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If it proceeds as planned, the American Airlines reorganization will eliminate thousands of jobs and its pension plans.

American Airlines' Pension Battle Begins

The head of the PBGC, John Gotbaum, said the airline must show that terminating its pension plans is the only way it can reorganize.


Students at the World Class Manufacturing Academy use 3D goggles during immersion training where they "enter" a plant setting full of unsafe acts and conditions, according to Chrysler Group.

Chrysler Dedicates World Class Manufacturing Academy

A staff of trainers will work with about 1,200 plant managers and other employees every year at the facility in Warren, Mich.


Mayor R.T. Rybak said Fruetel "is the right leader for this department at the right time," adding, "There is also no one more skilled in emergency response."

Council Unanimously Backs New Minneapolis Fire Chief

John Fruetel starts March 1. He spent 31 years as a Minneapolis before retiring as assistant chief in 2010 and serving at the city's emergency preparedness training manager. He's credited with being an effective leader during the response to the I-35 bridge collapse.


This screen capture from the DARPA video shows someone using the hand-held electrode to suppress small methane flames.

DARPA Demonstrates New Fire-Suppression Method

Using electromagnetic fields and acoustics techniques to destabilize flame plasma worked on small flames, but large-scale suppression has yet to be demonstrated, the program manager said.


This screen capture comes from the Michigan State University/Jeremy Polk, National Science Foundation video in which Meyer discusses the research.

More Research on Virus Mutations Published

With a two-month moratorium still in place on research studies that make the H5N1 virus more transmissible in mammals, a Michigan State University grad student and professor showed how easily a new virus can evolve dangerous traits.


The April 2010 explosion at the Upper Big Branch mine "unquestionably shook the very foundation of mine safety and caused us all to take a deeper look at the weaknesses in the safety net" expected to protect miners, Secretary Main said.

MSHA's Contested Case Backlog Fell 25 Percent in 2011

In a speech summarizing activities during 2011, Assistant Secretary Joe Main said the backlog went below 67,000 cases in December. He said coal mining operations have increased since the Upper Big Branch tragedy in April 2010, proving enforcement hasn't inhibited the industry's growth.


Mayor Michael Bloomberg laid out his FY2013 preliminary budget on Feb. 2 with a call for “real pension reform.” (Edward Reed photo)

NYC's Mayor Proposes Pension Reform

Saying city-funded pension costs have risen from $1.3 billion in FY2002 to $8.0 billion in FY2013, Mayor Michael Bloomberg called for action to address "a ticking time bomb in rising pension costs."


NIOSH deployed 106 staffers for three months after the Deepwater Horizon oil spill began, and nearly 20 percent of its staff had some involvement in the response.

Oil Spill Response Stretched NIOSH's Resources

Nearly 20 percent of its staffers were involved somehow in the response after the Deepwater Horizon explosion, and 106 staffers were deployed in the field for three months.


The VCAT report says the network architecture should incorporate advanced position location capabilities, including indoor and underground location.

Panel Urges Adaptable Next-Gen Public Safety Communications Network

The Visiting Committee on Advanced Technology, which makes policy recommendations to the National Institute of Standards and Technology, also said leadership is needed by a non-profit organization devoted to this goal.


This Mercy photo shows a wrecking ball beginning the demolition of the Joplin hospital on Jan. 29, 2012. The groundbreaking ceremony followed at the site three miles away where the new Mercy Hospital Joplin will be built.

Rebirth of Damaged Joplin Hospital Under Way

The first wrecking ball struck the exterior of St. John’s Regional Medical Center on Jan. 29 as the job of clearing five tornado-damaged buildings from its site began.


NETS warns that the costs of driving while intoxicated can include losing your driving privileges, higher insurance rates, having the vehicle towed, and high repair costs.

Serving Up Safe Driving Tips for Super Bowl Sunday

The Network of Employers for Traffic Safety and allied organizations are urging football fans to choose a sober designated driver in advance if they plan to drink alcohol while watching Sunday’s game.


This photo of a Roseburg employee at work is a screen capture from a video available at the corporate website.

Wood Products Plant Joins Oregon SHARP

The Roseburg Forest Products Engineered Wood Products plant in Riddle, Ore. is one of the largest plants of that type in North America, according to Oregon OSHA.


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A Joint Commission and Joint Commission Resources emergency preparedness conference in April will include presentations about the Joplin tornado's damage to a major hospital and a Vermont hospital's evacuation during severe flooding. What lessons have you learned from such events?