hearing loss,” said David Michaels, assistant secretary of labor for OSHA. “Easily ap-
plied administrative or engineering controls can and must be used to protect workers.
There are plenty of employers out there who play by the rules and want to do the
right thing, and we’re hopeful we can work with them to craft a policy that’s good
for all.”
The OSHA proposal is available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/2010-
26135.htm.
OSHA Bulletin Targets Exposures to Diacetyl and
Substitutes
OSHA released a Safety and Health Information Bulletin
and companion Worker Alert in December that recommend
safety measures for preventing worker exposures to the
potentially fatal health effects of butter flavorings and
other flavoring substances containing diacetyl or its substitutes. The documents were released six days after California became the first state to implement a new standard
intended to protect workers employed in the production of
diacetyl.
OSHA “strongly” recommends that all flavoring and
food manufacturers review and consider implementing applicable recommendations regarding engineering and work practice control measures,
medical surveillance, workplace monitoring, and use of appropriate personal protective equipment to minimize each worker’s exposure to these flavoring substances.
