Top Stories


Zika Outbreak Fairly Likely in Europe Soon: WHO

The overall risk of a Zika virus outbreak across the WHO European Region is low to moderate during late spring and summer, according to a new risk assessment from the WHO Regional Office for Europe.

GAO is also evaluating the electromagnetic event preparedness of U.S. electricity providers and is making a technical assessment of protective equipment that could mitigate the impacts of a geomagnetic disturbance on electrical infrastructure.

Electromagnetic Pulse Report Calls on DHS, DOE to Identify Key Infrastructure

The GAO report released May 17 said the two agencies had not acted to identify key infrastructure assets as required, given their responsibilities under the National Infrastructure Protection Plan. Both agencies concurred with the recommendation, according to the report.



FAA Tests Drone Detection System at JFK

The FAA is partnering with the FBI to detect “rogue” drones around airports.

The NFPA Standards Council wants input by June 17, 2016, from stakeholders who are using robotics in their emergency response activities.

NFPA Wants Input on Emergency Responders' Use of Robotics

The organization's Standards Council has received a request to begin developing an ANSI standard on operational protocol and professional qualifications for operators of robotics, including drones, used in emergency responder applications.

Engineer's Distraction, Lack of Positive Train Control Technology Cited in Amtrak Crash

"It's widely understood that every person, no matter how conscientious and skilled, is fallible, which is why technology was developed to backstop human vulnerabilities," said NTSB Chairman Christopher A. Hart. "Had positive train control been in place on that stretch of track, this entirely preventable tragedy would not have happened."

Colorado State Professor Receives Meritorious Achievement Award for Occupational Health and Hygiene

Stephen Reynolds is an associate head and faculty member in the Colorado School of Public Health

DOL Awards $1.4 Million for Storm Recovery Efforts in Texas

The money will be used for cleanup and recovery after severe storms in the summer of 2015.

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.

IOSH, BOHS, HSE Team Up for Silica Outreach

Their "Spotlight on Silica" presentations call attention to the hazards of respirable crystalline silica, which remains a potent hazard for millions of workers around the world.

EEOC Publishes Wellness Rules

U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., who chairs the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, said he will try to block the new rules and predicted they "will make it harder for employees to choose healthy lifestyles and to save money."

USPS: Houston Tops for Dog Attacks in 2015

USPS released 2015 data that showed 6,549 of its employees were attacked by dogs last year, and that four Texas cities ranked in the top 10 among U.S. cities for dog attacks.

NYC Bans Hands-Free Devices for Its Fleet

New York City will bar the use of hands-free phone devices by city fleet operators, except for emergency responders.

CDC Offering States Money for Zika Preparations

States and territories will receive funds based on the geographic locations of the two mosquitoes known to transmit Zika virus; their history of mosquito-borne disease outbreaks; and their population.

Joint Commission Adopting 2012 NFPA Life Safety Code

It is following CMS' lead. The final rule CMS published this month adopts most of the proposals that CMS made in 2014, but CMS removed a proposed requirement for hospitals to install smoke-purging systems in operating rooms.

PHMSA Meeting with Pipeline Advisory Committees in June

The June 1-3 meeting will consider proposed rules that would strengthen federal pipeline safety programs.

Featured

Artificial Intelligence