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HELP Chairman Will Not Seek Re-Election in 2020

U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander will not seek re-election to the Senate in 2020, according to a statement he released Dec. 17.

Michigan Lowers Acceptable Blood Lead Levels for Workers

Michigan Lowers Acceptable Blood Lead Levels for Workers

Under the new MIOSHA rules, employees must be removed from lead exposure when their BLL reaches 30 μg/dL and cannot return to work involving lead exposure until their BLL falls below 15 (μg/dL).

NIOSH Develops Tools to Help Identify and Assess Areas of Dampness and Mold

Dampness can promote the growth of mold, bacteria, fungi, and insects. Workers and others in damp buildings can be exposed to airborne pollutants from biological contaminants and the breakdown of building materials.

OSHA Renews Charter of its Maritime Advisory Committee

MACOSH is made up of 15 representative members appointed by the secretary from multiple segments of the maritime industry (such as shipyard, commercial fishing, and longshoring) and representing multiple views and interests, such as management, safety and health professional organizations, and labor.

Oregon OSHA Pesticide Drift Regs Taking Effect Jan. 1

The rules expand a protective zone, extend the evacuation period, require storage for boots and shoes to prevent pesticides from being tracked into workers' housing, and require doors, windows, and air intakes to be closed when pesticides are applied.

Ho, Ho, How to Lower Retail Workers' Stress Levels

NIOSH recommends managers and employees work together to identify critical stress-related problems and design reasonable solutions to address them. And its online resources can help retail employers and workers alike.

NTSB to Unveil New Most Wanted List Jan. 9

NTSB also will host a Twitter Q&A during the event. To participate in the Twitter Q&A and to stay up to date with the Most Wanted List, follow the agency on Twitter at @NTSB and use the hashtag #ntsbmwl.

Toyota Issues Recalls of Almost 134,000 SUVs, Trucks

Toyota is conducting a safety recall involving certain 2018-2019 Model Year Tacomas, 2008-2019 Model Year Land Cruisers, and 2008-2019 Model Year Lexus LX 570 vehicles in the United States.



Transport Canada Setting New Flight and Duty Time Limits

Transport Canada is also introducing amendments to the Fit for Duty regulations that will prohibit any flight crew member to work when not fit for duty. This includes consumption of alcohol or drugs, mental and physical conditions, and fatigue.

Incentive Federation Plans to Develop Standards

The Incentive Federation, Inc. announced Dec. 12 that it is finalizing proposals to both ANSI to be approved as a developer of a Domestic Standards Program for Workforce Incentives, Rewards and Recognition Standards, and to ISO to have a Technical Committee established to oversee those standards and to eventually have them approved by ISO.

$66,000 Fine Issued in Fatal California Trench Collapse

On May 9, two Empire Equipment Services workers were installing sewer pipes at the site when a 30-foot-wide section of the trench's sidewall sloughed and collapsed. Only one of the workers was able to escape.

The U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration projects a shortage of 20,400 primary care physicians by 2020.

HHS Wants Comments on HIPAA Changes

"We are looking for candid feedback about how the existing HIPAA regulations are working in the real world and how we can improve them," said OCR Director Roger Severino. "We are committed to pursuing the changes needed to improve quality of care and eliminate undue burdens on covered entities while maintaining robust privacy and security protections for individuals' health information."

Trio Safely Rescued from Abandoned WV Mine

The search of the Rock House Powellton Mine in Clear Creek, W.Va., ended successfully Dec. 12, with all three people inside brought out safely.

Safety Alert Addresses Hazards in Fired Vessels

BSEE's targeted inspections identified multiple facilities where the integrity of the flame arrestor and spark arrestor could not be easily inspected, the inspection frequency was not understood by facility personnel, or there was no documentation of inspections.

NRC Meeting Set on Inspection Findings at Alaska Medical Center

The inspection report indicates the special inspection was conducted in response to concerns about "apparent failures," including that occupational workers failed to wear dosimetry, management failed to investigate abnormal dosimetry results, and that management failed to assess outside employment in determining the total occupational exposure of applicable staff.

Locksets Recalled for Entrapment Hazard

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled locksets and contact the firm for instructions on receiving a free replacement lockset. The company has received eight reports of lockset latch failures, but no injuries have been reported.

PG&E Increasing Wildfire Prevention Actions

PG&E said this week that it will expand its system-wide Community Wildfire Safety Program, which was implemented following 2017 wildfires as an additional set of precautionary measures intended to further reduce wildfire threats.

NTSB Cites Ineffective Preventive Maintenance as Probable Cause of Casino Boat Fire

At its meeting Dec. 11 on this investigation, the safety board cited the lack of fire detection in the boat's lazarette as contributing to the spread of the fire.

Coast Guard Rescue Brings Reminder to Winter Mariners

"In the winter, the marine environment is rougher and colder," said David Umberger, command duty officer at the Sector Delaware Bay command center. "This case might not have had such a good outcome if the captain and crew of the Ocean Pearl hadn't been prepared for an emergency. Keeping a properly-registered EPIRB, well-maintained cold-water survival gear, and functioning communications equipment on board your vessel will save your life."

$80 Million Fine Issued to Company for Failing to File Reports on Infections

"Medical device adverse event reporting requirements are designed to protect Americans by providing FDA with a tool to detect potential safety issues. When device manufacturers fail to report adverse events, unsuspecting patients are placed at risk," said FDA Commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb, M.D.

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