Risk Management


Airbus Unit Certified to Business Continuity Management Standard

This demonstrates the company has "effective processes in place to minimize exposure during external disruptive events," says the company's head of facility management.

Monsanto to Pay $2.5M for Distributing Misbranded Genetically Engineered Pesticide

The fine, levied after the company sold misbranded cotton seed to restricted counties in Texas, is the largest civil administrative penalty settlement ever received under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA).

USDA wants one member of the committee to be affiliated with a consumer group and to "serve as a representative member to provide a consumer viewpoint."

FSIS Trying to Fill Advisory Committee Vacancies

Nominations to fill 12 slots on the National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods are being accepted until Aug. 9. Most members require scientific expertise in epidemiology, food technology, microbiology toxicology, chemistry, risk assessment, or infectious disease.

Houston Hacker Gets Year in Prison for Hijacking Data

According to the Justice Department, the man connected to his former employer’s computer network from his home and recklessly caused damage by inputting various Oracle database commands. He also copied and saved to his home computer a database file containing personal information on the GEXA Energy customers, including names, billing addresses, social security numbers, dates of birth and drivers license numbers.

NHCA Conference to Focus on Future of Hearing Conservation

The association is now accepting papers for presentations and posters, due July 31 and Sept. 1, respectively. Topics may address basic scientific research, applied research, practical applications of research results, or other findings or concepts that may enhance hearing loss prevention efforts.

Fire Prevention Week 2010 will focus on smoke alarms.

NFPA Sounds Alarm for Fire Prevention Week 2010

This year's campaign theme, "Smoke Alarms: A sound you can live with," emphasizes the importance of smoke alarms in preventing fire deaths, injuries, and property loss.

Smokeless Cigarettes Cause Plane Fire; Firm Fined $168,000

The smokeless cigarettes in the shipment contained alcohol, a flammable liquid, and a lithium battery, a hazardous material.

OSHA Unveils Dedicated Website for Whistleblowers

"OSHA doesn't work unless workers feel secure in exercising their rights," said Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA David Michaels. "This Web page is part of OSHA's promise to stand by those workers who have the courage to come forward when they know their employer is cutting corners on safety and health."



NFPA Issues Safety Alert on Antifreeze in Residential Sprinklers

Based on testing conducted, 70/30 percent glycerin and 60/40 percent propylene glycol antifreeze may provide an unacceptable risk of harm to occupants in certain types of fire scenarios, in particular kitchen grease fires.

NACCHO Executive Director Robert M. Pestronk said the job losses at local health epartments "make life riskier."

Public Health Spotlight: Job Losses, New Accreditation

The National Association of County & City Health Officials holds its annual meeting next week in Memphis with officials worried about 23,000 jobs lost thus far at local health departments nationwide.

Four NY Contractors Fined $90K Following Brooklyn Balcony Collapse

An employee of one of the firms fell 20 feet when the second floor balcony he was standing on collapsed as he was attempting to jack up the third floor balcony. An inspection by OSHA's Manhattan area office found that the second floor balcony was overloaded, improperly constructed, and incapable of supporting its weight load.

OSHA Files Complaint against 350 Postal Facilities

The move marks the first time the department has sought enterprise-wide relief as a remedy.

NIOSH Alert Covers Fire Risk Management Practices

The 36-page document addresses the right way to fight fires in abandoned, vacant, or unoccupied structures, which can present unexpected hazards.

DHS announced a new national information-sharing partnership with Amtrak as part of the Nationwide Suspicious Activity Reporting Initiative.

DHS Launches 'See Something, Say Something' Campaign

"Implementing a national suspicious activity reporting partnership with Amtrak and expanding the 'See Something, Say Something' campaign strengthens our ability to guard against terrorism and crime," said Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano.

OSHA chief David Michaels

OSHA Chief Concerned Oil Spill Workers Being Short Shrifted on Training

For the HAZWOPER work at hand, the agency requires 40 hours of "rigorous" training, Michaels said, adding that reportedly "some are offering this training in significantly less than 40 hours, showing video presentations and offering only limited instruction."

OSHA Files Repeat Citations, $72,500 Fine Against Shipping Company

Horizon Lines of Puerto Rico Inc. had recurring problems at the Puerto Nuevo Port Area marine terminal in San Juan, said José A. Carpena, OSHA's area director for Puerto Rico.

Imperial Sugar has settled litigation stemming from the 2008 explosion at its Georgia plant in which 14 people died.

Imperial Sugar Settles with OSHA, Agrees to Pay $6.05 Million

As part of the settlement, the company agrees that it has corrected all deficiencies at both of its plants or will correct those deficiencies according to a set schedule. Originally, OSHA fined the company $8.8 million following the 2008 explosion that took 14 lives and seriously injured dozens of others at its plant in Port Wentworth, Ga.

Workshop to Investigate Impacts of Indoor Air Contaminants, Lead Paint

The half-day event will focus specifically on damage to building contents that can result from airborne contaminants and the ramifications to contractors of EPA’s Renovation, Repair, and Painting rule.

CVS Signs Mediation Agreement to Handle Potential Workplace Disputes

The mediation partnership marks the 200th such national or regional agreement between EEOC and a large employer (mainly Fortune 500 companies) and bolsters a multi-year trend of corporate America signing on to such Alternative Dispute Resolution programs.

Parts of Dust Standard Likely to Be Retroactive

The OSHA Combustible Dust Team's web chat with more than 400 stakeholders also gave some idea of the timetable for the combustible dust standard that will be developed.

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