Train Crash Technology

by September 15, 2008
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has been trying since 1990 to persuade the Federal Railroad Administration to implement technology that compensates for the human errors that cause train collisions and derailments.  Over the past 30 years, the NTSB has investigated numerous train accidents involving crewmembers who were distracted, tired, on medication or otherwise unable to properly operate the locomotives.  The Positive Train Control System (PTC) would compensate for these human errors and help avoid train collisions like the one that happened Sept. 12, 2008 near Los Angeles, Ca.  The NTSB redoubled its efforts to have the PTC system implemented …. » Read more »

Los Angeles Train Derailment

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An engineer’s mistake caused a passenger train to collide head-on with a freight train near Los Angeles Friday, according to transportation officials.  California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger called the incident one of the worst train accidents in modern California history. The collision happened when a Metrolink passenger train failed to stop at a signal near Chatsworth, Ca.  The death toll stood at 25 on Sunday, but more people were still trapped under the wreckage, officials said. There were 222 people on board Ventura County Line passenger train 111, and at least 135 people were injured, officials said.  Many were in critical condition.  The …. » Read more »

Hispanic Heritage Month

by September 12, 2008
Feliz Mes del Hispano! Hispanic Heritage Month is September 15 through October 15. Today, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, more than 44 million people in the United States are of Hispanic origin. In California, 35% of our residents are of Hispanic or Latino origin. Hispanic Heritage Month is a great time to reflect on the issues in the workplace that disproportionately affect the Hispanic population. For example, national origin and/or ethnicity discrimination are of particular significance. Or consider that an employer may not require employees to speak only English in the workplace. Clearly there are many issues affecting the Hispanic community …. » Read more »

Government Roof Crush Standard Weak

by September 11, 2008
Six vehicles that passed government roof strength standards failed a real world test.  When the vehicles were tested in actual rollovers, the crash test dummies were impacted in ways that would have killed or paralyzed human occupants.    The cars tested were the 2007 Pontiac G6, 2006 Chrysler 300, 2007 Toyota Camry, 2007 Volkswagen Jetta, 2006 Honda Ridgeline and 2006 Hyundai Sonata.  The cars were tested using the Jordan Rollover System, which simulates a vehicle rollover.  The National Traffic Highway Safety Administration does not use a rollover test to gauge roof strenth.  Rather, it uses a static test with an vehicle …. » Read more »

Vehicle Rollover Technology

by September 5, 2008
Rollover incidents have the highest fatality rate of any type of crash.  But there are some technological advances that can keep you safer in the event of a rollover.  Side impact air bags can protect passengers’ heads and may even prevent passengers from being ejected.  But not all side impact air bags deploy in rollover crashes.  Variable Ride-Height Suspension (VRHS) can lower a vehicle’s center of gravity, making it less top-heavy and less likely to roll over. Some VRHS systems can make a vehicle several inches closer to the ground. Electronic Stability Control prevents a car from spinning out of …. » Read more »

Sexual Harassment Still Prevalent in the Workplace

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Despite the California legislature’s efforts in recent years to prevent sexual harassment by requiring anti-harassment training for all supervisory employees, sexual harassment continues to be a serious problem. The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) reports that in 2007, it received 12,510 charges of sexual harassment nationwide.  Unfortunately, many people — supervisory employees and subordinates alike — harbor misconceptions regarding harassment. For example, some think harassment is ”sexual” only if directed at a female. To the contrary, 16% of harassment charges filed with the EEOC in 2007 were by males.  Or consider that some workers think harassment by a customer or client is not the employer’s …. » Read more »

Ten Least Crashworthy Cars

by September 2, 2008
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety performs various crash tests to assess the safety performance of vehicles sold in the United States.  What follows is a list of the ten worst performers.  These are ten cars you DO NOT want to be in if involved in an accident.  The Kia Rio and Hyundai Accent are the worst of the worst.  The sturdy looking Hummer H3 is a surprising addition to the list. 10. Hummer H3 — Front: Acceptable, Side: Acceptable, Rear: Poor 9. Jeep Patriot (without optional side-airbags) — Acceptable, Marginal, Acceptable 8. Pontiac G6 Convertible — Acceptable, Marginal, …. » Read more »
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