International Safety


DOL Opens ‘One-Stop’ Compliance Assistance Shop on Border

The new office will aim to connect employees, employers, and community-based organizations with the resources and assistance needed to ensure that workers in low-wage industries -- including laborers on federal construction and service contracts -- are paid fairly for all hours worked, DOL said.

Cherry Tse, JP, is Commissioner for Labour and in charge of the Hong Kong Labour Department.

Hong Kong Raises Compensation for Work Fatalities

For occupational deaths on or after Aug. 1, the minimum compensation to be paid to family members is $310,000 in Hong Kong dollars, which is equivalent to about $40,000 in U.S. dollars.

All five companies prosecuted in connection with the Dec. 11, 2005, explosion and fire at the Buncefield oil storage depot pleaded guilty or were found guilty by a jury.

Buncefield Defendants Fined $14.5 Million

The December 2005 explosion at the fuel storage depot in Hemel Hempstead, near London, is considered the most costly petrochemical accident ever in Britain, with an estimated total cost of almost $1.5 billion.

A new report predicts a global market for service bots will reach $38.42 billion within five years.

Report Predicts Rise of the Machines, Especially in Service Industries

Shortages and the exorbitantly high cost of labor for risky jobs such as mining, skyscraper construction, and rescue operations, among others, present a perfect opportunity for service robots to replace human personnel, says the report, which estimates a global bot market of $38.42 billion by 2015.

Airbus Unit Certified to Business Continuity Management Standard

This demonstrates the company has "effective processes in place to minimize exposure during external disruptive events," says the company's head of facility management.

3M Acquires British Protective Clothing Maker

Dailys Ltd. was founded in 1993 and has grown significantly. It makes non-woven disposable clothing, mainly chemical protective coveralls, that bears the CE mark and conforms to EU Dir. 89/656/EEC - Use of PPE in the Workplace.

DHS announced a new national information-sharing partnership with Amtrak as part of the Nationwide Suspicious Activity Reporting Initiative.

DHS Launches 'See Something, Say Something' Campaign

"Implementing a national suspicious activity reporting partnership with Amtrak and expanding the 'See Something, Say Something' campaign strengthens our ability to guard against terrorism and crime," said Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano.

Taken May 27, 2010, this NASA photo by Tony Landis shows the unmanned Global Hawk aircraft in flight.

Light Jets, UAVs Need Collision Avoidance Systems: Eurocontrol

Two studies commissioned by the Brussels coordinator of air traffic control in Europe predict growth and potential conflict from unmanned aerial vehicles and say they need to be equipped with technology comparable to that of manned aircraft.



Britain Cutting Road Safety Spending

The road safety charity organization Brake, which is calling for the British government to adopt graduated driver licensing, disputes whether new statistics are accurate in showing a drop in deaths and serious injuries.

Agriculture, the most dangerous industry in Britain, recorded 38 worker deaths during 2009-2010.

New Low for Worker Deaths in Britain Last Year

The lowest number of fatalities on record for a full year, 151, was recorded in the year from April 1, 2009, to March 31, 2010, the Health and Safety Executive reported June 30.

CPSC Warns of Dangerous Counterfeit Electrical Products

Counterfeits can be extremely difficult to spot as it could be a knock-off of a name brand product or one that bears an unauthorized certification marking. CPSC offers the following tips to help avoid counterfeit hazards.

Ontario Proposes Rules for Offshore Wind Turbines

In May, the province's Chief Medical Officer of Health issued a report finding no adverse health effects or hearing damage associated with wind turbines. The proposed rules would keep them at least 5 kilometers from the shoreline.

Combustible dust fires are frequently precursor events to dust-related explosions, John Astad says. (NIST photo)

NIST Helps Create Two Transportation Safety Blast Standards

Specialists at the National Institute of Standards and Technology have helped create two new standards designed to increase safety in crowded mass transit centers by fortifying them against potential bomb threats.

About 3.2 million people in the United States are chronically infected with HCV and each year, about 17,000 people are newly infected.

FDA Approves Rapid Test for Antibodies to Hepatitis C Virus

The Food and Drug Administration has announced approval of the first rapid blood test for antibodies to the hepatitis C virus (HCV) for individuals aged 15 years and older. The OraQuick HCV Rapid Antibody Test is used to test individuals who are at risk for infection with HCV and people with signs or symptoms of hepatitis.

Irish Employers Given Safety Signs Update

The key change as outlined by the Health and Safety Authority of Ireland is separation of any explanatory text from the pictorial element in the sign.

New BOHS Website Debuts

The biggest society of occupational hygienists in Europe now offers a news scroller and more resources online.

Logo of the Society of Chemical Manufacturers and Affiliates, Inc.

Hot Ticket: 2010 Chemical Sector Security Summit

The July 7-8 event in Baltimore brings top DHS officials, including Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, together with leaders of the chemical industry to discuss security issues and solutions.

UK Quarries on Track Toward Zero Goal

Reportable injuries have plunged by 76 percent since the Hard Target campaign launched a decade ago. Health and Safety Executive Chair Judith Hackitt congratulated the industry and urged lowering injuries another 15 percent by 2015.

All five companies prosecuted in connection with the Dec. 11, 2005, explosion and fire at the Buncefield oil storage depot pleaded guilty or were found guilty by a jury.

Last Buncefield Defendant Found Guilty

All five companies prosecuted for the Dec. 11, 2005, explosion and fire at an oil storage depot in Hertfordshire, England, either pleaded guilty or were found guilty by a jury. Sentencing is set for July 16.

Canadian Experts Share H1N1 Pandemic's Lessons

A roundtable hosted by CSA Standards produced a whitepaper suggesting how to prepare for the next one, with emphasis on vaccine development and PPE.

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