Fire Safety


NOAA Finds Flame Retardants Widespread in U.S. Coastal Ecosystems

The first-ever national survey of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in the U.S. coastal zone and Great Lakes found them concentrated near urban areas, especially near Los Angeles and New York City. Both sediment and mollusk concentrations directly correlate with local human populations.

Controlling Hot Work Fire Hazards

Hot work continues to be a leading cause of industrial fires, consistently in the top five across all industries, and it has been responsible for many of industry's most severe fire losses.

Justice Department Settles Discrimination Lawsuit against City of Portsmouth

The Department of Justice announced recently that it has entered into a consent decree with the City of Portsmouth, Va., that, if approved by the court, will resolve the department's complaint that the City of Portsmouth engaged in a pattern or practice of employment discrimination against black Americans in its hiring of entry-level firefighters, in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VII).

NIST, DHS Program Evaluates Labs for Emergency Communications Tests

To help ensure that first responders, public safety officers, and military personnel can always talk with each other no matter what communications equipment they are using--a characteristic known as interoperability--the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have teamed up to create the Project 25 Conformity Assessment Program (P25 CAP).

NIOSH Conducts Review of Firefighter Draft Document

The overall goal, NIOSH said, is to enhance the quality of agency recommendations by ensuring appropriate public review.

FEMA Announces USFA Deputy Assistant Administrator Appointment

Acting Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator Nancy Ward has announced the appointment of former Fairfax County Fire Chief Glenn Gaines as the new Deputy Assistant Administrator for the U.S. Fire Administration.

Sugar Producer Fined for Combustible Dust Hazards

Other alleged violations of the Florida company include not developing lockout/tagout procedures on packaging machines to prevent accidental machinery start-up; exposing employees to electrical hazards; and using high-pressure compressed air for cleaning purposes.

NIST Releases Draft Guidelines for Structural Fire Resistance

The draft guidelines feature information on current best practices in structural fire resistance engineering in the United States and overseas.



Kidde Recalls Fire Extinguishers Due to Failure to Operate

The Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with Walter Kidde Portable Equipment Inc., of Mebane, N.C., has announced a voluntary recall of certain approximately 167,000 Kidde XL Fire Extinguishers.

a residential house fire

D.C.-Area Department Wins NFPA's Jensen Memorial Grant

The Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service wins $5,000 to help its fire safety program for adults older than 65. The department has won many accolades and recently had its chief leave to become fire chief of Charleston, S.C.

Payouts Near for Victims, Relatives in 2003 Nightclub Fire

Rhode Island Gov. Carcieri wants to pay $10 million, which the state offered to victims, from federal stimulus money before July 1, and federal magistrate judge has approved a plan to distribute $176 million to more than 300 people.

Process Safety Management Failings at Refinery Lead to $130,500 in Fines

Included in the penalty amount is one willful violation for the company's failure to appropriately test gas monitors for hydrogen sulfide and combustible gas in the HVAC systems for the control rooms.

Wall-Mounted Radiators Recalled by Rettig Belgium Due to Crush Hazard

The Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with Rettig Belgium NV, of Belgium, have announced a voluntary recall of some Radson Wall-Mounted Radiator.

NTSB Urges Modification of Mobile Acetylene Trailer Regulations

The National Transportation Safety Board has recommended that the Department of Transportation modify current federal regulations addressing the adequacy of mobile acetylene trailer design for protection during transport and the effectiveness and safety of current unloading procedures.

UL Publishes Safety Standard for Portable Generators

Portable generators offer an alternative source of electricity during temporary power outages and have become a vital tool during severe storm recovery. However, when not used properly or when used indoors, these devices may present potential safety risks to consumers.

USFA Releases Wildland Fire Skills 'Gap' Courses

The United States Fire Administration (USFA) recently announced the availability of wildland fire skills Gap courses for structural firefighters.

OSHA Interpretation: Not All Firefighters have HAZWOPER Clearance

"Personnel trained to the first responder awareness level may make an effort to identify hazardous substances, but they must do so from a safe distance," wrote Richard E. Fairfax, director of OSHA's Directorate of Enforcement Programs.

arc welding

Living with Arc Welding Spatter

Welding spatter can cause equipment problems, weld quality problems, fires, and burns. This article will help you reduce costs, improve weld quality, and be safe.

Updates on Safety Equipment PPE Certification Activity

In the midst of changes taking place throughout the health care industry, many OHNs are rightly feeling they are in a whole new profession, which helps explain why organizers of this year's annual AAOHN conference have for months now been plugging the event with the tagline "It's a Whole New Symposium."

Alabama Auto Parts Plant Cited for Lockout/Tagout Failures

In addition, one of the plant's maintenance providers has also been cited, in part for failing to adequately train employees to fight fires, which it contracted to do at the site.

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