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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.

NYC Working to Overhaul Commercial Waste Collection

The city's private garbage hauling industry has become inefficient in its operation and unsafe. The Commercial Waste Zones plan will eliminate 18 million miles of truck traffic every year, a 63 percent reduction from today, according to Arcadis, the company that completed the plan for New York City's Department of Sanitation.



Worcester Fire Department Mourns Firefighter Lost in Five-Alarm Blaze

Firefighter Christopher J. Roy, 36, died Dec. 9. Seven other career officers from the department have died in December fires in 2011 and 1999.

ASTM F45 Meeting This Week in France

ASTM Committee F45 on Driverless Automatic Guided Industrial Vehicles will hold its eighth bi-annual meeting Dec. 11-12 at Omron Electronics in Annecy-Argonay, France.

OSHA Proposes Revisions to General Industry Beryllium Standard

The proposed changes would clarify the standard and simplify or improve standard compliance.

NIOSH to Develop Online Training on Law Enforcement Shift Work

Once it is finalized, the training program will be available on the NIOSH website. The training will be pilot tested with 30 recent graduates of a police academy and 30 experienced officers, all of whom work full time on fixed night shifts.

Investments Announced in Canadian Institute's Expansion

The NEOMED Institute is a non-profit organization located in Montreal. Its mission includes developing a business ecosystem and innovation networks in the greater Montreal area to boost the development and growth of life sciences and health technology businesses.

Officers Receive Lifesaving Award for Response to 2017 Terrorism Attack

"What started as a regular morning for commuters in New York City quickly turned into panic and chaos," said Green, who chairs the Police Officer of the Year Award Selection Committee. "These officers no doubt saved countless lives and prevented further injury thanks to their quick-thinking and selfless acts of bravery. Their actions during this attack epitomize what this award is all about."

PATH Completes Positive Train Control Installation

PTC is one component of Communication Based Train Control, described as a more comprehensive signal system that is currently being installed to replace a fixed-block system that limits the movement of trains from one section to the next. CBTC calculates and communicates a train's exact position, speed, travel direction, and safe braking distance.

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.

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