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Drought raises public health issues, according to CDC.

CDC: Drought is a Public Health Issue

Drought can affect air quality and increase the incidence of illness and disease, according to the agency. Currently, parts of California, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, and Nevada are experiencing extreme or exceptional drought.

The proposed rule would write into the OSHA recordkeeping standard the agency

OSHA Tackles Volks II Setback in Recordkeeping Rulemaking

More than three years after a federal appeals court ruled that OSHA must cite an employer for failing to record an injury or illness within six months of the first day on which the regulations require the recording, OSHA now intends to revise 29 CFR part 1904 to "clarify that the duty to make and maintain accurate records of work-related injuries and illnesses is an ongoing obligation."

This photo taken by Patsy Lynch on Sept. 24, 2008, shows a resident of Gilchrist Island, Texas, looking at the remains of his home after Hurricane Ike devastated the area. Photo by Patsy Lynch/FEMA.

Texas DPS Says Stay Ready for Hurricanes

"Especially as we approach the most active part of hurricane season, the best time to prepare is now, before a storm is imminent," said DPS Director Steven McCraw. "Early and adequate planning makes all the difference when a hurricane or severe weather threatens an area."



Corvallis, Ore.-based VDOS Global uses aerial robotics and remote sensing to provide oil and gas inspections, environmental research, aerial surveying and other services using for its clients around the world. (VDOS image)

New Zealand Restrictions on Drone Use Take Effect This Week

Operators who want to fly their unmanned aircraft operations over people and property must obtain consent from the individuals or property owners beforehand or get an operating permit from the Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand.

Queens Boulevard has become known as the "Boulevard of Death."

NYC Begins Reconstructing 'Boulevard of Death'

Queens Boulevard will get safer crossings, more crosswalks for pedestrians, protected bicycle lanes, expanded medians with trees and plantings, and reconfigured intersections to deter speeding. The mayor’s office says 185 people have died on this street since 1990, most of them pedestrians.

OSHA Fines Texas Firms $791,300 in 'Egregious' Cases

One involves a trench collapse in which a worker was trapped, the other a 12-foot fall from a roof.

This screen capture from the CSB safety video shows the Anacortes Refinery

Judge Hearing Appeal of Tesoro Anacortes Fine

Seven workers died in an explosion when a heat exchanger failed in the petroleum refinery on April 2, 2010. The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries cited Tesoro for 39 willful violations and five serious violations, fining the company $2.39 million.

The 31st Annual National VPPPA Safety & Health Conference takes place at the Gaylord Texan Aug. 24-27, with the expo set for Aug. 24-26. (Gaylord Hotels photo)

Deep in the Heart: 31st Annual National VPPPA Conference Bound for Texas

Speakers include keynoter Jim Davidson, a veteran of many high-altitude climbs and rescues, and Closing General Session speaker Daryl "Moose" Johnston, a three-time Super Bowl winner with the Dallas Cowboys and "NFL on Fox" analyst.

On-site personnel could not remotely monitor the level inside a tank being filled from a dockside ship, leading to accidental overfilling of the tank, CSB investigators said shortly after the explosion.

CSB Meeting on Bayamon Explosion This Week

Also on the agenda are a staff presentation on the calendared recommendation to BP resulting from CSB's investigation of the 2005 BP America refinery explosion in Texas City, Texas, and staff reports on recommendations related to California's draft Process Safety Management rules and laboratory safety guidelines from the American Chemical Society.

SAMHSA says federal agencies that do utilize oral fluid testing will realize several benefits, including faster, on-site collection of specimens.

Most Commenters Endorse Oral Fluid Testing Guidelines

DATIA and some testing companies also submitted comments in response to SAMHSA's proposed mandatory guidelines, which were published May 15, 2015.

Dr. Jay Butler, chief medical officer of the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services, called the state

Alaskans' Heroin Use, Deaths Rising Fast

A bulletin issued July 14 by the Department of Health and Social Services says the inpatient hospitalization rate nearly doubled from 2008 to 2012, and deaths more than tripled from 2008 to 2013.

The head-on crash in Orland, Calif., resulted in 10 fatalities, including eight of the bus passengers, and 39 injuries. NTSB

NTSB Calls for Motorcoach Safety Design Improvements

Its recommendations from the Orland, Calif., 2014 crash involving a tractor double trailer and a motorcoach also ask FMCSA to require all passenger coach operators to provide pretrip safety briefings and printed safety information to their passengers.

The commission is charged with completing its report on West Virginia oil and gas workers

WV Governor Creates Oil & Gas Safety Commission

Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin's Executive Order No. 5-15 says the number and severity of personal injuries to workers in the oil and gas industry have increased as fracking and horizontal drilling practices have become more prevalent.

In the past five years, Union Pacific has experienced eight trespasser injuries and 10 trespasser fatalities on its property in Wisconsin.

Union Pacific Seeks Veto of Trespassing Repeal Measure in Wisconsin's Budget

"Union Pacific and the entire rail industry urge Gov. Scott Walker to veto this attempt to repeal Wisconsin's railroad trespass law and help keep Wisconsin citizens and our employees safe," Donna Kush, vice president public affairs for UP’s northern region, wrote in a July 10 op-ed for the Wisconsin State Journal.

OSHA Announces 'Temporary Enforcement' on Construction Confined Space Rule

Until Oct. 2, a "temporary enforcement period" is in effect: OSHA will not issue citations to employers who make good faith efforts to comply with the new standard.

Current fire codes require crowd managers be on hand for large sporting events, concerts, and similar gatherings.

International Code Council Offering Updated Crowd Manager Training

The International Fire Code requires a trained crowd manager to be present at an event with 1,000 or more people and one crowd manager per 250 attendees.

The assessment team

WHO Responds to Ebola Assessment Panel's Report

WHO's announcement said the agency is already working on some of the recommendations, including the development of the global health emergency workforce and a contingency fund to ensure needed resources are available to mount an initial response.

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