusions can become hazy over time and reduce the brightness.
Five Infant Deaths Prompt CPSC Sue Nap Nanny Manufacturer
December 5, 2012 1:57 pm | by U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission | News | CommentsThe complaint alleges that the Nap Nanny Generation One and Two, and Chill model infant recliners contain defects in the design, warnings and instructions, which pose a substantial risk of injury and death to infants. The Commission voted 3-0 to approve the filing of the complaint, which seeks an order requiring that the firm notify the public of the defect and offer consumers a full refund.
Photo Of The Day: Factory Fire Protests
December 3, 2012 11:04 am | by The Associated Press | News | CommentsBangladeshi garment workers shout slogans as they participate in a protest to mourn the death of the victims of a fire in a garment factory in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Friday, Nov. 30, 2012. Hundreds of garment workers protested Friday outside the Bangladeshi factory where 112 people were killed by the fire.
Ford Recalls Escapes, Fusions For Engine Fire Risk
December 3, 2012 10:11 am | by Tom Krisher, AP Auto Writer | News | CommentsFord Motor Co. said Friday that it is recalling more than 89,000 new Escape SUVs and Fusion sedans because the engines can overheat and cause fires. The recall affects vehicles from the 2013 model year with 1.6-liter turbocharged engines that were sold in the U.S. and Canada, the company said in a statement.
Electrical Cable Tray Fire Protection
November 30, 2012 8:09 am | by Clay Booth, Fire Protection, Market & Sales Manager, Morgan Thermal Ceramics | Articles | CommentsOne of the most significant fire protection requirements for processing facilities and offshore locations is the need to protect control cables and valves in the event of a fire. Several options are on the market and each has its benefits; operators need to weigh the pros and cons of the available solutions to ensure that they select one that is the best.
Factory Owner Didn't Know Fire Exits Needed
November 29, 2012 2:09 pm | by Julhas Alam, Associated Press | News | CommentsThe owner of a Bangladesh clothing factory where a fire killed 112 people says he was never informed the facility was required to have an emergency exit, a sign of how far removed the leaders of the nation's garment industry are from issues of worker safety.
OH Chemical Company Cited After Vapor Release
November 29, 2012 2:07 pm | by The Associated Press | News | CommentsFederal workplace safety officials have cited a chemical company for dozens of violations and propose $545,000 in fines after a vapor release temporarily closed a northeast Ohio plant and a nearby highway. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration said Wednesday it cited Dover Chemical Corp. for 47 health and safety violations.
GA Chemical Company Cited For Safety Violations
November 27, 2012 10:20 am | by The Associated Press | News | CommentsThe U.S. Department of Labor cited a chemical manufacturing company in northwest Georgia for 20 safety violations, and proposes the company pay a $77,000 fine. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration announced Monday that MFG Chemical Inc. exposed workers to fire and explosion hazards, among other safety infractions.
FDA Suspends Operations At Peanut Butter Plant
November 27, 2012 10:10 am | by Mary Clare Jalonick, Associated Press | News | CommentsThe Food and Drug Administration is cracking down on a New Mexico peanut butter plant that had repeated food safety violations over several years, using new authority to halt operations at facilities that may be producing unsafe food. The agency on Monday suspended the registration of Sunland Inc., which is the country's largest organic peanut butter processor.
