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Views from the Floor of Safety 2016 Day 1

The first day of exhibiting featured a number of diverse and innovative products.

The container vessel COSCO Shipping Panama sets sail June 11 from the Greek Port of Piraeus to make the first transit of the Expanded Panama Canal on June 26, 2016. (Canal de Panama photo)

Panama Finally Opens Expanded Canal

Called a "risky bet" by The New York Times because of questions about the design and whether enough steel and concrete are in its new locks, it is a colossal bet by the country of Panama. The COSCO Shipping Panama, a Chinese container ship, made the first transit of the new canal June 26.

Two parts of the ISO 16140 series have now been published. (ISO photo)

ISO Updates Standard on Validating Microorganism Testing in Food

The ISO 16140-1:2016 standard for the validation of alternative (proprietary) microbiological methods provides a specific protocol and guidelines.



Community Risk Reduction is defined in NFPA 1035 as "programs, actions, and services used by a community, which prevent or mitigate the loss of life, property, and resources associated with life safety, fire, and other disasters within a community."

NFPA White Paper Aids in Establishing Community Risk Reduction Programs

The association's Urban Fire and Life Safety Task Force released the white paper last week.

The June 2016 report concludes military and civilian trauma systems are inextricably linked and will be optimized together, or not at all.

National Academies' Report Urges Integrating Military, Civilian Trauma Care

The report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine suggests this integration should be headed by the White House and is needed to reach the national goal of zero preventable deaths after injury.

Zika virus is transmitted to people primarily through the bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito, the mosquitoes that alos spread dengue and chikungunya viruses.

Phase I Human Trial of Zika Vaccine Approved

"We are proud to have attained the approval to initiate the first Zika vaccine study in human volunteers," said Dr. J. Joseph Kim, Inovio Pharmaceuticals, Inc.'s president and CEO. "We plan to dose our first subjects in the next weeks and expect to report phase I interim results later this year."

New Forest Service Fire and Aviation Management Director Named

"I am excited for this new opportunity and look forward to the challenges the Forest Service and fire management face today in light of the growing length and severity of our fire seasons. I am honored to represent the U.S. Forest Service and lead the best wildland firefighting organization in the world, Shawna Legarza said.

OSHA Reminds Texas Employers to Protect Workers from the Heat

OSHA Reminds Texas Employers to Protect Workers from the Heat

Temperatures in Texas are rising this week, and the agency reminds employers and workers that it has a free Heat Safety Tool app they can use.

The monsoon season is Arizona

Arizonans Urged to Be Ready for Monsoon Season

The season is Arizona's most active weather period, beginning in mid-June and ending in late September. Residents and visitors can expect extreme heat, severe thunderstorms, high winds, lightning, and dust storms, and possibly flash floods and wildfires.

DOT Wants Input About Assaults on Transit Workers

The Federal Transit Administration opened what it calls a national online dialogue this week about assaults on transit workers and announced it will publish a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that establishes rail and bus safety standards protecting rail and bus operators from the risk of assault. The online dialogue began June 13 and continues until July 25.

HHS, Cuba Sign Public Health Pact

"Cuba has made significant contributions to health and science, as evidenced by their contribution to the Ebola response in West Africa and becoming the first country to eliminate mother-to-child HIV transmission. This new collaboration is a historic opportunity for two nations to build on each other's knowledge and experience and benefit biomedical research and public health at large," HHS Secretary Burwell said.

The 2016 NFPA Conference & Expo is taking place June 13-16 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center.

NFPA 2016: Big Data and NEC 2017 Changes

The National Fire Protection Association's annual Conference & Expo is taking place June 13-16 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas.

The complex, an ethylene cracker with a polyethylene derivatives unit, will be built on the banks of the Ohio River about 30 miles northwest of Pittsburgh. As many as 6,000 construction workers will be involved in building it once main construction starts in approximately 18 months.

Shell Plans Big Petrochemicals Complex Near Pittsburgh

The complex, an ethylene cracker with a polyethylene derivatives unit, will be built on the banks of the Ohio River about 30 miles northwest of Pittsburgh. As many as 6,000 construction workers will be involved in building it once main construction starts in approximately 18 months.

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

Seven Cities Vying for Smart City Prize

DOT plans to award up to $40 million, subject to future appropriations, to a winning city after their mayors make their "final pitch" on June 9 in the Smart City Challenge.

The benefits of chemical substitution go beyond safety, and a strong business case can be made that its benefits include productivity improvement, as demonstrated in a 2008 AIHA study.

TSCA Reform Bill Passed By Congress

The long-delayed bill overhauling the Toxic Substances Reform Act is heading to President Obama’s desk for his signature.

"Using a seat belt is one of the safest, easiest, and smartest choices drivers and passengers can make before starting out on any road trip," said FMCSA Acting Administrator Scott Darling. "This rule further protects large truck occupants and will undoubtedly save more lives."

New Rule Says Passengers in Large Commercial Trucks Must Wear Seat Belts

"Using a seat belt is one of the safest, easiest, and smartest choices drivers and passengers can make before starting out on any road trip," said FMCSA Acting Administrator Scott Darling. "This rule further protects large truck occupants and will undoubtedly save more lives."

OSHA intends to establish a SBREFA panel in October 2016 as it works to develop a comprehensive combustible dust standard for general industry.

Combustible Dust Standard Drawing Closer?

OSHA intends to establish a SBREFA panel in October 2016 as it works to develop a comprehensive combustible dust standard for general industry.

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