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ASSP Launches Standards and Tech Pubs Podcast Series

Future podcasts will cover topics such as fall protection and the management of hazardous energy. The episodes are free to listen to or download from the ASSP website every two weeks.

DOL Secretary Acosta Gave 'Sweetheart Deal' to Accused Millionaire: Miami Herald

Acosta agreed in 2007 to allow a multimillionaire defendant accused of coercing underage girls into sex acts at his Florida mansion to plead guilty only to two prostitution charges in state court, and Acosta, then Miami's top federal prosecutor, also agreed to keep the deal from the defendant's victims, the Miami Herald's Julie K. Brown reported Nov. 28.

Australian Police, Emergency Services Workers Report High Rates of Psychological Distress

During the Answering the call survey, more than 21,000 police, fire, ambulance, and SES employees, volunteers, and retired and former employees answered questions about their wellbeing, anxiety conditions, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and thoughts of suicide.



NYC Mayor Announces Bronx Opioids Action Plan

The Bronx surpassed Staten Island in 2017 as the borough with the highest rate of overdose deaths, according to Health Department data. "The Bronx needs more support to reduce drug overdoses, and the city is ready to provide that support," said Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Dr. Herminia Palacio.

Settlement Bans Washington Company from Public Projects Statewide

The company's settlement with the state Department of Labor & Industries concerned wage violations and false reporting of payroll records, according to L&I’s release.

Albuquerque FD Aims to Reduce Firefighters' Exposure to Carcinogens

Cancer is “an epidemic in the fire service,” Albuquerque Fire Rescue Chief Paul Dow said. According to the International Association of Fire Fighters, cancer is now the leading cause of line-of-duty deaths among firefighters in the U.S.

NCCCO Publishes Employer Guides to New Crane Rule

The Employer Guides cover the training, certification, and evaluation requirements for crane operators under OSHA's final rule.

HHS Issues Draft Strategy to Reduce Burden of Health IT

“Usable, interoperable health IT was one of the first elements of the vision I laid out earlier this year for transforming our health system into one that pays for value,” HHS Secretary Alex Azar said. “With the significant growth in EHRs comes frustration caused, in many cases, by regulatory and administrative requirements stacked on top of one another."

South Dakota Reports First 2018-19 Flu Death

"Our sympathy is with the family. Their loss serves as a reminder to us all that influenza can be a very serious illness," said Dr. Joshua Clayton, state epidemiologist for the department. "It is not too late to get vaccinated for this flu season, and if you haven't yet received your annual flu vaccination, the time to do so is now."

German Entry Wins 2018 Healthy Workplaces Film Award

The annual award honors an outstanding documentary or animated film that focuses on the experiences of workers, examining such topics as the effects of economic and political change on work, workplace risks, and mental health and well-being at work.

FEMA Agrees to Make Vendors Change Emergency Alert Software

FEMA concurred with both recommendations in the DHS inspector general's report but said it expects to complete its work on both on Oct. 31, 2019.

Health Groups Release Recommendations on Drug Shortages

They include conducting a GAO study to identify factors that contribute to shortages and developing a list of critical drugs essential for emergency response and preserving life.

NSC's Deborah Hersman Joining Waymo as Chief Safety Officer

"On behalf of the NSC Board of Directors, congratulations to Debbie on her exciting new role with Waymo," said Board Chairman Mark Vergnano. "Debbie has always been a strong champion for safety, and she is perfectly positioned to lead Waymo through the next phase of their self-driving vehicle program."

HHS Program Aids California Fire Victims

Uninsured residents of Butte, Los Angeles, and Ventura counties in California are eligible for no-cost replacements of critical medications that were lost or damaged by the wildfires in those three counties, thanks to the HHS Emergency Prescription Assistance Program.

Utility's CEO Promises 'Safer Than Ever' Gas System at Field Hearing

Daniel Rivera, the mayor of Lawrence, faulted Columbia Gas for its actions during and after the disaster. "It was clear that the Columbia Gas engineers and Columbia Gas Massachusetts top leadership were afraid and lacked a clear path to deal with the disaster," he said in his prepared statement. "They owned the pipe, owned the gas in the pipe, they owned the customer relationships, yet they failed to own this disaster."

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