International Safety


HSE Revising Asbestos Remediation Codes

The Approved Codes of Practice for working with asbestos-containing materials are being consolidated.

Dozens Missing After Quebec Rail Disaster

An unattended train carrying crude oil rolled into the town of Lac Megantic, where several railcars derailed and caught fire. Five people are confirmed dead and more than 40 are missing.

UK Workplace Deaths Continue to Decline

Great Britain has had one of the lowest fatality rates in leading industrial nations in Europe for the past eight years.

Hong Kong Closely Monitoring Avian Flu Cases

The Centre for Health Protection's latest update, issued July 3, said 50 suspected human cases have been received since March 31.

HSE Alarmed by Elevator Dismantling Shortcuts

Recent investigations, including of some fatalities, suggest poor work practices are common during dismantling or demolition operations, according to the agency.

AIR Updates Earthquake Model for Japan

AIR Worldwide also validated damage functions for all four earthquake perils (shake, tsunami, liquefaction, fire following) against individual claims from the Great Tohoku quake and found wood construction is more vulnerable than previously considered.

WHO Launches Chemical Risk Assessment Network

"Enhanced global efforts are needed to share expertise, to assess, and to manage the risks associated with exposure to hazardous chemicals," according to the agency.

Salvors Confirm: Costa Concordia Upright by Early September

Engineers from the joint venture hired to refloat the cruise ship updated the mayor and residents of the island of Giglio on June 25.



Civil-Military Aviation Safety Cooperation Agreements Signed

At the 50th International Paris Air Show last week, the chief executive of the European Defence Agency signed agreements with EUROCONTROL and the European Aviation Safety Agency for enhanced cooperation.

WHO Report Documents Scope of Violence Against Women

It says 35 percent of all women worldwide will experience intimate partner or non-partner violence, calling it a major contributor to women's mental health problems.

OSHA, Canadian Health Department Agree to Align HazCom Standards

OSHA Assistant Secretary Dr. David Michaels and Suzy McDonald of the Department of Health of Canada are scheduled to sign a memorandum of understanding June 19.

A Big Day for Water Safety

The World's Largest Swimming Lesson™ takes place June 18 with organizers predicting it will set another Guinness World Record.

EU Aviation Getting Safer

The 2012 annual safety review from the European Aviation Safety Agency shows fewer fatal accidents involving helicopters and general aviation aircraft that the year before.

France Recalls Deficient Smoke Detector

The Chick-a-Dee brand detectors are insufficiently sensitive to smoke and alarm at too low a volume.

London Firefighters Make Theme Park Rescue

They helped 39 people down after the Rameses Revenge ride at the Chessington World of Adventure stopped with the children and adults 12 feet above a walkway.

HSE Reminds Fixed Gas Detector Users to Revisit Alarm Settings

A new document from Britain's OSHA agency says setting alarm points "should not be 'fit and forget'" because initial alarm set-points may be adjusted up or down due to process-related events and instrument characteristics.

MMWR Reports on Rubella Epidemic in Japan

Most of the 5,442 cases reported from Jan. 1 to May 1, 2013, are unvaccinated adult males.

Dow Corning Plant in China Wins NFPA Award

The Dow Corning Co. Ltd. Songjiang plant in Shanghai was honored for a "Have 2 Ways Out" training initiative, which included drills, posters, banners and online materials during Fire Prevention Week.

Plan for Reducing UK Waste Handling Deaths Released

"We wanted this to be a sort of road map to healthier and safer industry – something that lets anyone in waste and recycling join us on a journey. There’s a long road ahead, but we're off in the right direction," said WISH Chair Chris Jones.

Ornge Flying Sikorskys Again After May 31 Crash

The company announced June 4 that it had returned its Sikorsky S76 helicopters to service.

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