This message was sent to ##Email## November 16, 2017   |   Home  |   About  |   Membership  |   Education & Training  |   Resources  |        TOP NEWS 10 tips to create a safer workplace By D. Albert Brannen Protecting workers should be a priority for every employer. This article outlines 10 basic tips for creating a safe workplace. Obviously, this list is not all-inclusive and employers can take many other actions to maintain a safe workplace. Employers who take these actions will go a long way toward protecting workers, increasing employee engagement and improving profits.  READ MORE NTSB finds 'weak safety culture' at Amtrak after fatal Pennsylvania crash ABC News Following a 19-month investigation, the National Transportation Safety Board identified 20 different factors that contributed to the April 2016 crash that killed two veteran Amtrak employees and injured 39 passengers when a train struck a backhoe and derailed in Chester, Pennsylvania. Investigators said Amtrak had a "weak safety culture" where employees frequently took short cuts and put on-time performance over safety.  READ MORE With deadline approaching, flood insurance bill clears US house Route Fifty Congress made progress Tuesday toward reauthorizing the National Flood Insurance Program, which is set to expire on Dec. 8. House lawmakers approved a bill that would extend the program for five years, through 2022. It passed, 237-189, with 222 Republicans and 15 Democrats backing the measure. The reauthorization process will next turn to the Senate.  READ MORE    SPONSORED CONTENT Promoted by Travelers Public entities are planning to use drones in many ways Many public entities discuss cyber coverage with their agents, but remain unprepared Travelers’ insights for public entities: managing the risks of smart technology for transportation and mobility. Law enforcement risks are front page news, and body-worn cameras are here to stay. Are you cyber-prepared? Put your data and network security to the test.   Chemical attack on public transport — a likely scenario Domestic Preparedness Zamawang F. Almemar, a senior chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and high-yield explosives (CBRNE) and nonconventional threat consultant, writes "Some experts say that a chemical attack plot on Western public transportation systems such as this one is inevitable: It is 0753 on a Tuesday morning at the busy red line subway station in Washington, D.C. The Islamic State group (IS) just claimed responsibility for a chemical attack that took place there by three IS supporters (two males and one female) about half past the hour. The Metrorail transportation staff and first responders are rushing to care for the victims of what seems to be a sulfur mustard attack."  READ MORE FEMA denies disaster aid for record summer floods in Chicago area Chicago Tribune Victims of record flooding in the Chicago area this summer will not be getting help from a federal disaster declaration, officials announced recently. In a letter to Gov. Bruce Rauner, Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator Brock Long denied the governor's request for aid for Cook, Lake, McHenry and Kane counties.  READ MORE The era of talking highways: Do we need 'smart' infrastructure? By Lucy Wallwork The term "smart" can cause a lot of confusion these days — the prefix is used liberally to make any new product sound cutting edge. But "smart" infrastructure is about interaction and communication, based on the logic of the Internet of Things, the fashionable concept of a network of devices connected to the internet, and the relationship between them. It's what happens when even your toaster is connected to the internet. But what does it mean for ordinary citizens?  READ MORE     .  SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT     Healthcare facilities and emergency preparedness Facility Executive ARC Document Solutions, a company that provides technology and document tools for every stage of the facility life cycle, has shared insights into "7 Critical Ways to Prepare for Healthcare Facilities Emergencies." The company's white paper on this topic focuses on the role of facility management in emergency preparedness.  READ MORE Las Vegas driverless shuttle involved in crash on first day CNET The brave new world is upon us. One question to ask, however, is how brave the robots of the new world truly are.  READ MORE    MISSED AN ISSUE OF RISKWATCH? VISIT AND SEARCH THE ARCHIVE TODAY. The cybersecurity skills shortage impacts security operations CSO According to ESG research, 45 percent of organizations report having a problematic shortage of cybersecurity skills in 2017. Of course, this applies to all areas of cybersecurity but recent ESG research shows that the skills shortage has a direct impact on security analytics and operations.  READ MORE   Excess Liability Insurance exclusively for Public Entities States Self-Insurers Risk Retention Group, Inc provides quality, cost-effective excess liability coverage and superior, personal service to our public entity owners in order to promote a long-term risk management partnership. MORE   Officials detail DoD support during unprecedented hurricane season Domestic Preparedness Defense Department officials recently told the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee how DoD has supported federal, state and local officials in responding to the unprecedented series of hurricanes this year.  READ MORE Watchdog warns uncorrected mistakes risk billions during disaster recovery Government Executive A watchdog agency is warning about potential fraudulent spending by the federal government in the wake of several major natural disasters this year as local officials from affected regions pledged full transparency on their recovery spending at a congressional hearing on Tuesday.  READ MORE Tobii says eye-tracking could improve manufacturing safety Venture Beat Tobii created its eye-tracking technology for controlling games and virtual reality applications. But it has since come up with another idea: tracking industrial manufacturing workers' alertness in the name of safety. Tobii's research division, Tobii Insight Pro, is releasing an eye-tracking study it performed at the metal foundry of H&H Castings, a maker of aluminum castings. By monitoring the eye movements of workers, H&H Castings found that it could train workers more quickly and uncover new efficiencies in its operations. It created new training guidelines and reported that it was able to reduce the risk of accidents.  READ MORE Disasters don't plan ahead, you can WTOP-FM Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, Jose and Maria have shown us disasters are very real and could happen to you. Are you ready? Not sure where to turn? Talking about disasters can be tough, but the best way to keep your family safe is to get ready now.  READ MORE Saying no to the boss By Catherine Iste Trying to work through a disagreement with a co-worker can be frustrating. However, in most cases, we can go to a third party like HR or our boss to help us straighten it out. But what do we do when we have a problem with our boss? For significant, negative situations like sexual harassment or hostile work environment the path is usually clear: talk to HR, another person in leadership or an attorney. Yet how can we approach less weighty issues that still need to be addressed?  READ MORE    TRENDING ARTICLES Missed last week's issue? See which articles your colleagues read most. FEMA rethinking ban on disaster aid to church buildings (The Associated Press via U.S. News & World Report) Why Atlantic hurricanes don't form in winter and spring (or do they?) (Forbes) From co-worker to boss: Tips to manage former peers (By Catherine Iste) Nations better shielded from disasters, Pacific most at risk – study (Reuters) Can an early warning prevent earthquakes becoming disasters? (National Geographic) Don't be left behind. 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