International Safety


Fatigue, High Workload Cited in ATSB Investigative Report

A network control officer intervened to prevent a collision when an operator drove an empty Sydney Trains passenger train in the wrong direction in March 2015.

NFPA 70E-2015 specifically defines ear canal inserts (ear plugs) as the required protection in all arc flash zones.

Get Acquainted With EU Safety Glove Standards

The classification of a glove in a particular test is usually defined as one of a series of performance levels. It is left to the user, following a suitable risk assessment exercise, to select a glove with a suitable profile.

WHO Committee to Meet on Zika Virus

The World Health Organization will convene an International Health Regulations Emergency Committee on the alarming spike in Zika virus cases.

The 2016 WHO report estimates 60 million people are affected by El Nino-related public health effects that include malnutrition and vector-borne diseases such as malaria.

WHO Warns of El Niño's Public Health Impacts

Based on the latest UN figures, the report estimates 60 million people will be affected by El Niño this year, with many of them suffering health consequences.

European Counter Terrorism Centre Launched

The new center allows European Union Member States to share information about threats and to improve their strategies for handling them.

Pan American Health Organization Stresses Zika Surveillance, CDC Issues New Guidelines

The Zika virus is now circulating in 18 countries and territories of Latin America and the Caribbean, causing the Pan American Health Organization to recommend that its 35 member countries monitor and report any increase in neurological syndromes and congenital anomalies.

Canadian Government Ends Conditional Pesticide Registrations

Conditional registrations have been granted when scientific review determines the risks of a pesticide are acceptable but additional confirming data are required. Conditional registrations don't undergo a public consultation until the registration is amended, renewed, or converted to a full registration.

ECHA Finds 22 Labs Ready for One-Generation Reproductive Toxicity Studies

ECHA performed a similar study in 2012 and now reports that global laboratory capacity to conduct the studies has increased. The latest study was triggered by the recent change in the REACH information requirements.



WHO Renews Warning on Counterfeit Meds

"They can be found in illegal street markets, via unregulated websites through to pharmacies, clinics, and hospitals" and are difficult to detect because they are frequently designed to appear identical to the genuine product and may not cause an obvious adverse reaction, according to the updated WHO fact sheet.

An 8.8 magnitude earthquake on Feb. 27, 2010, destroyed this building in Concepcion, Chile.

Chilean Architect Wins Presitigious Pritzker Prize

Alejandro Aravena, 48, and his colleagues helped to rebuild the city of Constitución after a February 2010 earthquake and tsunami devastated the city.

Approval Means Cholera Vaccine Supply to Double

"The addition of an additional pre-qualified vaccine producer is expected to double global supply to 6 million doses for 2016, with the potential for further increased production in the future," WHO announced Jan. 8. "This additional capacity will contribute to reversing a vicious cycle of low demand, low production, high price, and inequitable distribution to a virtuous cycle of increased demand, increased production, reduced price, and greater equity of access."

December's Storm Related Losses Topped $4 Billion

While preliminary data show a higher-than-normal number of disasters, overall losses were below normal, in terms of economic and insured losses. The United States represented 60 percent of all global insured losses in 2015, according to the company.

The UK Environment Agency in late December 2015 raised the Foss Barrier, which was built in 1987 to protect Yorkshire from floods caused by the River Ouse, after the barrier

UK Government Beefing Up Flood Defenses

Prime Minister David Cameron announced a $59 million package that includes reimbursement for fire and rescue agencies.

In advance of one storm approaching the Gulf of Mexico, Pemex prepared to evacuate 15,000 workers.

Solving Employee Transportation Issues

In the oil & gas industry, the ability to move your workers around safely may be the most important commodity.

UK Companies Fined $1.9 Million for Industrial Accident

Employee John Altoft, 29, fell 30 feet from a scaffold in January 2012 after being struck by falling debris inside an industrial tower. Another worker was seriously injured.

Sea Gem Disaster Victims Remembered, Highlighting Offshore Safety

An oil rig based in the North Sea, it capsized and sank Dec. 27, 1965, while being moved to a new location, killing 13 workers and injuring five others.

Zika Virus Cases Prompt Travel Advisories

The Public Health Agency of Canada and CDC are now urging travelers to protect themselves from mosquito bites when traveling to areas where Zika virus is circulating.

U.S., Mexico Sign New Aviation Agreement

"Under the old agreement, only a limited number of U.S. carriers could operate between any given city pair. Now, that number is unlimited. Carriers will have new opportunities to serve any location in Mexico from any location in the U.S., opening up new routes for travelers. And increased carrier competition will greatly benefit Mexican and American tourists and business travelers by offering them more options, better service, and lower prices," Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx reported.

Disaster Risk Agreement Among UN Leader's 2015 Highlights

The Sendai Framework on Disaster Risk Reduction was agreed on in March and points the way toward resilience.

HSE Taking Comments on Harbor Hazmat Regs

The proposed regulations are relevant to anyone involved in the transport, storage, or handling of dangerous substances or goods in harbors and ports, including harbor authorities, stevedores, masters of vessels and their agents, shippers, and truck and rail operators, as well as anyone involved in loading or unloading explosives anywhere on the coast of Great Britain or in territorial waters.

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