Training


$1 Million in Commercial Vehicle Driver Training Grants Offered

“We depend on professional truck and bus drivers to safely move our economy,” said FMCSA Administrator Anne S. Ferro. “This grant program makes an investment in our workforce, while ensuring that new commercial drivers are well-trained and focused on safety."

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.

Bill Would Create New Roadway Safety Training Institute

“Too many families lose loved ones each year on our nation’s roadways," said Rep. Brett Guthrie. "The I-65 corridor in Kentucky has seen several tragedies this year. Hopefully this program will help to improve safety in these dangerous areas.”

DOL Seeks Public's Advice on Improving Disability Regulations

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 21.7 percent of people with disabilities were in the labor force in June 2010, compared with 70.5 percent of people with no disability. In addition, the unemployment rate for those with disabilities was 14.4 percent, compared with 9.4 percent unemployment for those without a disability.

Rule proposed by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection would strengthen state regulations for casing and cementing oil and gas wells.

Concern Rising about Marcellus Shale Wells

The last of four public hearings about proposed rule changes by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection takes place tonight, and the U.S. Senate HELP Committee holds a field hearing today about safety – both are in Pittsburgh.

Texas Company Charged with Electrocution Hazards, Faces $197.5K Fine

Willful violations were issued for failing to develop specific procedures to protect workers from the unexpected release of electrical energy, and for failing to provide adequate machine guarding for employees working around rotating shafts.

ASSE Offers Heat-Illness Safety Tips

Dry, hot skin with no sweating is not a good sign; it’s one of the symptoms of heat stroke and can be deadly. When working in the heat, try to have a cool cup of water every 15 minutes.

Sears Store Pays $30,750 to Sexagenarian It Refused to Hire

A then-61-year-old applicant sought an entry-level loss prevention/asset protection position but was turned down, despite his qualifications and 27 years of investigative experience.



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.

Blockbuster Settles ADA Case Involving Service Animal Access

The settlement terms include the company paying $22,000 -- $12,000 to the individual who filed the complaint and $10,000 as a civil penalty -- and posting "Service Animals Welcome" signs in all of its more than 3,000 retail stores.

Toxic Substances Control Act Reform Bill Introduced

The subcommittee chaired by co-sponsoring U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush, D-Ill., will hold a hearing July 29 on H.R. 5820.

Home Depot Cited for Recurring Chemical Hazards in NY

The retail giant received two notices of failure to abate after a new inspection found that workers in the store's painting and plumbing departments still lacked suitable emergency drenching facilities and methylene chloride information and training.

Special Permits, Hearing Spotlight Hazmat Cargo Tanks

An Aug. 3-4 public hearing by the NTSB about an Indianapolis crash will look at design changes and tank crashworthiness standards. Meanwhile, PHMSA has proposed incorporating six special permits in the Hazardous Materials Regulations, mainly for agricultural shipments.

Not one of the 155 crew members who died from falling overboard was wearing a personal flotation device (PFD), CDC reported.

Gulf Shrimping Highest for 2000-2009 Fatalities

CDC's analysis confirms commercial fishing is one of the most dangerous U.S. occupations, recording 504 deaths during the period for an annual fatalities rate of 128 per 100,000 workers -- 32 times higher than the rate for all workers.

DuPont Penalized Following Phosgene Fatality

Proposed fines total $43,000 for violations including the company's failure to properly inspect piping used to transfer phosgene, perform a thorough process hazard analysis for its phosgene operation, train workers on hazards associated with phosgene, thoroughly inspect all high-risk sections of piping used to transfer oleum, and properly install energized electrical conductors.

OSHA Tries to Cement Fall Hazard Charges Against Tuckpointing Firm

An inspection earlier this year resulted in the St. Louis company receiving five repeat citations, mainly for problems involving its use of scaffolds, plus two other serious allegations.

This photo of the Sago Mine is found on the MSHA online page about the 2006 mine explosion there.

$500,000 in Mine Safety Training Grants Offered

The FY 2010 Brookwood-Sago grants will fund mine emergency preparedness and mine emergency prevention training programs and training materials for underground mines.

USACR has launched an interactive Firearms Safety Techniques site.

Army Safety Center Creates Interactive Firearms Site

In one challenge, players participate in a series of tasks that center on increasing awareness of the dangers associated with environmental and physical impairments, such as foul weather, lack of sleep, and the effects of medication. During this virtual simulator experience at the nFocus Laboratory, the player attempts to shoot targets to score points as the impairment progressively becomes more and more severe.

DOL Opens ‘One-Stop’ Compliance Assistance Shop on Border

The new office will aim to connect employees, employers, and community-based organizations with the resources and assistance needed to ensure that workers in low-wage industries -- including laborers on federal construction and service contracts -- are paid fairly for all hours worked, DOL said.

OSHA Makes Pact with Pennsylvania Oil & Gas Industry

“Each day, oilfield workers are exposed to any number of hazards, including falls, fires, and explosions,” said John Hermanson, OSHA regional administrator in Philadelphia. “This alliance further strengthens OSHA’s ongoing efforts to protect workers in this area.”

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