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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.

NIOSH Offering Confidential Black Lung Screenings for Coal Miners

The free health screenings are provided through NIOSH mobile testing units. They will begin March 19-23 in coal mining regions throughout Western Kentucky and then take place the following week, March 26-30, throughout Mingo, Logan, and Wayne Counties in West Virginia.

NTSB Issues Brief on 2016 Tanker Accident

Two pilots aboard the vessel suffered minor burns in the fire. The accident caused an estimated $1.5 million in property damage.

Fall Protection Training - Protective Equiment Alone is Not Enough to Keep Workers Safe

Fall Protection Training - Protective Equiment Alone is Not Enough to Keep Workers Safe

In 2016, a total of 5,190 fatal work injuries were recorded in the United States, a 7% increase from the fatal injuries reported in 2015.1 This is the third consecutive increase in annual workplace fatalities in the United States.

Developing an Effective Injury and Illness Prevention Program to Proactively Address Heat-Related Risks

As we move into the summer months of 2018, a company's hazard assessment should include consideration for the impact excessive heat plays, or could play, in its work environment.

Oregon Pesticide Rule Still Open for Comments

The proposal would add protections to EPA's Application Exclusion Zone, which surrounds and moves with pesticide-spray equipment during applications. It must be free of all people other than appropriately trained and equipped pesticide handlers.

Dallas Neighborhood's Gas Cutoff Affects 2,800 Homes

Atmos Energy says its planned outage for up to three weeks is being done "out of an abundance of caution" and "is not being taken because of any imminent emergency or danger," but a gas explosion Feb. 23 that killed a 12-year-old girl in her home spurred the repairs.

NCCCO Says Don't Sit Out OSHA's One-Year Delay

"It's not the first time the industry has had to come to terms with an extension of this rule, but, in the minds of most safety-conscious professionals, this should not be a reason to further delay training and certification," said NCCCO CEO Graham Brent.

The hazmat rules are constantly under construction, with a new requirement or restriction always on the horizon. (Lion Technology Inc. photo)

Is America's Hazmat in Good Hands?

Yes, for now. But the world will need a new crop of dedicated dangerous goods professionals to ensure hazmat reaches its destination, safely and on time.

Ejection Seat Manufacturer Fined $1.4 Million in Red Arrows Pilot's Death

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive concluded a mechanical fault led to the failure of the parachute deployment mechanism designed to bring the 35-year-old pilot to ground safely, and this resulted in the main parachute failing to deploy.

NIOSH's Pocket Guide Turns 40

Improving the NPG will be helpful to all of us.

Preparing for Automated Driving Systems

Weighty questions about the technologies include how the current standard for stability control testing can be amended for ADS vehicles that have no steering wheel.

Product Showcase

  • 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

  • NoiseCHEK Personal Noise Dosimeter

    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

  • 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

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