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Teamsters Ask UPS to Ban Drones, Driverless Vehicles

Teamsters Ask UPS to Ban Drones, Driverless Vehicles

The International Brotherhood of Teamsters' National Negotiating Committee submitted to UPS an 83-page document updating the prior agreement. In addition to the ban on drones and driverless vehicles, the union seeks the hiring of another 10,000 workers and halting deliveries after 9 p.m., including during the peak-delivery holiday season.

OSHA Cites Colorado Employers After Fatal Fire, Explosion

The explosion and fire occurred in Mead in May 2017 as employees were merging two tank batteries into a single tank battery operated by Anadarko Petroleum Corporation. OSHA inspectors found that flammable vapors or gases ignited as employees worked near pipes connected to a crude oil tank.

NIOSH Taking Comments on Research Agenda for Service Industries

The draft says suggested areas on which to focus research include same-level falls for food service workers; fatal injuries among installation, maintenance, and repair occupations; and motor vehicle injuries, falls, and struck by or against injuries among waste collection workers.

This Oct. 18, 2017, photo shows crews placing rebar as the upper chute of the Lake Oroville flood control spillway is constructed. (Ken James/California Department of Water Resources photo)

Oroville Dam Costs Rise to $870 Million

The California Department of Water Resources is submitting the $870 million costs to FEMA, which reimburses up to 75 percent of the requested costs for a federal emergency.

Washington Governor Rejects Oil Terminal Application

Gov. Jay Inslee's letter said several issues compelled his decision, including seismic risks at the site that "present an unacceptable and potentially catastrophic risk to the public," the inability to sufficiently mitigate oil spill risks into the Columbia River or the Pacific Ocean, and the potential safety risks of a fire or explosion.

Maritime NZ Orders Skipper to Pay Almost $130,000

The skipper of a recreational boat that collided with a rocky outcrop in the Coromandel in New Zealand last January has been ordered by Maritime New Zealand to pay a total of almost $130,000 in reparations to three victims on board.

FDA, FTC Warn Companies Selling Unapproved Opioid Cessation Products

The sale of these unapproved products with claims about treating opioid addiction and withdrawal violates the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, and these unsubstantiated therapeutic claims violate the Federal Trade Commission Act against deceptive advertising.

New Guidelines Expected to Improve Stroke Treatment

"This is going to make a huge, huge difference in stroke care," said Dr. William J. Powers, guidelines writing group chair and chair of neurology at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine in Chapel Hill.



5 New Hazmat Rules to Look for in 2018

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Five New Hazmat Rules to Look for in 2018

U.S. DOT, along with other federal agencies, recently released a semiannual Agenda of rulemaking activities, many of which will impact hazardous materials professionals in 2018. The five rulemakings, in progress now, are all scheduled to be published as final rules before Fall 2018.

Algorithm Accelerates Search for New Antibiotics

Hosein Mohimani, assistant professor in Carnegie Mellon University's Computational Biology Department, said the research found "that the antibiotics produced by microbes are much more diverse than had been assumed." The results can aid the fight against antibiotic resistance.

NHC Estimates Harvey Damage at $125 Billion

The center's report says Harvey's flooding was catastrophic over a large area of southeastern Texas, flooding more than 300,000 structures and up to 500,000 cars. About 336,000 customers lost power during the hurricane, and an estimated 40,000 flood victims were evacuated or took refuge in Texas and Louisiana shelters.

Housekeepers to Ask Las Vegas Hotels for Panic Buttons

Negotiations begin next month, and union leaders will also bring a request for panic buttons on behalf of the more than 14,000 housekeepers working on the Strip and in Vegas' downtown area. The goal of the wireless devices, which alert managers if workers are attacked, is to prevent sexual assault.

Vehicle-to-vehicle communication promises to prevent thousands of collisions and injuries annually, DOT and NHTSA believe. (Image downloaded from NHTSA August 2014 report)

Executive Order Creates DriveOhio Center

"Our goal is to make Ohio the premier destination for researchers, developers, and manufacturers to test, build, and deploy advanced mobility solutions that will make our roads safer and less congested," Ohio Gov. John R. Kasich said.

FDA Releases Compounding Priorities Plan

The plan outlines how the agency will implement key aspects of the Drug Quality and Security Act and other provisions of the 2013 law relevant to compounders.

Louisiana Health Department Renews Naloxone Order

"Louisiana has more opioid prescriptions than we have people, and the widespread distribution of naloxone is a key component of our strategy to combat the opioid epidemic and save lives," said Dr. Rebekah Gee, secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health.

Operation Lifesaver Installs Three New State Leaders

Steve Kreins now directs Oregon Operation Lifesaver as state coordinator; Brock Kerchner is the new Pennsylvania Operation Lifesaver state coordinator; and Jessica Devorsky starts Feb. 1 as state coordinator for Texas Operation Lifesaver.

Joint Commission Publishes Study on Successful Antimicrobial Stewardship Programs

Implementing them remains challenging for many hospitals, according to the commission.

CSB Investigating Oklahoma Gas Well Explosion

After being notified about the explosion, CSB deployed two investigators to gather additional facts. Investigators arrived on site Jan. 24 and met with the lease holder for the well and the drilling operator.

Philadelphia Officials Support Safe Injection Sites to Address Opioid Crisis

Health Commissioner Tom Farley said the sites would be medically supervised and provide services such as referral to treatment for drug use, access to sterile injection equipment, wound care, and the overdose-preventative naloxone.

IAEA Lab Renovations Well Under Way

The eight nuclear applications laboratories in Seibersdorf, Austria, opened in 1962 and had not undergone any renovation or received major equipment upgrades until the ReNuAL project began in 2014.

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