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EU-OSHA Partners Preparing for Dangerous Substances Campaign

The campaign will address dangerous substances that can cause chronic or acute illness, such as respiratory diseases, cancer, mesothelioma, poisoning, skin diseases, reproductive problems and birth defects, and allergies.

California Foundry Fined $283,390 in Double Amputation Case

Cal/OSHA cited Alhambra Foundry for similar violations eight years ago.

MSHA Chief Boosting Efforts to Collect Unpaid Fines

Assistant Secretary David G. Zatezalo writes that MSHA will increase its efforts to collect unpaid fines. Since the Scofflaw Program began in 2007, about $67 million in delinquent penalties have accrued, yet MSHA has issued only 16 citations since 2007 for failure to pay final penalties and only five orders requiring a mine to shut down operations while continuing to pay miners their wages.

WorkSafeBC Ammonia Inspection Initiative Now in Second Phase

Phase one focused on ice rinks and recreational facilities. Of the 223 sites inspected, 181 were using ammonia refrigeration systems. Inspecting officers issued 1,134 orders, three compliance agreements were created, and one stop use order was issued.

Three New Members Added to Hydrographic Advisory Panel

They and two reappointed members joined the panel's 10 current members in February, according to the NOAA announcement, which said the panel still is seeking five new members for a four-year term that starts Jan. 1, 2019, and runs through 2022.

Colorado Authorities Warn Public of Rabies Risks

"The presence of rabid animals in densely populated areas is troubling," said Jennifer House, public health veterinarian at the department. "Last year, two dogs in Colorado got rabies, so it's essential to make sure your pets are up to date on their shots. This will keep them and the public safe."

Beta Test Set for FAA Drone Authorizing System

For drone operators, using LAANC can get them near real-time airspace authorizations, far less time that the manual authorization process requires. Also, air traffic controllers can see where planned drone operations will take place.

Kentucky Agency's Site Visits Save Big on Safety Fines

Sixteen free on-site visits last month caused those employers to correct 123 serious violations that could have affected up to 4,873 employees and resulted in enforcement penalties of as much as $861,000.



Agreement Reached on Oklahoma Criminal Justice Reforms

"We continue to urge that funding be provided for up-front mental health and substance abuse treatment, diversion programs, specialty courts, and other focused interventions that help an offender get their life back on track and avoid further criminal activity," said District 11 District Attorney Kevin Buchanan, president of the Oklahoma District Attorneys Association.

Miami International Opens Facial Recognition Passport Screening Facility

The Concourse E facility opened Feb. 27 after a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Since launching a facial recognition pilot program in November, the facility has been screening as many as 10 passengers per minute.

Fire Authorities Urge Smoke Alarm Checks at Daylight Savings

Daylight Saving Time starts Sunday, March 11, and fire authorities are issuing reminders to change the batteries in your smoke alarms when setting your clocks forward.

Opioid Overdoses Up 30 Percent Last Year: CDC

A new Vital Signs report from the agency, based on emergency department data, shows in the nine months through September 2017, overdoses increased across all regions, in most states, for both men and women, and for most age groups. They were up about 30 percent overall, with the largest increases mainly in western states.

New Satellite to Improve Western Hemisphere Weather Tracking

GOES-S is the second satellite in a series of next-generation weather satellites. It will allow NOAA to track in near-real time storm systems, lightning, wildfires, and coastal fog and other hazards that affect the western United States.

New Caltrans Leaders Sworn In

Laurie Berman is the transportation department's new director and Ryan Chamberlain its new chief deputy director. Gov. Jerry Brown, who appointed both, said they are a strong leadership team for the department, which is an $8.5 billion organization with nearly 20,000 employees.

Australian Safety Standards to be Relaxed for Trains Too Wide to Fit Tunnels

The new intercity trains, which are being built in South Korea, will be about 3.1 meters across, making them too wide to travel on the Blue Mountains Line to Katoomba and Lithgow without a rail line upgrade.

Boeing Partners with Queensland Government on Autonomous Vehicle Research

During the next three years, this rapid innovation program will see Boeing develop next-generation autonomous systems capability in Australia to increase the independent operation of air and sea vehicles.

OSHA to Start Enforcing New Beryllium Rule in May

OSHA said it also will begin enforcing on May 11, 2018, the new, lower 8-hour permissible exposure limit and short-term (15-minute) exposure limit for construction and shipyard industries.

France Ratifies Fishing Vessel Safety Agreement

The Cape Town Agreement will take effect 12 months after it has been ratified by 22 states that, collectively, have 3,600 or more fishing vessels of at least 24 meters in length operating on the high seas.

Six FDNY EMS Veterans Promoted

The six have prepared the bureau's emergency response to major events and have managed mass casualty incidents across the five boroughs, ensuring the safety of millions of New Yorkers and tourists.

New FMCSA, FRA Administrators Sworn In

FMCSA's Raymond P. Martinez is a former commissioner of the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles. FRA's Ronald L. Batory was president and chief operating officer of Conrail, the eighth-largest freight railroad in America, from 2004 until his retirement in April 2017.

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