2011 NSC Congress & Expo

The National Safety Council (NSC) Congress & Expo is the world's largest annual safety event serving the environmental, health and safety professions. It provides an opportunity for safety professionals of all experience levels to share ideas, trends and best practices to propel their organization forward. The 2011 NSC Congress will be held on October 30- November 4, 2011 and the Expo will be held on October 31- November 2, 2011 in Philadelphia, PA.  

Conference website

2012 NSC Texas Safety Conference & Expo 

The National Safety Council Texas Safety Conference and Expo (NSC TSCE) provides an opportunity to share the latest developments in safety issues, trends and best practices. The 2012 Conference will be held from March 18-20, 2012 in Galveston, TX.  

Conference website

 

Toshiba America Foundation: Grants for Science and Math Education
Toshiba America Foundation Grants aim to contribute to the quality of science and mathematics education in U.S. communities by investing in projects designed by classroom teachers to improve science and mathematics education. Maximum award: $1,000. Eligibility: teachers K-12. Deadline: October 1, 2011.
http://www.toshiba.com/taf/k5.jsp

811

...breaking through a natural gas line can result in an explosion that could prove fatal.

...If homeowners are going to dig a hole or ditch more than a foot deep anywhere on their property, they must call 8-1-1 a full two days ahead of time. Utility crews will then arrive at the site and mark, through various colored spray paint lines, the location of underground utilities.
It's a shared responsibility – from homeowners and contractors to excavators and utility providers – to ensure that services are not disrupted and people are safe. That's why it's essential that you call before you dig. 

--  For safety of all, everyone should heed `call before you dig' August 25, 2011 http://www.theolympian.com/2011/08/25/1772400/for-safety-of-all-everyone-should.html
 

Back to School: Check up on Science Lab Safety

Potentially explosive chemicals at Fort Lauderdale school briefly close Federal Highway 

Linda Trischitta, Sun Sentinel

August 12, 2011

Sun Sentinel/Linda Trischitta

Traffic flow on South Federal Highway was briefly blocked in both directions Friday morning between Davie Boulevard and Southeast Seventh Street while Fort Lauderdale's bomb squad, HazMat team, fire rescue and police worked to dispose of potentially volatile chemicals found at a private school.

The roadblock was removed at 11:30 a.m.

Administrators at Bethany Christian School, 615 SE Ninth St., were preparing for the coming school year when a teacher discovered a quantity of ammonium nitrate from a science lab and said it appeared to be crystallized.

"It being crystallized would make it dangerous and means it was contaminated with another chemical that could make it explosive," Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue spokesman Matt Little said. "It could have a blast radius of 150 feet."    

Read More. . . 

NSTA: Distinguished Fellow Award
The National Science Teachers Association Distinguished Fellow Award recognizes NSTA members who have made extraordinary contributions to science education through personal commitment to education, specifically science teaching or science; educational endeavors and original work that position recipients as exemplary leaders in their field; or significant contributions to the profession that reflect dedication to the NSTA as well the entire educational community. Maximum award: recognition at the NSTA Awards Banquet in conjunction with the NSTA National Conference. Eligibility: longstanding (at least 10 years) NSTA members. Deadline: November 30, 2010.
http://www.nsta.org/about/awards.aspx#fellow

“How deep does the culture go where nobody says anything, even when they know they should?’’ 

State transportation officials must stress safety, transparency Jul 14, 2011 http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/editorials/articles/2011/07/14/state_transportation_officials_must_stress_safety_transparency/?s_campaign=8315  

...Mullan and Patrick both took issue with comments by Helmut Ernst, a high-level engineer for the department who maintained that engineers have been trained not to write safety problems down, because written records can be used in lawsuits. Any such mindset is totally unacceptable - particularly in light of Mullan’s stated commitment to transparency. But it’s fair to assume that Ernst, who was later placed on unpaid leave, was accurately describing how many in the department feel. As a consultant asked in an internal report, “How deep does the culture go where nobody says anything, even when they know they should?’’