February 24, 2015

MAKING THE MORAL CASE FOR SAFETY

OSHA Whistleblower Investigator Blows Whistle on Own Agency

Employee says the federal whistleblower program isn't protecting whistleblowers or the public.
“I want that pilot to know everything they need to know,” said Stookey, “so everyone aboard that aircraft can safely get to their destination and see their families that night.”  
See story at: http://www.nbcbayarea.com/investigations/OSHA-Whistleblower-Investigator-Blows-Whistle-on-Own-Agency--293711041.html

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EG: Are whistleblowers trouble makers or heroes?

February 20, 2015

‘Midnight Rider’ Accident Still Resonates One Year Later  
http://variety.com/2015/biz/news/midnight-rider-accident-still-resonates-one-year-later-1201435528/

Family and friends of Sarah Jones are calling for a moment of silence on Feb. 20, on movie sets, work locations and elsewhere in the industry. That is the date, one year ago, when Jones was killed, and eight others injured, as the crew of “Midnight Rider” scrambled to get out of the way of a train speeding through their shooting location near Jesup, Ga. While there have been dozens of serious accidents on film sets over the past 20 years, often with calls for safety fading over ensuing months, Jones’ death triggered a massive outpouring of anger, frustration and protest — raising an awareness of on-set safety that has endured.

Read full article: Variety, February 18, 2015 http://variety.com/2015/biz/news/midnight-rider-accident-still-resonates-one-year-later-1201435528/

February 19, 2015

Indoor Air Quality Plus Energy Efficiency: A Formula for Saving Money While Protecting Health
IAQ Master Class series
 

Thursday, March 12, 2015, 1:00–2:00 p.m. EDT Followed by a live mentoring and Q&A session, 2:00–2:30 p.m. EDT


Participants will learn how to —


Featured IAQ Experts from the SHIELD Network

  • Kudret Ütebay, The Cadmus Group
  • Bill Orr, Collaborative for High Performance Schools (CHPS)
  • Model School District (to be announced)

Register today to learn more about how effectively managing IAQ in schools can contribute to a healthier learning environment, improved academic performance, and more efficiently performing facilities.

February 10, 2015

Safety Exercises to Mark the 4th Anniversary of Deadly 2011 Gas ExplosionWFMZ Allentown.
Four years ago Monday, a gas explosion rocked the city of Allentown killing several people.

Read more from WFMZ.com at: http://www.wfmz.com/news/news-regional-lehighvalley/anniversary-of-deadly-gas-explosion-in-2011/31185272
Connect with us... Facebook/69WFMZ or @69News

Read more from WFMZ.com at: http://www.wfmz.com/news/news-regional-lehighvalley/anniversary-of-deadly-gas-explosion-in-2011/31185272
Connect with us... Facebook/69WFMZ or @69News
February 10 is the four year anniversary of the 2011 Allentown gas explosion that killed five people, ranging in ages from 4 months to 79 years old...

Officials said the blast was caused by a crack in an old UGI cast iron pipe.

A spokesman for the utility company said safety exercises were conducted Monday to mark the four year anniversary of the Allentown explosion.

Photo Gallery http://www.mcall.com/news/breaking/mc-pictures-4-years-ago-the-13th-and-allen-gas-explosion-20150210-photogallery.html


The Honorable Ed Pawlowski, Mayor, Allentown PAOne Year Later – What has the Public Learned from the San Bruno Tragedy? Pipeline Safety Trust Annual Conference 2011. Following the 2011 Allentown Explosion, Mayor Pawlowski’s explains the need for regulations to require safety measures such as regular inspections, remote shutoff valves, and other protections to prevent leaks and explosions in the nation’s aging infrastructure such as Allentown's 120 year old gas distribution pipelines.
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The Need for a Mayors’ Council on Pipeline Safety, Ed Pawlowski, Mayor, Allentown, PA (pdf, 6.9MB) http://pstrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/pipeline-safetyII.pdf
Mayor's Council on Pipeline Safety http://www.mayorspipeline.org/  MCPS is a national, bipartisan team of mayors, elected officials, fire chiefs, first responders, government, NGOs, educators and citizens.



February 06, 2015

Get Smart! Make Every Day Count.

The Indoor Air Quality Master Class Webinar Series

 WATCH NOW:
The Creating Healthy Indoor Environments in Schools: The Knowledge,Network and Actions You Need Sixteen IAQ Champions demonstrate how to start, improve and sustain an Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) management program using the proven approaches and strategies in EPA's Framework for Effective IAQ Management.  

The Making the Case for Environmental Health, Academic Performance and High-Performing Facilities webinar Hear about the most compelling and motivational evidence for Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) management in schools and what award-winning school districts are achieving, such as increased cost savings and improved student performance. 

AIA CEUs Now Available! To receive 1.5 Learning Units toward American Institute of Architects' (AIA) Health, Safety, and Welfare and Sustainable Design (HSW/SD) standards, please send your full name, AIA#, email address and the webinar topic to iaqschools@epa.gov.


February 02, 2015

Lessons Learned from three powerful gas transmission line explosions

What went wrong?

The National Transportation Safety Board said its investigation of three powerful gas transmission line explosions (near Sissonville, WV, Palm City, Florida, and San Bruno, California) exposed deficiencies with the pipeline companies' programs for ensuring their pipelines were safe and reliable.

1. Gas companies did not do inspections or tests to find pipeline weaknesses.

2. There was no automatic or remotely controlled shut off valves or a shut off valve failed to close.

3. There was a lack of coordination between federal-to-state and state-to-state inspectors.

4.  Some states have more pre-1970s pipelines than others so have higher risk and therefore need more expert inspectors and more thorough inspection methods.

Read: Editorial: Pipeline study highlights need for more oversight, Feb. 02, 2015, The Herald-Dispatch, herald-dispatch.com, Huntington, WV. http://www.herald-dispatch.com/opinions/x984739799/Editorial-Pipeline-study-highlights-need-for-more-oversight