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The impairment argument is incredibly complex. Many employers use the term in workplace drug and alcohol policies but this may not be the most prudent choice as marijuana impairment cannot necessarily be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

DOJ Aims to Enforce Marijuana Laws

This reverses an Obama administration policy easing federal enforcement in the many states that have legalized either medical or recreational marijuana, but how this new policy will be carried out in the states was not immediately made clear.

PA Agency Urges Periodic Home Radon Testing

DEP said someone who does not want to use a do-it-yourself test kit should consider hiring a qualified radon professional to conduct a test.

FirstNet Outlines 2018 Milestones

"America's first responders now have a nationwide interoperable network they can rely on 24/7/365 – like their mission," said First Responder Network Authority CEO Mike Poth. "I applaud these governors for their decision and congratulate public safety for its advocacy and partnership throughout the process."



NC Fire Marshal's Office Creates Investigative Unit

The new Fire Investigations Unit will respond on request or assist agencies in investigating all fire deaths, any death in a multi-family dwelling from carbon monoxide poisoning, fire loss in all state properties, and fire losses larger than $500,000.

Subterranean Challenge Proposers Day Set for Jan. 18

Teams are invited to propose novel methods for tackling time-critical scenarios through unknown courses in mapping subsurface networks and unpredictable conditions that are too hazardous for human first responders.

2017 AFG Application Period Under Way

Since 2001, AFG grants have helped firefighters and other first responders obtain equipment, protective gear, emergency vehicles, training, and other resources necessary for protecting the public and emergency personnel.

North Carolina DOT Hosting Drone Workshop Jan. 24

The Jan. 24 workshop in Gaston County will focus on the use of drones by public safety agencies such as police and fire departments, and it is open only to those in the public safety sector.

CSB Releasing Final Report on 2016 Kansas Chlorine Release

The release caused more than 140 people, both workers and members of the public, to seek treatment at area hospitals and resulted in shelter-in-place and evacuation orders for thousands of local residents.

$2.3 Million Settlement in Unprotected Health Records Case

21st Century Oncology, Inc. determined that 2,213,597 individuals were affected by impermissible access to their names, social security numbers, physicians' names, diagnoses, treatment, and insurance information.

Texas Company Issues Propane Recall

CPSC said no injuries have been reported, but its recall announcement said consumers should not attempt to test the propane themselves. The recalled propane may not contain sufficient levels of odorant to help alert consumers to a gas leak.

Citation Appealed in Washington State Amputation Case

The penalty for the repeat-serious lockout/tagout violation was $52,800; L&I has cited the employer four times in three years for similar violations, with three of them involving a finger amputation.

Beyond identifying and alerting workers about the presence of gases, consider whether data logging features are important to daily operations. (Draeger photo)

From Sensors to Data Logging

Most devices with data logging retain monitoring information whenever they are turned on. This can provide use snapshots of conditions at the time of an accident or unusual event.

Specifications usually state that a harness can be used for a period of 10 years, if inspected annually. But is mere visual inspection really enough? (Honeywell Industrial Safety/Miller Fall Protection photo)

Safe Steps for Working at Height

Regulatory compliance or short-term thinking alone is clearly not enough to truly ensure workers are kept safe and to avoid serious accidents.

A Year of Disasters, Delays, and Debate

It's easy to identify the biggest safety stories of 2017—they involve the year's repeated disasters.

What are you focusing on, and how will your approach in the next year get you greater results? These are real questions to consider if your goal is to drive processes that mitigate risk sustainably.

Your Year-End Safety Celebration Could Be Hiding Risk

We can't use lagging indicators—counting what has already happened—to evaluate our exposure to risk accurately.

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