Fire/Emergency Response News
CSB Issues Safety Bulletin on Hazards of Welding, Hot Work
A new safety bulletin issued by the U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) warns of hot work hazards and identifies seven key lessons aimed at preventing worker deaths during hot work in and around storage tanks containing flammable materials...
CSB Sheds Light on Fatal Kleen Energy Explosion, Highlights Gas Blow Hazards
In a Feb. 25 statement, U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) Lead Investigator Don Holmstrom said the fatal Feb. 7 explosion at the Kleen Energy Plant in Middletown, Conn., occurred during a planned gas blow. He expressed broader safety concerns over natural gas power plants venting gas near worksites, a practice he called “inherently unsafe.”...
Survey: Improved Chemical Security Makes Millions Safer
A new survey by the Center for American Progress identified 554 drinking water and wastewater plants in 47 states that have replaced extremely hazardous substances with safer and more secure chemicals or processes...
Mass Notification Systems: A Useful Tool during Pandemic Response
The recent H1N1 flu pandemic clearly demonstrates why health facility administrators must prepare their responses to large-scale public health emergencies using every tool available. There is much at stake...
Exposure to World Trade Center Dust, Fumes May Lead to Headaches Years Later
Workers and residents exposed to dust and fumes caused by the collapse of the World Trade Center on Sept.11, 2001, frequently reported headache years later, according to new research...
FEMA Releases Draft National Disaster Recovery Framework
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
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
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
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...
Chemical Emergencies: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow
Don’t kid yourself. Just because we don’t hear about Bhopal-sized chemical releases doesn’t mean our workplaces are safe from chemical emergencies...
Chemical Safety Board Initiates Investigation of DuPont Facility in Belle, W.Va.
The U.S. Chemical Safety and Accident Investigation Board (CSB) voted to initiate an investigation of recent accidents at the DuPont chemical complex in Belle, W.Va., following a release of highly toxic phosgene on Jan. 23 that fatally injured a veteran operator...
CSB Investigates Lab Explosion at Texas Tech University
The U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) recently announced it will investigate the causes of a Jan. 7 explosion that severely injured a graduate student at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas...
ISEA Announces Updated Standard for High-Vis Safety Apparel
An updated national consensus standard for high-visibility safety apparel from the International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA) now includes service-life guidelines and provides criteria and test requirements for garments marked as flame- or water-resistant...
Fire Fighters Applaud Bill Banning Hazardous Flame Retardant
The International Association of Fire Fighters applauded Rep. Chellie Pingree (D- ME) for introducing a bill to ban decabromine, a flame retardant. Pingree’s bill coincided with an announcement by EPA on a scheduled withdrawal of decabromine from the domestic marketplace...
Federal And State Agencies Plan To Rebuild Public Facilities Smarter
Future storm damage is less likely to occur when the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management (ADEM) join forces and provide extra funding to mitigate public facilities so that they are better prepared to face and withstand impending disasters...
New OSHA Videos Offer Respirator, Facemask Safety Guidance
OSHA has developed two new videos for health care workers that feature training and guidance on respirator safety...
Symposium Puts Focus on War Injuries
A new paper summarizing the findings of the fourth annual Extremity War Injuries Symposium examines the challenges faced by U.S. medical personnel working in Iraq and Afghanistan and considers ways to synergize resources and improve care for wounded warriors...
H1N1: Spreading the Message
As EHS professionals, what steps should you take to deal with the H1N1 virus, and what should you be doing to plan for future pandemics...
What You Need to Know about Dust Explosions and Your Facility, Part 2
This two-part series examines the causes of dust explosions, their devastating impact and the measures suggested by OSHA, the National Fire Protection Agency and the Chemical Safety and Hazard Review Board to eliminate them...
2009 Holiday Safety: Top Holiday Hazards
It is common knowledge that more accidents occur during the holiday season than any other time of the year. The best way to prevent an injury is to learn the most common reasons that bring a person into the ER...
2009 Holiday Safety: Cooking Safety Tips
Safety in the kitchen will save a perfect holiday dinner from ending with the fire department hosing down your Christmas ham...
First Responders and Emotional Distress
Professional first responders are prepared, equipped and trained to handle various emergency situations, from car accidents to terrorist attacks and other major disasters. This great responsibility, however, can trigger emotional distress...
CSB Issues Urgent Safety Recommendations Following CITGO Refinery Accident
On Dec. 9, the U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) issued urgent safety recommendations calling on CITGO Petroleum Corp. to conduct third-party safety audits and improve its emergency water mitigation system in the event of another release of potentially deadly hydrogen fluoride (HF) vapor, as occurred last July at the company’s Corpus Christi, Texas, refinery...
Coalition Calls for Improved Chemical Plant Safety
Corresponding with the 25th anniversary of the Bhopal, India, disaster, a coalition of labor and environment groups called for increased safety at U.S. chemical plants through improved processes and reduced onsite hazardous chemical storage...
OSHA Releases Guidance on Training, PPE for EMS Responders
OSHA issued the guidance document Best Practices for Protecting EMS Responders During Treatment and Transport of Victims of Hazardous Substance Releases to address adequate training and PPE for emergency medical services responders who assist victims of hazardous substance release incidents...
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