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BCSP Welcoming Three New Board Members in 2019

BCSP announced the results of its board of director elections and welcomes Bruce Lyon, CSP; Jay Harf, CSP; and Regina McMichael, CSP, CET, as they join the board in 2019.

Next 'Coffee with MIOSHA' Set for Dec. 21

Lawrence Hidalgo, director of MIOSHA's Construction Safety and Health Division, is scheduled to be the featured speaker at the event in Marquette

Resource Center Offering Aid to Illinois Tornado Victims

More than a dozen state and local agencies in Illinois will have representatives on hand when a Multi-Agency Resource Center opens Dec. 7-8 in Taylorville, Ill., to help residents affected by tornadoes that struck the area Dec. 1.

NFPA, CPSC Issue Holiday Fire Safety Reminders

According to the NFPA, U.S. fire departments responded to an average of 800 home fires per year between 2012 and 2016 that started with decorations (excluding Christmas trees), and said fires caused an annual average of two civilian deaths, 34 civilian injuries, and $11 million in direct property damage.

Report Spotlights Issues in Respiratory Protection for Health Professionals

In the report, the National Academies study committee said addressing the respiratory needs of health care workers across their wide range of settings and jobs is an ethical imperative, adding that it will require the design of innovative reusable respirators and implementation of robust respiratory protection programs.

Canadian Palliative Care Framework Proposed

Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Canada's minister of Health, said more must be done to improve care and equitable access "so that every Canadian has the best possible quality of life right up to the end of their lives."

PHMSA Stays Enforcement in Alaska After Earthquake

The agency's stay provides temporary relief for pipeline and liquefied natural gas facility operators from certain federal pipeline safety regulations, including compliance with operator qualification requirements, but it does not relieve operators of their safety responsibility to use trained, non-impaired workers to perform operation and maintenance tasks.

New Leader Named for Gulf Research Program

The Gulf Research Program was established in 2013 as part of the settlement of criminal charges against two companies involved in the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The federal government entrusted the National Academies with $500 million to enhance human health, environmental resources, and the safety of offshore energy systems in the Gulf of Mexico region.



New NFPA Standard Issued for Public Safety Drone Operations

The NFPA 2400 standard underscores the need for an sUAS coordinator and the importance of knowing airspace requirements, weather conditions, crew readiness benchmarks, resource needs, incident command systems, regulatory requirements, and communication strategies.

Good News for Washington State Companies: Cheaper Comp Insurance in 2019

The price of workers' compensation insurance in Washington state will take the largest drop in more than 10 years on Jan. 1, 2019, as the state Department of Labor & Industries on Dec. 3 announced a 5 percent decrease in the average amount employers pay for the coverage.

Michigan Company Enjoined from Distributing Products

The complaint alleged that analysis of environmental samples collected from the defendants' facility during numerous inspections showed the facility contained a resident strain of Listeria monocytogenes. FDA most recently inspected the facility in late 2017, and its inspection showed the ready-to-eat food products that defendants manufactured and distributed were adulterated.

Pennsylvania Receives $10 Million Grant for Opioid Programs

"My administration has made fighting the opioid epidemic one of its top priorities, and this collaboration with Michael Bloomberg and Bloomberg Philanthropies will allow us to take an in-depth look at the areas where we can supplement our programs to successfully assist more Pennsylvanians," Gov. Tom Wolf said.

IAEA Signs Agreement to Aid Nuclear Medicine Training

Every year, more than 35 million nuclear medicine examinations are performed globally, particularly to diagnose and manage cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and neurodegenerative disorders. Countries often lack programs to train specialists and technical personnel to facilitate diagnosis and treatment, according to IAEA.

Funding Secured for Maryland Pre-Apprenticeship Program's Second Student Group

The program prepares motivated youth through classroom instruction and hands-on skills training for employment and registered apprenticeship in one of the fastest-growing occupations in construction.

SPE Gulf Coast Section Hosting Oil & Gas Safety Workshop Feb. 14

The Houston workshop includes lunch, and participants will receive a certificate of participation. Proceeds will benefit the SPE Gulf Coast scholarship fund.

Florida Company Cited in Burn Case

"This owner's intentional disregard of the manufacturers' safety instructions and failure to take proper safety measures resulted in serious injuries to an employee," said OSHA Jacksonville Area Office Director Michelle Gonzalez.

AKOSH Local Emphasis Program Focused on Health Care Workplaces

AKOSH's enforcement inspections under the program will focus on the types of hazards commonly found in hospitals and other health care settings: slips, trips, and falls; bloodborne pathogens; tuberculosis; workplace violence; and ergonomics.

MMWR Article Outlines Study of Newly Arrived Ticks

The Asian longhorned tick (Haemaphysalis longicornis) has been found in several U.S. states since it was first discovered here in New Jersey in August 2017.

Three Winners in HHS Easy EHR Issue Reporting Challenge

"Helping reduce the burden of health IT continues to be a key area of focus at the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology, and we anticipate the winning submissions to the Easy EHR Issue Reporting Challenge will help with those efforts," said Dr. Don Rucker, M.D., HHS national coordinator for health information technology.

The familiar hierarchy of controls shows that elimination is the most effective risk control strategy, while PPE is the least effective. (WorkSafeBC graphic)

Key Protections for Arc Welders

Controlling the risks is done by applying the hierarchy of controls: elimination, substitution, engineering controls (such as ventilation systems to remove welding fume), administrative controls, and finally, PPE.

Product Showcase

  • The MGC Simple Plus

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    SKC NoiseCHEK is the easiest-to-use dosimeter available! Designed specifically for OEHS professionals, SKC NoiseCHEK offers the easiest operation and accurate noise measurements. Everything you need is right in your palm. Pair Bluetooth models to your mobile devices and monitor workers remotely with the SmartWave dB app without interrupting workflow. Careful design features like a locking windscreen, sturdy clip, large front-lit display, bright status LEDs, and more make NoiseCHEK the top choice in noise dosimeters. Demo NoiseCHEK at AIHA Connect Booth 1003. Read More

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    Stay connected to your sampling with the SKC AirChek® Connect Sampling Pump! With its Bluetooth connection to PC and mobile devices, you can monitor AirChek Connect pump operation without disrupting workflow. SKC designed AirChek Connect specifically for all OEHS professionals to ensure accurate, reliable flows from 5 to 5000 ml/min and extreme ease of use. AirChek Connect offers easy touch screen operation and flexibility. It is quality built to serve you and the workers you protect. Ask about special pricing and a demo at AIHA Connect Booth 1003. Read More

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