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Maryland-Based Insurer Announces Moves to Address Opioids Crisis

"The impact of opioids in the region we serve has been well documented," CareFirst President and Chief Executive Officer Chet Burrell said. "As the region's largest health insurer and one with a unique community mission, we want to take a comprehensive approach to address the opioid crisis for the greater community."

This screen shot is from underwater video of the sunken El Faro, discovered in 15,000 feet of water off the Bahamas in October 2015 after it sank during Hurricane Joaquin. (NTSB video)

El Faro's Captain, Owner Faulted by NTSB

He could have steered the ship away from the hurricane, the safety board found, and it concluded poor oversight and an inadequate safety management system of the ship's operator, TOTE, contributed to the sinking, which killed 33 crew members.

FAA Issues Laser Holiday Lights Reminder

"If you’re going to install a holiday laser-light system, please make sure the lights are hitting your house and not shining up into the sky. It may not look like the lights go much farther than your house, but the extremely concentrated beams of laser lights actually reach much further than most people think," FAA says.



Senate HELP Executive Session Set on OSHA Nominee

The U.S. Senate Health, Labor, Education & Pensions Committee has scheduled a Dec. 13 executive session to consider the nomination of Scott Mugno to be assistant secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health, the head of OSHA, and five other nominees.

Quad Bike Safety Review Under Way in Australia

ACCC's Issues Paper notes that quad bikes, which are four-wheeled all-terrain vehicles, are heavily used in Australia's forestry and agricultural industries. From Jan. 1, 2011, to Oct. 16, 2017, there were 114 deaths nationwide associated with quad bikes, including 10 so far in 2017, it says.

While 80 percent of cases were classified as low severity, 18 percent were moderate severity, and 1 percent were high severity. Two workers died.

Oregon OSHA Extends Comment Period on Worker Protection Standard Rules

The proposed rules would set restrictions for use of outdoor production pesticide applications when workers or other people are adjacent to the application location and are intended to prevent contamination of employee housing and related agricultural structures from pesticide spray drift.

4,500 Portable Generators Recalled

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled generators and contact MWE Investments to arrange for a free repair. The firm has received four reports of the recalled generators overheating and catching fire, but no injuries have been reported.

NTSB Member Dinh-Zarr Touts Lower BAC Laws

Her Dec. 11 blog post asks employers to support lowering the illegal BAC to .05 (g/dL) or lower and implementing primary seat belt laws in their communities they serve.

FDA Launches "Every Try Counts" Smoking Cessation Campaign

FDA Launches 'Every Try Counts' Smoking Cessation Campaign

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced Dec. 11 the 'Every Try Counts' campaign, an adult smoking cessation education campaign aimed at encouraging cigarette smokers to quit through messages of support that stress the health benefits of quitting.

Resources Help New York State Employers Prep for Paid Leave

Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed this into law in 2016. Nearly all private employees in New York State will be eligible for paid family leave starting Jan. 1.

Cal/OSHA Issues Advisory on Protecting Workers from Wildfire Smoke

The notice says approved respiratory protective equipment is necessary for employees working in outdoor locations designated by local air quality management districts as "Very Unhealthy," "Unhealthy," or "Hazardous."

First Grenfell Tower Procedural Hearing Under Way

The Dec. 11-12 hearing will be streamed live on the Inquiry's website.

Narrow Escape in Tree Felling Brings $32,000 Fine

The company, the F.A. Bartlett Tree Expert Company Limited, was carrying out the job on Aug. 1, 2016, when the 82-foot poplar tree was dropped in the wrong direction, hitting two vehicles and narrowly missing two members of the public.

DHS Creates Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office

The DHS Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office will streamline DHS efforts to prevent terrorists and other national security threat actors from using harmful agents, such as chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear material and devices, to harm Americans and U.S. interests.

BSEE Issues Safety Alert After Drillship Fatality

The alert recommends that all operators and drilling contractors working in the Gulf review their facilities' hazardous areas and associated safe work practices.

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