International Safety


An image of NISTs RoboCrane

NIST RoboCrane to Help Clean Up Chernobyl Disaster Site

According to its developers, the design's precision maneuverability throughout a large space and ability to be outfitted with a large variety of tools make it ideal for this type of application.

Researchers Caution against Unrealistic Claims of Home Genetic Tests

Direct to consumer (DTC) genetic tests are increasingly being marketed to the public via television, print ads, and the Internet. These home genetic tests provide access to a person's genomic information without necessarily involving a doctor or insurance company in the process.

The international attendees will be explaining how they address fatigue among commercial motor vehicle operators on their roads.

Motor Carrier Fatigue Recommendations Coming Soon

An advisory committee to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration will hear from international experts two weeks from now, then write recommendations to be delivered in December.

Russia Shares Dam Safety Knowledge

Confidence in the government waned during this month's wildfires, but officials from several neighboring Central Asian countries were in Moscow on Monday to start a weeklong course about maintaining hydroelectric dams.

Fines in Drywall Worker's Fall Total $100,000

The two Canadian companies involved, the contractor and a drywall/stucco subcontractor, both pleaded guilty to failing to ensure the injured worker was protected by a guardrail.

Bala and Tabaku concluded airborne dusts and fumes to which the workers are occupationally exposed are the cause of their COPD.

COPD Rates High Among Eastern European Iron/Steel Workers

A new study by two Albanian researchers has found prevalence varying between 19.2 percent and 25.7 percent among workers in the metallurgical industry.

Honeywell's Purchase of Sperian Halfway Home

The acquisition of Sperian shares held by Essilor International, Ginette Dalloz, and Societe Civile Familiale Dalloz means the current tender offer until Sept. 2 remains on track.

Since the fire season began, about 1.7 million acres have burned.

Russia May Revise Current Fire Safety Program

EMERCOM, the agency that includes the Russian State Fire Service, reported 129,161 people and 19,343 pieces of apparatus were fighting the 589 fires active on Aug. 5 in the country.



Fatal Unloading Incident Brings Heavy Fine

A distribution company will pay $318,000 plus $27,000 in costs after pleading guilty in a British courtroom. Regular inspections of the truck involved in the case might have prevented the death, HSE's inspector said.

NIST Seeks New Members for Nine Advisory Committees

The National Institute of Standards and Technology is requesting nominations of qualified individuals for its nine existing federal advisory committees. Nominations for all committees will be accepted on an ongoing basis and will be considered as and when vacancies arise.

Australia Considers Control Banding for Nanomaterials

A report released Aug. 2 by Safe Work Australia evaluates two possible approaches for using control banding to ensure safety when working with nanomaterials but admits workplaces there have little knowledge of it.

This photo shows relatives grieving for Ma Xianqian, a Foxconn employee who committed suicide.

Global Electronics Factories In Spotlight

Recently, a model of genuine worker participation has surprisingly emerged in China.

The analysis of heavy truck accidents in Europe showed truckers are seldom at fault for injury accidents.

EU Study Confirms Truckers Cause Few Accidents

Accident reconstruction experts examined 624 injury accidents in seven European countries involving at least one heavy truck. Truckers caused 25 percent of the ones linked to human error, they concluded.

This photo shows some of the destruction caused by the December 2004 Asian tsunami.

Global Database Being Developed for Use in Disasters

INTERPOL is working with five European partners to create FASTID, which became a priority after the Asian tsunami on Dec. 26, 2004, killed at least 227,000 people.

Construction of venues for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic games is well under way in London.

London Looks Ahead

With construction of venues for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic games well under way, a study commissioned by HSE analyzed the risks and hazards at major sports events around the world. The 2010 FIFA World Cup was insured for a total of about $9.4 billion, according to Lloyd's.

Course director Mark Katchen, CIH, provided this photo. He said most of the students had environmental expertise, but few possessed IH expertise because just a few Chinese universities offer hygiene programs.

Taking Occupational Hygienist Training to the World

Many organizations contributed to the recent presentation of a training module in Shanghai for about 25 students. The goal of the new Occupational Hygiene Training Association is to take the courses to the developing world as an international certification is developed.

UK Vehicle Components Maker Fined in Guarding Case

A maintenance worker was seriously hurt in May 2008 when he entered a robotic work cell, even though the fully automated robot had not been switched to manual mode, because he wanted to watch its operating cycle. That had become common practice at the plant, according to HSE.

As of Dec. 1, 2010, companies in the European Union must apply CLP, the new European Regulation on Classification, Labelling and Packaging, to chemical substances.

Lots of GHS Progress Happening This Year

The first of two important EU phase-in deadlines arrives a few days before the UNECE Sub-Committee of Experts on the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals meets Dec. 7-9 in Geneva.

DHS Shells out More than $1.8 Billion in FY 2010 Preparedness Grants

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano on July 15 announced more than $1.8 billion in Fiscal Year 2010 Federal Emergency Management Agency preparedness grants designed to help states, urban areas, tribal governments, and non-profit organizations enhance their protection, prevention, response and recovery capabilities for risks associated with potential terrorist attacks and other hazards.

Delayed Payments After Fire Cause Eurotunnel Loss

Traffic and revenues rose 22 percent at a constant exchange rate, but the company operating the Channel Tunnel posted a first-half loss because 48 million euros' worth of indemnities have been held up since May 2009.

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