This weekly post aims to bring you the top stories, resources, tools, and commentaries that may be of interest to safety and health professionals from around the web. By Sara Wesche - @SafetyTraining1
All in all it was a quiet this week. The majority of stories stem from the EPA, not surprising in an election year as the environmental topics tend to be a hot button between republicans and democrats. Also, check out the link for the EPA’s tips on having an environmentally friendly and safe summer, including tips for reducing energy and fuel costs. Have a safe week. ~Sara
Earlier this year, 100 environmental agencies, including The Center for Biological Diversity, unsuccessfully petitioned the US Environmental Protection Agency to restrict the use of lead-based ammunition that is used in the majority of sporting and hunting ammunition in the US. The EPA said they did not have the authority to regulate lead ammunition, but the environmental groups disagreed. The matter has now been taken to the US District Court with the environmental groups filing a federal lawsuit. http://inhabitat.com/wildlife-lead-poisoning-epa-sued-over-failure-to-regulate-spent-ammunition/
According to this opinion blog, small business owners do support EPA regulations. Or, rather, they don’t see them as great as a threat to their business as say the unstable economy and slower sales. Perhaps EPA regulations just aren’t on the top of the small businesses owners mind. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/john-arensmeyer/epa-regulations-small-business_b_1586834.html
NYC DOT seeks private company to manage over 9,000 parking spaces across 5 Burroughs. I may be dating myself here, but all I can think of is the Seinfeld episode where Kramer starts a “small business” moving cars from parking space to parking space to avoid fines. http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/g/a/2012/06/11/bloomberg_articlesM5GOE01A74E901-M5GV6.DTL
In a head to head competition almost as cut throat as Republicans vs Democrats, Apple announced this week at their annual developer conference new map software that will replace Google maps and set Apple ahead of the Android platform. Currently, Apple products use Google Maps – and Google is the main platform for Android devises. You must ask yourself….are you an Android or an Apple. Tough choice. http://theweek.com/article/index/229097/will-apples-new-map-software-kill-google-maps
KKK denied application to “Adopt a Highway” program by Georgia DOT. http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/state-dot-denies-kkk-application-to-adopt-a-highway-program-cites-potential-negative-impact/2012/06/12/gJQAaaAMYV_story.html
Venezuela calls for Gulf OPEC nations to cut crude oil output. Cartel member worries about declining prices – believes oil should be over $100 per barrel. Supply and demand…sure, but man, I wish I had found oil in my backyard. http://www.industryweek.com/articles/venezuela_calls_for_gulf_opec_nations_to_cut_crude_oil_output_27583.aspx?Page=1
The EPA released 15 tips for having a safe and environmentally friendly summer season, including ideas for saving money on AC and gas. A nice list to share with co-workers and employees. http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/0/DECC2AEC6AB7C30C85257A1C00575C8D
$880 million Everglades clean-up plan given the OK. The project is to create five storm water treatment areas covering 57,000 acres in an effort to filter phosphorous, which comes from fertilizer and promotes the growth of unhealthy vegetation that chokes native plants. http://www.businessweek.com/ap/2012-06/D9VCDVGO4.htm
The large use of Twitter combines public service announcements with the poetry format of haiku. Currently, Arizona is asking the public to take to Twitter and compose haiku’s about dust storm awareness. The NY DOT did a similar campaign regarding biker and pedestrian safety. No, I’m not going to write a haiku for you. http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/pageviews/2012/06/arizona-fighting-dust-storms-with-haiku
EPA to seek tougher rules on soot opposed by industry. The rule would cover particles 2.5-microns in diameter, which the American Lung Association says can cause heart attacks, strokes and asthma attacks. http://www.businessweek.com/news/2012-06-14/epa-to-seek-tougher-rules-on-soot-opposed-by-industry
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