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OSHA Changing General Industry Beryllium Rule

A direct final rule clarifies the definitions of Beryllium Work Area, emergency, dermal contact, and beryllium contamination, and it clarifies provisions for disposal and recycling and provisions that OSHA intends to apply only where skin can be exposed to materials containing at least 0.1 percent beryllium by weight.

ASSE Creating Accreditation Institute

The first certification provided by the institute will be on the new ISO 45001 standard. "I think companies will have a competitive advantage when displaying the institute's certification mark," ASSE President Jim Smith said. "It will demonstrate compliance with quality-driven standards that are geared to reduce workplace injuries, illnesses, and fatalities. Investors and customers will gain confidence in knowing that."

Australian Advisory Stresses Underwater Escape Training

What prompted the notice was a fatality on March 14, 2018, in Western Australia. A Eurocopter EC135 helicopter hit the water at night while on a trip to collect a marine pilot from a departing ship.

ACS Highlights New Studies on WTC Cancers

One study indicated there may be a link between WTC firefighters and a disease that can be a precursor for multiple myeloma. The second study estimated more WTC firefighters will develop certain types of cancer than would be expected if they had not been exposed to Ground Zero.

OSHA Sets Trucking, Rail Whistleblower Meeting

At the June 12 meeting, OSHA is looking for input on how it can better deliver whistleblower customer service and what kind of assistance it can provide to help explain the whistleblower laws it enforces.

New Paper Evaluates Space Station Fire Detector Performance

The paper explains that not all of the particles were consistently detected, so the authors recommend that the next generation of spacecraft fire detectors must be improved and tested against smoke from relevant space materials.

Corvallis, Ore.-based VDOS Global uses aerial robotics and remote sensing to provide oil and gas inspections, environmental research, aerial surveying and other services using for its clients around the world. (VDOS image)

FAA Expanding Drone Airspace Authorization

LAANC helps support the safe integration of drones into the nation's airspace. Drone operators using the system can receive near real-time airspace authorizations, cutting the wait experienced using the manual authorization process and letting operators quickly plan their flights.

CDC Reports U.S. Illnesses from Mosquito, Tick, and Flea Bites Increasing

In 2016, the most common mosquito-borne viruses were West Nile, dengue, and Zika, while the most common tickborne diseases were Lyme disease and ehrlichiosis/anaplasmosis. The most common disease resulting from the bite of an infected flea was plague, though it was rare.



OSHA Cites Health Facility for Exposing Employees to Workplace Violence

OSHA cited Premier Behavioral Health Solutions of Florida Inc. and UHS of Delaware Inc., subsidiaries of Universal Health Services Inc., for not instituting controls to prevent patients from verbal and physical threats of assault, including kicks, punches, and bites, and from using objects as weapons.

Nominations Sought for 2018 Green Chemistry Challenge Awards

Nominations for innovations in six categories are due by July 2, 2018. The categories are academic, small business, greener synthetic pathways, greener reaction conditions, designing greener chemicals, and climate change.

The summer construction season means workers and safety managers must be prepared for heat stress, falls, puncture and crushing injuries, and noise exposures.

Fifth Stand-Down on Preventing Construction Falls Set for May 7-11

"The Stand-Down is not limited only to construction industry trades," Dean McKenzie, director of OSHA's Directorate of Construction, and Christine M. Branche, Ph.D., FACE, principal associate director of NIOSH and director of its Office of Construction Safety and Health, said in an email. "Each year, large corporations and small companies have joined us to make this effort a success."

Pipeline Construction Safety Training Program Announced

The course will provide industry-specific training that includes fire safety, safety in confined spaces, and fall hazards, with an API-U certificate issued upon completion of the course.

National Electrical Safety Month Under Way

"The NEC is updated every three years to include the latest in proven safety technology, and ESFI is committed to educating the public about the importance of staying up to code," said ESFI President Brett Brenner. "This year's resources focus on common hazards including overhead power lines and lesser-known dangers such as electric shock drowning."

NFPA Releases Active Shooter Response Standard

"The NFPA 3000 process, from start to finish, has been an exceptional example of emergency responders and other safety-focused practitioners swiftly coming together to provide invaluable perspective and address a significant threat in our world," NFPA President and CEO Jim Pauley said. "The proactive, integrated strategies recommended and defined in NFPA 3000 will go a long way in helping communities plan, respond, and recover from active shooter and hostile events."

ASSE Developing Active Shooter Technical Report

The reason to create a technical report is that workplace safety standards can take years to develop.

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The Industrial Hygienist's Guide to Anticipate, Evaluate, and Manage Occupational Health & Safety Risks with Industrial Hygiene Software

Effective industrial hygiene management requires recording and maintaining consistent and complete work site data. Using outdated methods is in itself a serious risk.

It is highly recommended that specifiers work with eyewash and shower manufacturers directly to determine the appropriate system, given your specific geographic location, processes, temperatures, and layout/equipment locations. (Haws photo)

Creating a 'Comfort Zone' for Emergency Equipment Water Temperature

Tempered water has been a hot topic of late, but just as many installations need cooling of high-temperature supply water.

Organizations with a strong disaster response plan are well suited to combat the destruction of a natural disaster and recover faster.

The Best Defense is a Good Offense: Preparing for Natural Disasters

Not all natural disasters occur during full staff hours. Many take place when staff or logistical support is limited. Keep this in mind while creating the plan.

Canada Testing Public Safety Alert Network Next Week

During the May 7 and May 9 tests, every compatible mobile device connected to an LTE (long-term evolution) network in the targeted provinces and territory will receive the test alert. They also will be distributed on TV and radio in the same regions.

Wholesale adoption of GHS hazard classsification principles will disrupt chemical hazard assessment programs and heighten problems manufacturers and importers will face.

A Holistic Approach to On-Site Chemical Management

Technology can help streamline and standardize complex processes, centralize data and corresponding analyses, make reporting easier, and eliminate silos between departments.

Product Showcase

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  • Kestrel 5400 Heat Stress Tracker WBGT Monitoring for Workplace Safety

    Ensure safety with the Kestrel® 5400 Heat Stress Tracker, the go-to choice for safety professionals and endorsed by the Heat Safety & Performance Coalition. This robust, waterless WBGT meter is ideal for both indoor and outdoor environments, offering advanced monitoring and data logging essential for OSHA compliance. It features pre-programmed ACGIH guidelines and alert settings to quickly signal critical conditions. Integrated with the cloud-based Ambient Weather Network, the 5400 allows managers to view, track, and log job site conditions remotely, ensuring constant awareness of potential hazards. Its capability for real-time mobile alerts and remote data access promotes proactive safety management and workplace protection, solidifying its role as a crucial tool in industrial hygiene. Read More

  • AirChek Connect Sampling Pump

    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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