In the News: February 28, 2022

New CPSC Report On Portable Generators And Carbon Monoxide Supports Mandatory Rulemaking Process
February 23, 2022, YahooEntertainment
As part of the process to issue a new mandatory rule, the Consumer Product Safety Commission has released a report that includes the agency’s analysis of the effectiveness of two industry voluntary standards in mitigating portable generator carbon monoxide poisoning hazards and a review of compliance in the marketplace with these two standards.

Analysis: A New Roadmap For Reining In Social Media Companies Is Gaining Steam
February 23, 2022, Washington Post
For years, U.S. policymakers have been railing against social media companies for allegedly stoking divisions and facilitating the spread of noxious content on their sites, with little to show for it beyond distant threats of regulation. These efforts have largely taken a single form: proposals to roll back the protections that shield tech companies from lawsuits over their users’ posts, known as Section 230. But there are signs of growing momentum for a different approach, focused instead on channeling regulators’ consumer protection powers.

How To Respectfully Discuss Contentious Issues At Work
February 23, 2022, Harvard Business Review
A recent study shows that people feel unsafe about speaking their minds at work, particularly on contentious topics. To feel more confident and less fearful about speaking up with your peers, the author offers these tactics that you can use.

CPSC Business Education: How To Create A Children’s Product Certificate (Video)
January 2022, CPSC.gov (video)
This video, Part 2 of the Consumer Product Safety Commission video series on creating Children’s Product Certificates (CPCs), is featured on YouTube. Part 1 of the series can be seen at this link:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDaMfCJicLc&t=19s

Wheelchair Users And Fire Safety
February 20, 2022, Safety+Health
Creating a safe evacuation plan means all employees should be accounted for in it – including workers who use a wheelchair. “By understanding their special evacuation needs, people with limited mobility and first responders can improve their chances of evacuating their workplace or home safely,” the United Spinal Association says. “The main goal is to get persons with limited mobility to a ‘safe area’ until the fire department arrives.”

Peloton Still Investigating How Bikes Rusting From The Inside
February 23, 2022, Business Insider
While many bikes were fixed, seven employees from three different states said some bikes affected by rusting were knowingly sent to customers as the company struggled to keep up with soaring demand and lack of supply at the time.

Recall Alert: Zeno Infant Walkers Fail To Meet Federal Safety Standards
February 21, 2022, Fox13 Memphis
The walkers can fit through a standard doorway and are not designed to stop at the edge of a step as required by the federal safety standard. The leg openings allow the child to slip down until the child’s head can become entrapped at the neck.

Increased Use Of Cleaning Products Leads To A Rise In Kids’ Poisonings
February 21, 2022, NJ101.5
More young kids are at home for virtual learning and parents home focusing on several priorities at once. This is leading to less supervision and an increased number of calls to poison control about kids being exposed to cleaning products.

Taking Fake Toys Offline: Proactive Measures To Reduce Counterfeits And Unsafe Toys Sold On Online Marketplaces</strong>
2021, The Toy Association (white paper)
In 2019, the Toy Association issued its White Paper, The Real Threat of Fake Toys. This 2020 paper reviews the three factors contributing to counterfeit toys sold online and expands on the proposed solutions.

Government To Scrap Age Limit For E-Scooters In Ireland
February 23, 2022, SiliconRepublic
The Government has approved amendments to the Road Traffic and Roads Bill 2021, which will see the removal of an age limit for e-scooter ownership and the establishment of a new office to oversee Ireland’s EV infrastructure growth.

 

Honoring Our Heroes
SPSP Website
SPSP makes a permanent home for the salute poster at its website.

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