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DHS Creates Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office

The DHS Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office will streamline DHS efforts to prevent terrorists and other national security threat actors from using harmful agents, such as chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear material and devices, to harm Americans and U.S. interests.

BSEE Issues Safety Alert After Drillship Fatality

The alert recommends that all operators and drilling contractors working in the Gulf review their facilities' hazardous areas and associated safe work practices.

Grinder Recalled for Laceration Hazard

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled angle grinders and contact Metabo for instructions on how to receive a free repair or a replacement angle grinder. At the time the recall was announced, no injuries had been reported from the recalled product.

Union Pacific Showcases Drone Program, Plans

An online article about the program says Union Pacific now has 80 employees certified to fly drones and hopes to have nearly 250 throughout its 32,100-mile network by December 2018.

Illinois Streamlines Firefighter State Training Certification Process

"The Illinois legislature has mandated that the firefighters of Illinois receive training from the Fire Service Institute and certifications from the Office of the State Fire Marshal in order for them to operate smarter, safer, and more effectively," said Illinois State Fire Marshal Matt Perez. "The closer alignment of these two state agencies will offer unparalleled quality in fire service education."

North Carolina Observing Winter Weather Preparedness Week

"Many families are still recovering from Hurricane Matthew and other disasters," said state Emergency Management Director Mike Sprayberry. "Emergency managers are working daily with impacted communities to help them recover from these storms. But it is critical that we also prepare for any winter storm that can bring different hazards."

FDA Offers 3D Printing Guidance to Medical Device Makers

The agency claimed Dec. 4 to be the world's first to provide a comprehensive technical framework to advise manufacturers creating medical products on 3D printers.

Hawaii Releases Opioid Action Plan

Officials released it Dec. 1. The plan was developed collaboratively by multiple agencies starting in July 2017.



According to IOSH, research suggests that each year in Britain approximately 800 people die from lung cancer caused by prolonged exposure to RCS at work, and 900 new cases are being diagnosed annually.

UK Organizations Commit to Control Silica Exposures

IOSH announced the "Tackling respirable crystalline together: a cross-industry commitment" document was signed by organizations from across industry, including construction, rail, mineral products, professional bodies, academics, and unions.

WV Pharmacy Board Designates Gabapentin as 'Drug of Concern'

Overdose deaths related to it jumped from 36 in 2012 to 106 in 2016, the Charleston Gazette-Mail's Eric Eyre reported.

NY Authorities Charge Construction Firms with Wage Theft

The crackdown has identified about $1.2 million owed to nearly 400 workers, the New York State Department of Labor and Gov. Cuomo announced. "Every week, New Yorkers lose $20 million in unpaid wages," Manhattan DA Cyrus R. Vance, Jr. said. "And every day, construction workers who risk their lives doing dangerous jobs have to wonder whether they'll actually be paid for their work."

California's Minimum Wage Rising Jan. 1

The minimum wage will be $10.50 an hour for employers with 25 or fewer workers and $11 an hour for employers with 26 or more. And the rates keep rising until 2023. Other new laws taking effect on Jan. 1 in the state affect agricultural workers' sexual harassment training and CalEPA oversight of refineries' safety.

Company Paying $99,000 Civil Penalty for Air Quality Violations

The agency reported since 2013, Cabot had excess emissions of natural gas from 267 pneumatic controllers at well sites and did not submit complete compliance demonstration reports for 20 gas wells.

Winter Weather Driving: Safety Tips to Prepare, Protect, and Prevent

Winter Weather Driving: Safety Tips to Prepare, Protect, and Prevent

Winter is here, and many regions will be experiencing ice and snow on the roads.

GAO Recommends Improving Online Recall Assistance

Most consumers in the focus group website usability tests found the auto recall areas of NHTSA's website easy to use, but some experienced difficulties when asked to complete auto recall-related tasks.

ANSI Seeks Participants for Drone Panels

Subject-matter experts interested in participating in one or more of the four UASSC working groups are invited to review the working group architecture and return the sign-up sheet before Dec. 31, 2017.

CVS Health to Acquire Aetna

CVS Health to Acquire Aetna

The $69 billion deal, the largest corporate acquisition this year, would combine one of the nation's largest pharmacies with one of its oldest health insurers.

Louisiana's First Adaptive Traffic Signal System Now Operating

The state partnered with Sasol to install it to manage traffic during the construction of the company’s e Ethane Cracker and Derivatives Project and other industrial activity in Westlake.

Venezuela's Avior Airlines Added to EU Safety List

The addition means it is subject to an operating ban or operating restrictions within the European Union. Mustique Airways (St. Vincent and the Grenadines) and Urga (Ukraine) were removed after they made safety improvements.

Several railroad grade crossings will get flashing lights and gates as a result of nearly $10 million from the Railroad Safety Grants for the Safe Transportation of Energy Products (STEP) by Rail Program.

FRA Delays System Safety Rule Another Year

The rule would require commuter and intercity passenger railroads to implement a system safety program. FRA's Nov. 30 notice says rail labor organizations filed a single joint petition seeking a delay, and state and local transportation departments and authorities filed three other petitions.

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