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IMO Pushes for Ratification of Cape Town Agreement

IMO said this key instrument applicable to fishing vessels is still not in force. This means there are no mandatory international requirements for stability and seaworthiness, life-saving appliances, communications equipment, or fire protection, as well as fishing vessel construction.

Alaska Governor Releases Public Safety Action Plan

Gov. Bill Walker's plan aims to stem rising crime in the state and includes steps to address the opioid epidemic and drug trafficking.

Record Tonnage Moved Through Panama Canal in FY2017

A total of 13,548 vessels passed through the canal during the fiscal year, representing a 3.3 percent increase from the year before. The fact that larger Neopanamax vessels now can transit the canal made the 22 percent growth in tonnage possible.



MMWR: Fentanyl Found in Most OD Victims in 10 States

The report showed almost 3,000 of the people who died of overdoses in 10 states during the second half of 2016 tested positive for fentanyl and more than 700 tested positive for drugs that have similar chemical structures to fentanyl, known as fentanyl analogs.

FedEx's Mugno Nominated to Lead OSHA

Scott A. Mugno is vice president for Safety, Sustainability and Vehicle Maintenance at FedEx Ground in Pittsburgh, Pa.

California Medical Provider Suspensions Up to 52

The most recent suspensions involve a provider who had pleaded guilty to health care fraud and illegal kickbacks, one whose medical license was suspended in New Mexico after he was charged with sexual assault of a patient, and one who pleaded no contest to grand theft from the California Health Care Deposit Fund, according to the Department of Industrial Relations announcement.

Australian Serious Comp Claim Costs Rose 30 Percent in 2016

The newly released statistics for 2015-2016 show that the median paid for a serious claim, adjusted for inflation, was up 30 percent to $6,800 and the median amount of time lost was up 33 percent to 5.6 weeks.

DOT, Maryland Partner to Boost Uptake of Recall Messages

Only about 70 percent of recalled vehicles are in fact repaired, and raising recall remedy rates is a priority for NHTSA, especially because the Takata airbag recall has affected as many as one-third of vehicles nationwide.

19,000 Arctic Cat Off-Road Vehicles Recalled

Arctic Cat has received 444 reports of the plastic panels behind the operator and passenger seats melting, with five resulting in fires. No injuries have been reported.

FEMA Expresses Concern About Puerto Rico Power Restoration Contract

"Based on initial review and information from PREPA, FEMA has significant concerns with how PREPA procured this contract and has not confirmed whether the contract prices are reasonable. FEMA is presently engaged with PREPA and its legal counsel to obtain information about the contract and contracting process, including how the contract was procured and how PREPA determined the contract prices were reasonable," FEMA said in a statement Oct. 27.

DOE Site Celebrates VPP Honors

The Department of Energy's Y‑12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge, Tenn., is having a good month, as employees celebrated receiving its Voluntary Protection Program recertification from DOE at the Star level -- the site has held that since 2012 -- and also being presented NA-50 Excellence Awards.

Maryland Agency Will Deploy Smart Traffic Signals

The system uses real-time traffic conditions and computer software that adjusts the timing of traffic signals, synchronizes the entire corridor, and effectively deploys artificial intelligence to keep traffic moving.

OSHA Now Fully Enforcing Construction Silica Standard

A memo issued Oct. 19 says as of Oct. 23, 2017, the agency is fully enforcing “all appropriate provisions” of the standard.

Trump Announces Actions on Opioids Crisis

The president on Oct. 26 declared a National Public Health Emergency and outlined several actions his administration is taking and will take to address the opioids crisis, including new requirements from the Food and Drug Administration on the manufacturers of prescription opioids to help reverse over-prescribing.

Materials' Cost Increases Account for Spike in Proposed Bridge Rebuilding: BLS

Concrete, reinforced concrete, structural steel, granite, and asphalt paving material all have appreciated in price by at least 2,518 percent since the bridge was built, while labor costs for cement masons and other workers have risen by anywhere from 1,187 percent to 2,165 percent during the same time, the BLS analysis shows.

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