United States Government News| Federal Government news, press releases, health alerts, consumer alerts, grant notices, us gov public awareness notices, government issues, U.S. grants, government jobs, Identity theft prevention, U.S. government product recalls
OSHA safety tips for ski resort workers to stay safe on the job In March, a ski patroller died after a fall while on duty
in the backcountry of a mountain resort. She was not wearing a helmet. Ski
season is here, so OSHA is encouraging ski resort employers and workers,
especially ski patrollers, to take the necessary precautions to protect
themselves from severe injury while on the job.
OSHA grantees offer free training on pandemic flu hazards and SHMS design West Virginia University Safety and Health Extension, an
OSHA Susan Harwood Training Grant Program recipient, is offering healthcare
professionals and staff at small hospitals and healthcare facilities a free,
four-hour pandemic influenza hazard awareness course Aug. 20 in Hagerstown, Md.,
and Aug. 21 in Lewes, Del.
OSHA Update- Hazard Communication Guidance for Combustible Dusts This document is intended to help manufacturers and importers of chemicals
recognize the potential for dust explosions and to identify appropriate
protective measures as part of their hazard determination under the Hazard
Communication Standard (HCS).
NTIA and RUS will be accepting applications for loans, grants and loan/grant
combinations to be awarded by each agency under a single application form. This
collaborative approach will ensure that the agencies' activities are
complementary and integrated, make the best use of taxpayer funds and make it
easier for applicants to apply for funding. This is the first of three rounds of
funding the Agriculture and Commerce Departments will provide.
Unemployment rate in March 2009 In March, the number of unemployed persons increased by 694,000 to 13.2 million, and the unemployment rate rose to 8.5 percent. Over the past 12 months, the number of unemployed persons has grown by about 5.3 million
Mass layoff events in November 2008 In November, employers took 2,328 mass layoff actions, seasonally adjusted, as measured by new filings for unemployment insurance benefits during the month. Each action involved at least 50 persons from a single employer; the number of workers involved totaled 224,079 on a seasonally adjusted basis.
OSHA PPE Update:Clarification of Employer Duty To Provide Personal Protective In this rulemaking, OSHA is amending its standards to add
language clarifying that the personal protective equipment (PPE) and training requirements impose a compliance duty to each and every employee covered by the standards and that noncompliance may expose the employer to liability on a per-employee basis.
Import prices down again in November 2008 Import prices fell 6.7 percent in November after decreases of 5.4 percent, 3.5 percent, and 3.1 percent in October, September, and August, respectively. The November decline was the largest one-month drop since the index was first published monthly in December 1988.
Mervyns employees with workers? compensation claims for injuries received in the period February 1, 1990, through August 28, 2004, may now contact the Tristar Risk Management Senior Claims Supervisor Juliann Ginn for assistance at 925-339-8822 ext. 1876, or e-mail her at Julieann.ginn@tristargroup.net.
Thanksgiving 2008: How Americans Spend Their Time
Preparing and eating food and watching television are common activities on Thanksgiving and over the entire holiday weekend. On Thanksgiving holiday weekends between 2003 and 2007, Americans who prepared meals spent an average of 1.1 hours per day doing so, while eating and drinking occupied 1.2 hours per day. Those who watched television spent an average of 3.7 hours per day in front of the TV.
Industry News 
