Short Takes – 9-13-22

Oil rig explosion injures three workers. HazardExOnTheNet.Net article. ND oil rig accident – OSHA investigating – Not much information, but probably a CSB reportable accident –

Freight Railroads Propose Limiting Sensitive Cargo as Strike Threat Looms. WSJ.com article. Pull quote: “CSX Corp. and Union Pacific have imposed an embargo on a list of hazardous materials, including chlorine, compressed and liquefied gases and chemicals used in the manufacturing and pharmaceutical industries.” Congressional action may be necessary – SJ Res 61 introduced yesterday.

Scientists develop a method to turn hazardous acidic industrial wastewater into valuable resources. Phys.org article. Recycling hazardous wastewater back into the process is a win-win in so many ways. Pull quote: “The team evaluated the method with synthetic wastewater in the lab, with positive results. The process successfully recovered clean water and phosphate while reducing the volume of wastewater by 90%. It also did not generate any appreciable mineral scaling, which could muck up the membranes.” Still needs scale-up work.

Notice of Request for Information (RFI) on Collection, Transportation, Sorting, Processing and Second Life Applications for End-of-Life Lithium Ion Batteries. Federal Register notice. Pull quote: “Specifically, this RFI seeks input on how federal investments can help accelerate the collection, transportation, processing, and recycling of batteries and scrap materials; enable second-life applications of lithium-ion batteries previously used to power electric vehicles; support high-quality jobs for American worker; s and how the Program can most impactfully support equity, environmental, and energy justice principles and priorities.”

FBI warns of vulnerabilities in medical devices following several CISA alerts. TheRecord.media article. Pull quote: “Many legacy devices used by hospitals and clinics contain outdated software because they do not get manufacturer support for patches or updates, the FBI said, adding that many devices are not designed with security in mind.”

CISA Strategic Plan. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s (CISA) 2023-2025 Strategic Plan is the agency’s first, comprehensive strategic plan since CISA was established in 2018. Pull quote: “Through the strengthening of our voluntary partnerships and under applicable regulatory responsibilities, including the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS), CISA will advance security solutions that address the most pressing risks facing the nation’s critical infrastructure.”