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FEMA Releases Draft National Disaster Recovery Framework

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 10:54:00 EST

The Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), in coordination with the interagency Long Term Disaster Recovery Working Group, has issued a draft of the National Disaster Recovery Framework. The framework focuses on engaging state, local and tribal governments, nonprofit partners, the private sector and the public to enhance the nation’s ability to recovery from disasters.

U.S. Fire Administrator Attends WMD Incident Command Course

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 10:43:00 EST

U.S. Fire Administrator Kelvin J. Cochran attended the Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) Incident Command: Capabilities, Planning and Response Actions (IC) course at the Center for Domestic Preparedness (CDP) on Feb. 1-3. The course focuses community planning towards the preparedness effort in response to a chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, explosive (CBRNE) event. Cochran attended the course to refresh his training and skills and to share his 30 years of knowledge as an emergency responder.

USFA Releases Hotel and Motel Fires Topical Report

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 10:33:00 EST

The Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has issued a special report, part of its Topical Fire Report Series, examining the causes and characteristics of fires in hotels and motels.

At Least 5 Dead in Connecticut Power Plant Explosion

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 11:43:00 EST

At least five workers are dead and two dozen injured following a Feb. 7 explosion at Kleen Energy Plant in Middletown, Conn. Media reports indicate up to five additional people may still be missing.

VPPPA: Despite Budget Concerns, VPP Will Continue to Thrive

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 13:52:00 EST

Following the release of the OSHA FY 2011 budget request, which proposes reduced funding for compliance assistance programs, the Voluntary Protection Programs Participants’ Association Inc. (VPPPA) produced a video message stressing that the Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP) will continue to thrive even as the agency’s focus turns to enforcement.

ATA: Current Hours-of-Service Rules Improve Safety

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 13:38:00 EST

On Jan. 28, representatives from affiliates and member companies of the American Trucking Associations (ATA) and other trucking industry speakers told the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) that declining fatality and crash numbers show that safety has improved under current hours-of-service (HOS) rules.

Feb 1-5 is Clean Energy Week

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 14:01:00 EST

Nearly 100 organizations in the renewable energy, energy efficiency and environmental arenas joined forces to turn February 1-5 into Clean Energy Week, an initiative advocating for comprehensive clean energy legislation, including provisions for energy efficiency, renewable efficiency and climate solutions.

NIOSH Releases Spanish-Language Construction Ergonomics Guide

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 13:46:00 EST

NIOSH recently released a Spanish-language guide to help employers and workers effectively prevent job-related musculoskeletal injuries in the construction industry.

New OSHA QuickCards Address Marine Cargo Handling Operations

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 13:31:00 EST

OSHA recently developed three QuickCards addressing worker safety topics in Marine cargo handling operations. These pocket-sized, laminated cards are designed to provide brief, easy-to-understand safety and health information for workers.

Top Three Myths about Workplace Injuries

Tue, 02 Feb 2010 14:35:00 EST

How many times have you heard people saying something completely ridiculous or that you know just isn’t right? You don’t have to go very far these days to encounter such statements.

ASSE Announces its Top Legislative and Regulatory Issues for 2010

Tue, 02 Feb 2010 14:25:00 EST

The American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) says that 12 key issues will dominate announced its legislative and regulatory agenda for 2010, which is aimed at ensuring that advances in occupational safety and health legislation and regulation reflect the experience, expertise and best practices of ASSE’s member environment, health and safety (EHS) professionals.

EPA’s Budget Seeks Increased Environmental Protection

Tue, 02 Feb 2010 14:15:00 EST

The Obama administration proposed a budget of $10 billion for EPA that includes $1.3 billion for cleanup of Superfund sites, $215 million for cleanup of brownfields and $27 million for the agency’s new Healthy Community Initiative.

DOL 2011 Budget Request Includes OSHA Increase, Focus on Enforcement

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 16:21:00 EST

On Feb. 1, Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis outlined President Obama’s FY 2011 budget request for the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), which is built around the vision of “good jobs for everyone” and includes a $14 million proposed increase for OSHA.

ASSE Works to Align Safety with Green Initiatives

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 15:01:00 EST

As businesses, schools and communities go green, American Society of Safety Engineers’ (ASSE) occupational safety and health professional members are working with their organizations to incorporate safety practices in line with green initiatives.

Study: Workers’ Comp Patients Get Less Benefit from Back Surgery

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 14:47:00 EST

According to a new study, surgery provides better results than non-surgical treatment for most patients with back pain related to a herniated disk – but not for those receiving workers’ compensation for work-related injuries.