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USFA Releases Thanksgiving Day Fires in Residential Buildings Report

The Federal Emergency Management Agency's U.S. Fire Administration issued a special report recently examining the characteristics of Thanksgiving Day fires in residential buildings. The report, Thanksgiving Day Fires in Residential Buildings, was developed by USFA's National Fire Data Center.

OSHA Blasts Massachusetts Demolition Firm for Fall Hazards

OSHA's inspection found USA Demolition employees exposed to falls from 10 to 20 feet while working without fall protection on the building's roof.

Changes are being made in 49 CFR Part 225, which requires rail employee injuries and illnesses to be reported.

Changes Coming in Railroads' Injury Reporting Duty

The final Federal Railroad Administration rule takes effect June 1, 2011. It eliminates the current requirement that railroads decide within seven days whether a potentially reportable injury was work related.



New Tobacco Control Strategy Coming from HHS

By June 22, 2011, FDA will choose nine larger warning statements and color images that will then appear on cigarette packages and in cigarette ads.

OSHA Emphasis Program Started for Kansas Grain Industry

The agency's Wichita Area Office will examine grain elevators and other operations for hazards typically associated with grain handling. Two workers died in June when a grain elevator collapsed in Russell, Kan.

New Debate Over Administration's Gulf Drilling Ban

The Department of Interior inspector general's investigative report has been posted about whether the May 27 moratorium on deepwater drilling was falsely portrayed as having been peer reviewed by a panel of experts.

Antimicrobial resistance has long been a concern for U.S. policy makers and public health organizations, including CDC, which displays this graphic on its antimicrobial resistance website.

Antimicrobial Resistance Chosen as World Health Day 2011 Theme

The World Health Organization announced Nov. 6 that it will launch a worldwide campaign on that day -- April 7, 2011 -- to safeguard medicines for future generations.

Steel Mill Cited $143,000 for Fall Hazards, Repeat Violations

The company's Lorain location, which employs about 250 people, has been inspected 25 times and received 59 safety violations since 1999.

EPA Issues New GHG Permitting Guidelines

Starting Jan. 2, 2011, industries that are large emitters of GHGs, and are planning to build new facilities or make major modifications to existing ones, will work with permitting authorities to identify and implement BACT to minimize their GHGs.

EU OSHA Seeking New Director

Applications are due by Dec. 7. The vacancy notice posted Nov. 9 indicates the person who is hired will be expected to start work by Sept. 15, 2011.

Travel Agency Fined for Violating Price Advertising Rules

"When people buy tickets for air travel, they have the right to know how much they will have to pay," said DOT Secretary Ray LaHood. "We will continue to take enforcement action when our price advertising rules are violated."

Dr. William Schaffner

Flu Immunization Proponent Wins Top APHA Award

Dr. William Schaffner is a leader of Joint Commission Resources' Flu Vaccination Challenge, which has signed up more than 1,100 health care organizations this year.

Warning the employee or health care provider, either in writing or orally, not to provide genetic information creates a "safe harbor" for the employer.

EEOC Issues Final GINA Title II Regulations

Employers have been required to comply with the Genetic Information Non-Discrimination Act of 2008 since Nov. 21, 2009.

Masonry Block Manufacturer Fined $119,625 for Machine Guarding, More

OSHA's inspection of the masonry block manufacturing company's facility, initiated under OSHA's site-specific targeting program addressing employers with high injury and illness rates, found 16 serious violations and one repeat violation.

Utah DOT Safety Director Wins AASHTO Award

Several state DOTs brought home top honors from the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials' 2010 Annual Meeting.

The rule says employers must perform a pre-erection inspection of tower cranes.

Cranes and Derricks Standard Takes Effect

Nov. 8 is a rarity on the safety and health calendar: An OSHA final rule became effective as of that date, having been published Aug. 9, 2010.

VPPPA Executive Director Receives ISEA Service Award

R. Davis Layne, who worked more than 30 years for OSHA before becoming executive director of the Voluntary Protection Program Participants’ Association, Inc., received the Robert B. Hurley Distinguished Service Award.

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