McDonald’s Vows To Stop Using Harmful Chemicals In Packaging
January 13, 2021, Miami Herald
In a victory for health and environmental advocates, the world’s largest fast-food chain promised to stop using potentially harmful chemicals in packaging. McDonald’s will remove all PFAS from wrappers, containers and other packaging by 2025.
Kidde Penalty May Signal Stiffer Biden Era Safety Rules
January 12, 2021, Market Watch
The first major CPSC penalty in almost three years could preview tougher oversight that companies will face under a more aggressive Biden administration. Kidde was fined $12 million for several serious violation including failure to report and under reporting.
Nine Trends That Will Shape Work In 2021 And Beyond
January 9, 2021, Harvard Business Review
While 2020 was the most volatile year in modern history, it would be a mistake to think that we’re in for smoother sailing this year. In fact, as we move into 2021 and beyond, the rate of disruption will potentially accelerate as the implications from 2020 play out across the next several years. Here are nine predictions from the chief of research for Gartner’s HR practice.
Ford Studying Tech For Bikes, E-Scooters To ‘Talk’ To Cars
January 13, 2021, Washington Post
If bikes and e-scooters could “talk” to cars, riders would be safer, at least in theory. That’s what’s behind a consortium of bike and scooter manufacturers working to develop safety software to allow forms of micromobility to communicate with cars.
Shovel Snow Safely This Winter
January 12, 2021, Courier Journal
Shoveling snow can increase the risk of injury and people may be surprised to learn just how frequently such injuries happen. The CPSC notes that, in 2018, more than 137,000 people needed medical assistance for injuries that happened while shoveling snow or using snowblowers.
Five Things Consumer Product Whistleblowers Must Know
January 13, 2021, Forbes
Countless employees in the consumer products industry play a pivotal role in making sure products —ranging from toys to coffee makers to power tools — do not pose a threat to people using them. A relatively unsung law, the Consumer Safety Products Improvement Act (CPSIA), 15 U.S.C. § 2087, provides crucial protection against retaliation for whistleblowers.
Two Former Executives Acquitted In Humidifier Cleaner Death Cases
January 12, 2021, Yonhap News Agency
A court recently acquitted the former heads of SK Chemical Co. and the consumer goods company Aekyung Industrial Co. in a deadly humidifier sterilizer case. They were accused of manufacturing and selling Humidifier Mate, a humidifier sterilizer that includes harmful chemicals, in the early 2000s. But the court said the causal relations between lung-related illnesses such as asthma and the chemical substances used to make the product have not been firmly established.
GE Appliances Releases First Ever Corporate Citizenship Report
January 12, 2021, The Tullahomanews.com
GE Appliances recently released its first-ever Corporate Citizenship Impact Report, highlighting the company’s long-standing, purpose-driven commitment to making a difference in the world through its people, products, and the places where it operates.
What Is A Design Defect Products Liability Claim?
January 11, 2021, Lawyers.com
In a design defect case, the company that designed the product is normally the only entity that is held liable. In manufacturing or marketing defect cases, anyone involved in the manufacture, assembly, and distribution of goods can be held liable. Overall, products liability claims can be based on negligence, strict liability, or breach of warranty of fitness.
Trump’s EPA Team Overrules Career Scientists On Toxic Chemical
January 13, 2021, Politico
Political officials at EPA have overruled the agency’s career scientists to weaken a major health assessment for a toxic chemical contaminating the drinking water of an estimated 860,000 Americans, according to four sources with knowledge of the changes. The changes to the safety assessment for the chemical PFBS, part of a class of “forever chemicals” called PFAS, is the latest example of the Trump administration’s tailoring of science to align with its political agenda, and another in a series of eleventh-hour steps the administration has taken to hamstring President-elect Joe Biden’s ability to support aggressive environmental regulations
Brexit Implications For Business
January 11, 2021, Safety and Health Practitioner
UK REACH, the UK’s independent chemicals regulatory framework, started on 1 January 2021. This guidance sets out how to comply with the EU and UK REACH chemical regulations when using, making, selling or importing chemicals in the UK and in the EU. It has been updated to include access to the ‘Comply with UK REACH’ service.
California To Tire Makers: Please Remove Harmful Chemicals That Threaten Our Aquatic Life And Waterways
January 12, 2021, YubaNet.com
The California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) today put tire manufacturers on notice that California wants them to explore alternatives to using zinc, a toxic chemical that harms aquatic life and burdens waterways.
Honoring Our Heroes
SPSP Website
SPSP makes a permanent home for the salute poster at its website.
