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The Freeze Has Begun

The president's hiring freeze on non-DoD executive departments is in effect until an OMB long-term plan to reduce the federal workforce through attrition has been implemented. Meanwhile, a moratorium on federal rulemaking actions is already apparent.

Coast Guard Proposes Update to Marine Casualty Damage Threshold

Mandatory drug and alcohol testing would still be required if the property damage meets the revised threshold for serious marine incidents of more than $200,000 that is proposed in the NPRM.

DOT Designates 10 Automated Vehicle Proving Grounds

Bidding farewell to Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx last week, the agency announced the selections to encourage testing of new technologies.



This memorial wall was erected to honor the 29 miners who died in the Upper Big Branch Mine South explosion on April 5, 2010. (MSHA photo)

Appeals Court Upholds Don Blankenship's Conviction

A 3-0 decision by a panel of judges from the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals denied his appeal of his conviction for conspiracy to willfully violate federal mine health and safety standards.

Safety Concerns Cause Move of Antarctic Station

Safety Concerns Cause Move of Antarctic Station

The British Antarctic Survey station is being moved about 15 miles to get away from new crack in the floating Brunt Ice Shelf in Antarctica, and it will shut down from March to November this year.

OSHA Reminds Workers and Employers to be Safe While Removing Snow from Rooftops

OSHA Reminds Workers and Employers to be Safe While Removing Snow from Rooftops

The agency made the announcement following southwestern Idaho's record snowfall. Winter storms are affecting much of the northern half of the country this week.

Malaysian and Australian investigators examined a piece of MH370 aircraft debris found on Pemba Island off the coast of Tanzania in this ATSB file photo.

Australian Government Suspends MH370 Search

The last search vessel on Jan. 17 left the zone where an underwater search has been under way for months.

DOT Starts New Rail Crossing Warning Campaign

The $7 million digital, radio, and video campaign addresses young male motorists, and a supporting video shows a train slamming into an SUV.

Second Meeting of FAA Drone Committee Set

The committee's main goal during the second meeting, which is open to the public, will be to review and potentially approve three task groups, including one to review issues related to the roles and responsibilities of federal, state, and local governments in regulating and enforcing drone laws.

Canada's National Energy Board to Require More Emergency Info at Pipeline Application Stage

"Canadians have told us that they want more information about a company's emergency response information at the earliest stages of a proposed project. These changes will foster increased understanding among stakeholders, hearing participants, NEB experts, and panel members regarding a company's plans to respond should an emergency occur," said Peter Watson, chair and CEO of the board.

Padlocks should be standardized by size and color so that workers can easily identify function and ownership.

New ANSI Lockout Standard a 'New Direction'

The ANSI/ASSE Z224.1-2016 standard is a game changer for both the United States and OSH professionals globally, says Master Lock's Todd Grover.

The annual Great American Smokeout, a day when smokers are strongly encouraged to quit, occurs on the third Thursday of November.

Smoking's Cost Dwarfs Tobacco Tax Revenue, Study Shows

If all countries raised excise taxes by about 80 cents per pack, annual revenues from cigarettes globally could increase by $140 billion and lead to a 9 percent decline in smoking rates, WHO and the U.S. National Cancer Institute said.

Vehicle-to-vehicle communication promises to prevent thousands of collisions and injuries annually, DOT and NHTSA believe. (Image downloaded from NHTSA August 2014 report)

Microsoft Unveils Connected Vehicle Platform

Renault-Nissan is the first auto manufacturer to commit to the platform to build connected cars.

OSHA Issues Beryllium Final Rule

The rule will cut the eight-hour PEL from the current level of 2.0 micrograms per cubic meter to 0.2 micrograms per cubic meter. Above 0.2, employers woiuld have to take steps to reduce the airborne concentration of beryllium, and the rule requires additional protections that include personal protective equipment, medical exams, other medical surveillance, and training.

Killer Whale Involved in Big OSHA Case Dies

Tilikum, the orca that killed whale trainer Dawn Brancheau in February 2010 at SeaWorld of Florida, died Jan. 6 "surrounded by the trainers, care staff and veterinarians that provided him around-the-clock world-class care," the company reports.

DOL Gives $4 Million to California 2015 Wildfire Relief

The 2015 wildfire season was especially bad: The National Interagency Fire Center reports there were 60,984 fires that burned 9,937,863 acres in all, the most acreage consumed by wildfires during the 2006-2016 decade.

Illinois DOT Touts 2016 Successes, 2017 Plans

DOT Secretary Randy Blankenhorn said the agency finished more than 700 highway projects that ranged from routine resurfacings to multiyear reconstructions of interstates, bridges, and interchanges. On tap in 2017: encouraging autonomous vehicles.

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