Yesterday marked the official end of the 2009 Atlantic Hurricane season which ran from June 1st to November 30th. Although it was a quiet season along the Atlantic coast, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), in a press statement, continues to urge citizens across the country to stay prepared, as disasters are not limited to hurricanes or a specific time of year — they can occur anytime, anywhere.
NIOSH is soliciting public comments on a proposed project to assess the current and future professional occupational safety and health workforce, according to a notice published in the Federal Register.
According to a recent American Society of Safety Engineers’ (ASSE) webcast “Sustainability: An Emerging Force in Business & Its Impact Upon the Safety Profession” presented by Kathy A. Seabrook, CSP, CMIOSH (UK), safety and health are considered by many companies to be integral to their organizations’ corporate social responsibility (CSR) and sustainability plans.
Verizon Wireless has agreed to pay a $468,600 civil penalty to settle self-disclosed violations of federal environmental regulations discovered at 655 facilities in 42 states, according to an EPA press release.
OSHA has cited Atlas Excavating Inc. in West Lafayette, Ind., with two alleged willful violations for failing to follow federal workplace safety standards at a trenching operation in Danville. Proposed penalties total $130,200, according to an agency press release.
OSHA in October announced its largest proposed penalty ever — $87,430,000 in proposed penalties to BP Products North America Inc. for the company’s failure to correct potential hazards faced by employees.
Days before the 25th anniversary of the Bhopal chemical disaster, a new report released by the Bhopal Medical Appeal (BMA) and the local Sambhavna clinic demonstrates that there are still high levels of toxic chemicals in the drinking water supply in 15 communities near the old Union Carbide pesticide plant, according to a press release issued by the International Campaign For Justice In Bhopal.
The recently released MIT Sloan Management Review study showed that while most companies (92%) are addressing sustainability in some way, most companies don't have a clear idea of where to start. Those who do pursue sustainability aggressively, however, are seeing positive effects on their bottom line.
EPA has awarded a total of $800,000 to five state government agencies to support state efforts to work with communities to address environmental and public health issues, such as childhood lead poisoning and exposure to air pollution. The funding will help address concerns in communities disproportionately exposed to environmental risks, according to an agency press statement.