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The Gaylord National Convention Center in National Harbor, Md., outside Washington, D.C., is the site of the 30th Annual National VPPPA Conference, taking place Aug. 25-28, 2014.

VPPPA Wraps Up 30th National Conference

The Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center overlooking the Potomac River turned out to be an ideal site for the four-day event.

The Volpe National Transportation Systems Center works with partner agencies on research to further safer, more efficient transportation systems. (Volpe Center image download)

Redevelopment of DOT's Volpe Center Planned

The U.S. General Services Administration has issued a Request for Information seeking ideas from the real estate development community to redevelop the John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center property in Cambridge, Mass.

Some workers are being exposed to high levels of benzene, a carcinogen, while gauging flowback tanks, the NIOSH team found.

NIOSH Documents High Benzene Exposures During Flowback Tank Gauging

Because workers' exposures can exceed the NIOSH REL and STEL, the team recommends monitoring workers, equipping them with flammable gas monitors and respiratory protection as an interim measure, and controls such as alternative tank gauging procedures and dedicated sampling ports.



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

NHTSA Moving Forward with Vehicle-to-Vehicle Technology

An ANPRM and a research report issued this week are about technology that "represents the next great advance in saving lives," Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx said.

Three-dimensional laser scanning was performed on some of the derailed tank cars and showed the shells of the tank cars exhibited impact damage ranging from localized buckles to large-scale buckling, and they sustained significant reductions in volume. (Image downloaded from Transportation Safety Board of Canada investigation report R13D0054)

Final Report Lists Many Contributing Factors in Lac-Megantic Derailment

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada's report lists 18 contributing factors involved in the July 6, 2013, accident that killed 47 people and destroyed 40 buildings in Lac-Mégantic, Quebec.

The renewed alliance will offer training and develop materials about anhydrous ammonia hazard mitigation and process safety management compliance. (Escolit photo)

OSHA Renews Alliance with Global Cold Chain Alliance

Based in Alexandria, Va., and with offices on five continents, GCCA represents more than 1,600 employers in the temperature-controlled supply chain.

The federal government

GSA Releases FY2015 Per Diem Rates for Federal Travelers

They will take effect Oct. 1, 2014, when the government’s new fiscal year begins.

Bee stings caused most of the occupational fatalities during 2003-2010 that were related to insect bites and stings, according to the BLS paper.

BLS Tallies Occupational Injuries Involving Insects

Bites and stings killed 10 workers per year on average from 2003 to 2010, and more than 4,600 lost-time non-fatal cases occur each year.

The data NIOSH researchers developed show that firefighters in turnout gear do not fit well in today

Ohio Comp Bureau Rebating $1 Billion, Launches Safety Campaign

The Bureau of Workers' Compensation will contribute to firefighter safety training and will collaborate with businesses, labor, and higher education to develop required training for high-risk specialties, including carpentry, welding, and plumbing.

About 40 percent of U.S. tractors in service lack rollover protective systems, the authors wrote.

National Coalition Working on Tractor Safety Retrofits

The goals are to find a national funding source and an adequate supply of the rollover protective systems (ROPS) needed for older tractors.

According to PHMSA, the proposed rule will facilitate easier bulk shipments of used automobile lead acid batteries to recycling centers.

PHMSA Proposes 'Reverse Logistics' Definition in Hazmat Regulations

The agency's proposed rule defines training requirements associated with reverse logistics shipments; provides authorized packaging for reverse logistics shipments; sets segregation requirements for reverse logistics shipments; and allows more flexibility for the transportation of used lead acid batteries.

This U.S. Coast Guard photo, showing the fire aboard the two barges on April 24, 2013, is included in the National Transportation Safety Board

Safety Board Finds Probable Cause of 2013 Barge Fire

Failing to isolate tank-cleaning operations from ignition sources was the probable cause, with failure to provide adequate tank-cleaning training to employees a contributing factor.

The explosion in West, Texas, prompted President Obama

Should EPA's Risk Management Program Regs List High Explosives?

The agency published a request for information about possible revisions to its RMP regulations on July 31, as required under Executive Order 13650.

The percentage of substance use treatment centers offering outreach services steadily increased from 2006 to 2012, according to the SAMHSA survey.

Substance Abuse Treatment Facilities Offering Outreach Services Still Rising

SAMHSA's latest report shows a 10 percentage increase from 2006 to 2012.

This FMCSA photo was included in NTSB

NHTSA Proposes More Passenger Protection in Motorcoaches

The agency has proposed a new federal motor carrier safety standard to enhance protections for rollover crashes.

The 2009 version of the standard is being revised, and public and stakeholder comments are being accepted by ISEA.

ISEA Accepting Comments on Revised First Aid Kit Standard

Sept. 8 is the deadline for submitting comments on the revision of ANSI/ISEA Z308.1-2009.

Cal/OSHA issued its first 2014 high heat alert on April 30.

AGC Reports 22,000 Construction Jobs Added Last Month

The sector's recovery has been uneven, according to the association’s economist, who said Congress’ bill to temporarily fund the Highway Trust Fund doesn’t help.

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