Safety

NTSB Sunshine Meeting Underscores Need to Act

April 16, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, D.C.— This week’s National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) findings made clear that pilot fatigue persists as a significant aviation safety risk. Solutions must include changing corporate cultures so that they seek to partner with, not punish, airline pilots for expressing fatigue concerns.

Jet takeoff, Boston: Photo by Mark Leary (CC)    » read more »

April 15, 2008 -- Waterbury, VT – Drivers need to be alert and cautious because moose are on the move, according to the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department. Moose are more likely to be crossing roadways at this time, especially after dark or early in the morning as they move from wintering areas to spring feeding locations.

Moose: Photo by Steve Wall (CC)

More moose are hit by motorists in May and June than at any other time of the year. There is smaller peak of activity in September and October, the breeding season for moose.    » read more »

April 15, 2008 -- Lesson learned from Virginia Tech shooting one year ago must be put into practice in NC Raleigh: On the eve of the one-year anniversary of the deadliest school shooting in U.S. history, North Carolina Attorney General Roy Cooper today called on lawmakers to prohibit people who have been involuntarily committed from purchasing guns.

Spent 9mm shells, North Carolina: Photo by Carl M. (CC)    » read more »

IDOT to upgrade emergency phones and cameras at rest areas, statewide; will provide extra measure of security for motorists, traveling in Illinois

April 13, 2008 -- SPRINGFIELD – Illinois Governor Rod R. Blagojevich today announced upgrades are underway to security systems at Illinois rest areas.

Illinois highway: Photo by tlindenbaum (CC)

New security cameras and emergency phones will be installed at locations where they are needed, providing motorists added security when they stop at rest areas along interstate highways in Illinois.    » read more »

Judge Has Set May 27 and September 2 Trial Dates for Remaining Dealers in First and Second Lawsuits, Respectively

April 11, 2008 -- New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg today announced that five additional gun dealers named in the New York City lawsuits over illegal gun sales have agreed to settlements with the City, bringing the total number of settlements to twenty.

A gun store: Photo by Keary O. (CC)    » read more »

Water Patrol Helps Rescue Trapped Drivers in Southern Missouri

April 10, 2008 -- JEFFERSON CITY -- Missouri Governor Matt Blunt and the Department of Public Safety today urged drivers to be extra cautious and avoid flooded roads. The governor and public safety officials are also offering tips to help keep Missouri motorists safe.

A car washed away during a flood: Photo by Rick Keir (CC)

Gov. Blunt also commended the Missouri Water Patrol who assisted local authorities in rescuing trapped drivers on the Big Piney River this morning.    » read more »

Illnesses, injuries occur each year that can be prevented with better practices

April 9, 2008 -- While the vast majority of swimming pools in the state are operated safely, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) each year investigates a number of incidents involving pools where the public’s health and safety were put at risk.

A swimming woman: Photo by Gabriel (CC)

In the last nine months there have been nine reported serious incidents at Minnesota swimming pools or water parks, where people became ill, were injured or died.    » read more »

April 08, 2008 -- BELOIT – Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle today signed legislation requiring cigarettes sold in Wisconsin to be fire-safe. State legislators, firefighters, public health officials, and representatives of the tobacco industry joined Governor Doyle at the Beloit Fire Station for the signing.

Man lighting a cigarette: Photo by ores2k (CC)

“I am pleased to sign a bill that increases public safety by regulating tobacco,” Governor Doyle said. “This bill will ensure that smokers reduce the risk they pose to themselves and others.”    » read more »

April 8, 2008 -- AUGUSTA – Responding to growing concern over the condition of bridges around the State and to a November 2007 study, “Keeping Our Bridges Safe,” Maine Governor John E. Baldacci today submitted bipartisan legislation that will invest an additional $160 million over four years in bridge construction and preservation.

Iron bridge over Crooked River on Ryefield Bridge Road, Otisfield Gore, Maine: Photo by Bob Travis (CC)    » read more »

Traffic safety increased with strategic highway safety plan

April 3, 2008 -- OLYMPIA – Washington Governor Chris Gregoire announced today that the number of people who died on Washington roads in 2007 is down markedly from the previous year. As of April 1, 567 people were reported to have died in traffic crashes in 2007 — down from 625 in 2006.

Flood on I-5 highway in Centralia, Washington: Transportation Secretary Paula Hammond, Washington Governor Chris Gregoire and State Patrol Chief John Batiste view the flood on I-5 in Centralia, Dec. 4, 2007. WSDOT photo by Jim Culp.    » read more »

Apr 3, 2008 -- LITTLE ROCK – Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe, after consulting with Arkansas Department of Emergency Management (ADEM) Director David Maxwell and Arkansas State Health Officer Dr. Paul Halverson, has decided that Arkansas will accept FEMA mobile homes for use by Arkansas storm victims as temporary housing.

FEMA trailers in Louisiana: Photo by Joshua Miller (CC)

Arkansas is accepting only those mobile homes that have been tested by FEMA and registered formaldehyde levels at or below 40 parts per billion (ppb).    » read more »

Hoffa Says Teamsters Aviation Workers Have Expressed Concerns for Years

April 3, 2008 -- (Washington, D.C.) – Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa on Thursday thanked Transportation Committee Chairman Jim Oberstar for investigating the Federal Aviation Administration’s cozy relationship with airline management.

Southwest Airlines aircraft maintenance at Midway Airport in Chicago: Photo by Jim Wissemes (CC)

Oberstar, D-Minn., chaired the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee hearing on critical lapses in the FAA’s oversight of airlines.    » read more »

4/3/2008 -- The following statement was delivered by Senator Clinton at a press availability in Burbank, California this afternoon:

"I want to start by talking about a very troubling development that has come to light in regard to airline safety and regulation. This week we are learning a number of very problematic things about airline safety and about the Federal Aviation Administration’s approach to policing the airline industry. Southwest Airlines has a lot to answer for.

Southwest Airlines aircraft maintenance at Chicago's Midway Airport: Photo by Jim Wissemes (CC)    » read more »

Safety Expert and Poultry Worker to Address Failures of Large Corporations to Protect Health and Safety of Workers In the Workplace

April 1, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. - Change to Win Health and Safety coordinator Eric Frumin and United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) member Doris Morrow will testify as witnesses at a Senate hearing tomorrow to address the dangerous pattern of large corporations ignoring or avoiding their obligations to insure a safe workplace. The testimony will focus on serious violations at BP, McWane Corp., Cintas Corp., House of Raeford, Smithfield Foods, AgriProcessors, Waste Management Inc., and Avalon Bay.    » read more »

Action will protect health and safety of children

April 1, 2008 -- OLYMPIA – Washington Governor Chris Gregoire today signed landmark legislation to protect children from unsafe toys. House Bill 2647, the Children’s Safe Products Act, was sponsored by Rep. Mary Lou Dickerson, D-Seattle.

Toys: (Photo CC Brent Moore)

Surrounded by youngsters and other bill supporters, the governor noted that the health of young Washingtonians is one of her top priorities.    » read more »