Top Features


The letter report rleased Dec. 29, 2015, outlines the systematic review that will be made of interventions to decrease the risk of Alzheimer

Letter Report Outlines Review of Interventions to Decrease Dementia Risk

A full report from the National Academies' expert committee, including recommendations, is expected to be finished in 2017.

FAA and the USDA maintain a database of all reported wildlife strikes to U.S. civil aircraft and foreign carriers experiencing strikes in the United States.

FAA Calls Attention to Helicopter Bird Strikes

According to an Associated Press story, there were 204 reported helicopter bird strikes during 2013, a 68 percent increase from 2009's 121 reports and an increase of more than 700 percent since the early 2000s, according to FAA.

All batteries, regardless of the type, discharge over time and need to be replaced or recharged.

SCA Signs Often Missed, Study Finds

The authors reported that warning symptoms frequently occur prior to sudden cardiac arrest, but most are ignored.



NIST

NIST to Fund Manufacturing Innovation Institutes

Up to two will be funded with as much as $70 million each. This time, NIST hasn't defined an area of focus; the agency says it is open to receiving proposals in any topic of interest to industry, particularly those relevant to manufacturing robotics and biopharmaceutical manufacturing.

Border agents in Scotland have confiscated more than 15,000 hoverboards that have been tested and found to be unsafe, authorities said Dec. 3.

PHMSA Issues Alert on Shipping Hoverboards

PHMSA investigated 32 cargo containers and found that more than 80 percent of the shippers were unable to produce valid test reports to prove the lithium batteries had been properly manufactured and packaged to maintain integrity during transport.

Regular mail deliveries will take place on Dec. 24, 2015, and mail will be picked up from blue USPS boxes, according to the U.S. Postal Service.

There's Still Time for Last-Minute Mailing (and Avoiding Scammers)

As everyone should be aware, scammers and crooks aren't taking a holiday this week. A holiday season alert from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service urges the public to beware of bogus emails being sent to postal customers.

The occupations with the largest number of lost-time cut, laceration, and puncture injuries in 2013 included construction laborers.

Oregon OSHA Clarifies Policies on Temp Companies

A revised program directive contains inspection criteria that apply to temporary service providers and worker leasing companies.

Some locations, operations, or hazmat personnel may require security awareness training that includes security risks associated with their specific tasks and methods designed to enhance security.

FMCSA Cuts Random Testing Rate for 2016

FMCSA reports the estimated positive random controlled substance test rate in 2013 was 0.7 percent, compared with the estimated positive rates for drugs of 0.9 percent in 2011 and 0.6 percent in 2012.

Attorney General Eric Holder recommends that federal law enforcement personnel who may encounter people experiencing an opioid overdose be trained and equipped with naloxone.

CDC Researchers Report Big 2014 Increase in Opioid Death Rates

Heroin overdose death rates increased by 26 percent from 2013 to 2014 and have more than tripled since 2010, from 1.0 per 100,000 in 2010 to 3.4 per 100,000 in 2014.

The LifeVest defibrillator has received FDA approval for use by children who weigh at least 41 pounds and have a chest size of 26 inches or more, about the size of an average 8 year old. (Zoll photo)

LifeVest Defibrillator Approved for Pediatric Use

"Doctors now have important information that may help them safely prescribe this life-saving device to young patients who may benefit from the device," said Dr. Vasum Peiris, M.D., MPH, chief medical officer of Pediatrics and Special Populations in FDA's Center for Devices and Radiological Health.

The new federal OSHA and Oregon OSHA recordkeeping and injury recording rules cover employee hospitalizations and amputations.

Oregon OSHA's Recordkeeping, Recording Rules Taking Effect Jan. 1

Oregon OSHA adopted the changes in March 2015 after federal OSHA changed its recordkeeping and reporting requirements.

Challenge III winners are developing new materials to reduce head impact forces on sports professionals, military members, and others who wear protective gear.

Head Health Challenge III Winners Named

This open competition was launched to encourage the development of advanced materials for absorbing or dissipating impact that can be used in protective gear, playing surfaces, and equipment for athletes, members of the military, and others. Each winning team gets $250,000 to advance their work in developing state-of-the-art materials.

Hundreds of thousands of Americans who receive a drone for Christmas 2015 should register them almost immediately, FAA announced Dec. 14, 2015.

DOT Awaits Drone Registration Avalanche

The agency's proposed rule sets up an online registration process for owners of small unmanned aircraft weighing between 0.55 pounds and 55 pounds, with free registration offered for the first 30 days.

The light sets have been recalled because they may pose a fire risk, according to Health Canada. (Health Canada photo)

Multiple Holiday Light Recalls Announced in Canada

One of the recalls announced Dec. 11 involves approximately 487,041 units of holiday lights that were sold at Walmart Canada retail stores across Canada earlier this year.

Driver William D.W. Scott

NTSB Issues Oversize Loads Safety Alert

"When transporting oversize loads, planning ahead is critical," NTSB Chairman Christopher Hart said. "Both carriers and permitting authorities need to do their part to ensure the safe transport of oversize loads."

Oregon OSHA will convene an expert panel to advise it on which PELs are most in need of updating, Administrator Michael Wood reported.

OR-OSHA's Chief Outlines PEL Update Plans

Administrator Michael Wood explained in Oregon OSHA's latest newsletter that the agency will encourage employers to consider more-protective limits and also will "tackle four to six of the most significant and outdated PELs on a state level."

The December 2015 DOL symposium concerns the future of work.

DOL Leaders Discussing Future of Work Dec. 10

Participants from DOL scheduled to participate are Secretary of Labor Thomas Perez, OSHA Assistant Secretary Dr. David Michaels, Solicitor of Labor Patricia Smith, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Labor for Policy Sharon Block, Administrator of the Wage and Hour Division Dr. David Weil, Assistant Secretary of Labor for Employee Benefits and Security Phyllis Borzi, and Deputy Assistant Secretary of Employment and Training Eric Seleznow.

Featured

Artificial Intelligence

Webinars