Public safety - Articles - Page 6

Natural gas from Kentucky pipeline rupture ignited, killing one

October 9, 2019

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released details about a deadly gas pipeline rupture that occurred in August in Lincoln County, Kentucky. The rupture in the 30-inch-diameter natural gas transmission pipeline, which was owned and operated by Enbridge Inc., released about 66 million cubic feet of natural gas - which ignited.

After 20-fatality limo crash, NTSB wants national standards

October 4, 2019

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is calling for new national requirements for seating and seat belt systems on limousines, citing evidence gathered in investigations of accidents in three states, including the October 18 crash of a stretch limousine in Schoharie, New York, that killed the driver, 17 passengers and two pedestrians.

California fights wildfires with new laws

October 3, 2019

California Governor Gavin Newsom yesterday signed into law nearly 22 measures aimed at preventing and fighting wildfires, which have caused tremendous damage and loss of life in the state in recent years. The bills were based on key recommendations from a state task force.

Is Uber’s driver screening process effective?

October 1, 2019

In the wake of highly publicized incidents involving Uber drivers who physically, verbally or sexually assaulted their passengers, the ride-sharing company is sending out emails touting its background screening process. According to the company, which operates in many cities around the world; “Everyone who drives with Uber is screened before their first trip, and on an ongoing basis.”

Risk management failure at root of fatal train crash

Two employees killed, dozens of people injured

October 1, 2019

A collision last year in South Carolina between an Amtrak passenger train and a CSX freight train was caused by CSX Transportation Corporation’s failure to assess and mitigate a specific risk, according to a National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigation. The incident killed two employees and injured 91 passengers and crewmembers.

FAA pledges transparency in Boeing 737 Max actions

September 27, 2019

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is promising to share information about its efforts to ensure that proposed changes to the automated flight control system on the 737 MAX meet certification standards. The aircraft was taken out of service since the March 13, the second of two fatal crashes in Indonesia and Ethiopia that killed 346 people.

California chem companies violated chemical safety reg

September 26, 2019

U.S. EPA requires eight California facilities to improve chemical safety Eight industrial facilities in California have reached a settlement with the EPA after the agency found they violated the federal Clean Air Act’s Chemical Accident Prevention regulations. EPA inspectors determined that the companies failed to: review and update facility Risk Management Plans; design and maintain safe facilities...

A NIOSH Science Blog post

Small business international travel: NIOSH has you covered

Margaret M. Kitt

September 25, 2019

Your company just landed a business deal overseas. It’s an exciting opportunity for the company and for your employees. But you are a small company with limited resources. What are the next steps for international business travel? Travel visas, vaccinations, import restrictions. How do you ensure your employees’ safe and healthy travel?

Testing for carbon monoxide in the home

Elizabeth Ortlieb

September 18, 2019

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a highly toxic, lighter than air gas which is most often found in an area surrounding a combustion source (e.g., a furnace, boiler or space heater) where there is insufficient oxygen to allow for complete combustion of fuel in use. Deemed the “silent killer” because it is colorless, odorless, tasteless, and non-irritating, carbon monoxide is virtually impossible to detect without testing.

FAA: Company that sells airplane parts faked airworthiness documents

A "serious risk to the flying public”

September 17, 2019

It’s probably something you don’t want to think about when you board a plane: whether or not the aircraft you’re traveling in is mechanically sound. The Federal Aviation Administration has leveled a half million dollar fine against a company it said deliberately falsified documents attesting to the airworthiness of the ball bearings it was selling.