Emergency Response


Bill 168 requires Ontario workplaces with at least five full-time employees to complete a risk assessment of violence hazards that may arise before they develop a program.

Deadline Nears for Ontario's Workplace Violence Law

Safety organizations are helping employers prepare for the June 15 compliance date for Bill 168, which applies to all workplaces in the province where more than five workers are regularly employed.

Electric Vehicle Safety Standards Summit Set for October

NFPA is joining with SAE International to co-sponsor the event. NFPA published an article recently about the hazards emergency responders may face when responding to electric vehicle accidents, and the association is developing a responder safety training program with a $4.4 million DOE grant.

Hurricanes cause widespread destruction, and Sandy disrupted landline phone and cell phone communications when it affected the mid-Atlantic states in October 2012.

FEMA Showcases Warning System Improvements

The Integrated Public Alert and Warning System will accommodate cell phones, residential phones, and the Internet and serve as a more flexible tool for communicating with the public before, during, and after disasters.

EPA Proposes Adding 16 Chemicals to Toxics Release Inventory List

Each of the chemicals is "reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen," the agency said, noting the additions would be the first program chemical expansion in more than a decade.

9/11 FDNY Rescuers Show Lasting Lung Damage

A study of nearly 13,000 rescue workers from the Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY) shows that the significant proportion who suffered acute lung damage after exposure to World Trade Center (WTC) dust have not recovered normal lung function in the years since the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

29 Confirmed Dead in Mine Blast; Officials Respond

"The investigation team will work tirelessly to evaluate all aspects of this accident to identify the cause of the disaster," said Joseph A. Main, assistant secretary of labor for MSHA.

25 Killed in West Virginia Coal Mine Blast

"West Virginia is in mourning today,” said Representative Nick J. Rahall II on location at the mine, which is in his district. “We will scrutinize the health and safety violations at this mine to see whether the law was circumvented and miners’ precious lives were willfully put at risk, and there will be accountability.”

CSB Deploys Investigation Team to Fatal Blast at Tesoro Refinery

“The CSB has 18 ongoing investigations. Of those, seven of these accidents occurred at refineries across the country. This is a significant and disturbing trend that the refining industry needs to address immediately,” said John Bresland, CSB chairman and CEO.



Tips for Communicating in an Emergency

According to the Federal Communications Commission, it is important for consumers to keep in mind that during an emergency, many more people are trying to use their wireless and wired line telephones at the same time when compared to normal calling activity. When more people try to call at the same time, the increased calling volume may create network congestion.

First aiders should wear disposable gloves when dealing with blood or any other body fluid, according to the "Blood-borne viruses in the workplace" leaflet.

UK Employers Adjusting to New First Aid Guidance

The Health and Safety Executive revised its training regime on Oct. 1, 2009, to give employers more flexibility in how they train workers to provide first aid during emergencies. It says someone should be appointed to look after first aid supplies, including medical gloves.

U.S. Airforce

Service Before Self

At approximately 10 a.m. on March 25, 2009, an F-22 crashed northeast of Edwards Air Force Base, killing David Cooley, 49, of Palmdale, Calif., a 21-year veteran test pilot. During the days of World Wars I and II, this may have been all too common an occurrence with test pilot deaths occurring weekly, but today, with advances in safety and technology, a test pilot's death happens on the average of once every two to three years.

Ready for Anything

Being prepared for an unexpected disaster requires planning well in advance in order to manage any emergency situation. Whether it is a natural, weather-related, man-made, or technological disaster, the key to survival lies in your pre-disaster efforts. Taking the time to assess the company's functions, develop plans to keep the business operating, detail strategies to lead recovery, and conduct employee training can make the difference between survival or closure for a business.

This Encon Safety portable, 37-gallon pressurized wash station includes both eyewash and a drench hose.

Agriculture Eyewash/Shower Changes Proposed by Oregon OSHA

Public hearings are set for April 27 in Hood River and April 29 in Salem to discuss the proposed changes.

OSHA Finds Illinois Airport Tower Trafficking in Unsafe Conditions

Based on the violations found, total penalties assessed would amount to $125,000 if the employer was in the private sector, but under the law, federal agencies are cited without penalties.

ABPS Celebrates Doctor's Day 2010

Although today is its 20th anniversary as a national day, Doctor's Day observances date back to March 30, 1933.

X-rays Can Help Predict Risk in Clinically Suspected H1N1 Cases

CDC estimates that between April 2009 and January 2010 there have been approximately 57 million cases of H1N1 in the United States, resulting in 257,300 hospitalizations and 11,686 deaths. It is possible that the United States could experience additional waves of the virus throughout 2010, authors note.

Flood Recovery Work Swamped with Hazards

OSHA advises flood recovery workers to evaluate work areas for all hazards and use personal protective equipment.

The NFPA 1600 standard helps companies prepare for fires and other business interruptions.

New NFPA 1600 Available Free Online

One of the most widely implemented NFPA standards, it helps users prepare for disasters and business interruptions. The 2010 version has been reordered and expanded.

NASEMSO Warns Responders About H2S Suicides

"While there is no cause for widespread panic, symptoms can mimic carbon monoxide poisoning and EMS responders are encouraged to approach any dosed, suspicious vehicle with extreme caution," the association warns.

The DAYLITE CR123 is the brightest midsized flashlights in the Duracell line, according to the company.

'Set Your Clocks, Check Your Stocks,' APHA Urges

The American Public Health Association says Sunday's switch to daylight saving time is the right time to ensure your emergency supplies are ready.

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