CPSC Investigating Carnival Ride After Child Seriously Injured
July 20, 2023, NBC5 Chicago
Antioch police have seized the Moby Dick thrill ride just days after a 10-year old boy was seriously hurt after being thrown from the attraction. NBC 5 Investigates has learned the ride’s manufacturer, Wisdom Rides, had previously issued safety alerts and service bulletins related to this style of ride, which operates under the name “Moby Dick” and others. In addition to the state’s Department of Labor and Antioch Police, the Consumer Product Safety Commission also told NBC 5 Investigates it too is now conducting an investigation into the Antioch incident, according to a CPSC spokesman.
The White House And Big Tech Companies Release Commitments On Managing AI
July 21, 2023, NPR
Presidents and CEOs from leading tech companies that are creating artificial intelligence have agreed to several commitments on sharing, testing and developing new AI technology, the White House says. Seven companies — Google, Microsoft, Meta, Amazon, OpenAI, Anthropic and Inflection — met at the White House to announce the voluntary agreements. President Biden also be made remarks. “U.S. companies lead the world in innovation, and they have a responsibility to do that and continue to do that, but they have an equal responsibility to ensure that their products are safe, secure and trustworthy,” White House chief of staff Jeff Zients told NPR in an interview.
How To Manage An Employee Who Always Makes Excuses
July 17, 2023, Harvard Business Review
It’s common for managers to shortchange upfront alignment conversations in the name of speed. But that haste can cost you. An investment in alignment upfront enables good performance and also provides the framework to address poor performance if it persists. Your job as a manager is to create a process that acts as a performance scaffold to strengthen an employee’s alignment, capability and motivation.
Lolly Urgently Recalled Across Australia Over Fears It Could Cause Death
July 21, 2023, 7Life
Consumers have been warned to dispose of a novelty lollipop sold across Australia over fears it could cause choking, severe internal burn injuries or death to young children. The Novelty Pops lollipops sold with a spinning toy are being urgently recalled due to a button battery in the toy sold alongside the sweet treat. According to a recall notice from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, the compartment containing the button battery is not secured and the batteries may be easily accessed.
CPSC Warns These Bicycle Helmets Will Not Protect You From A Head Injury; Sellers Offer No Remedy To Consumers
July 20, 2023, PennLive
The Consumer Product Safety Commission issued a warning to consumers about two brands of helmets sold on Amazon – SQM and Xinerter (sold by US-Xiner). he commission warned people to stop using the brands “because they can fail to protect riders in the event of a crash, posing a risk of head injury. The helmets do not comply with the positional stability and certification requirements of the mandatory federal safety standard for bicycle helmets.” The commission said both companies have refused to issue recalls “or offer a remedy to consumers.”
PFAS Update: State-By-State Consumer Products Regulations – July 2023
July 19, 2023, JD Supra
Manufacturers, distributors, and retailers of consumer products across a broad spectrum of industries are being impacted by regulations regarding the presence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (“PFAS”) in their products. This area is rapidly developing as states create new laws, and the penalties and litigation risk for non-compliance can be significant. According to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (“ATSDR”), PFAS have been reported in certain consumer products. The map below is an overview of enacted and proposed state laws and regulations as of July 12, 2023, to assist you in investigating whether your products may be impacted.
NY Fire Commissioner Brings Lithium-Ion Battery Concerns To US Capitol
July 21, 2023, News 12 Brooklyn
The commissioner of the FDNY brought concerns over the dangers of exploding lithium-ion batteries to Washington, D.C. Commissioner Laura Kavanagh testified before the Consumer Product Safety Commission about the dangers that have caused fires and gut homes and businesses throughout the city. Kavanagh said the batteries are a critical safety issue that has grown since 2021. She said as of this week, there have been 131 fires, 76 injuries and 13 deaths caused by lithium-ion batteries.
Health Canada: Man Fined $12,000 For Selling Bleaching Agent As ‘Miracle’ Treatment
July 19, 2023, LiveWireCalgary
A Calgary man has pleaded guilty to offences under Canada’s Food and Drug Act for selling sodium chlorite, a commonly used industrial bleaching agent, as medicine. Sodium chlorite, commonly referred to as MMS which stands for Miracle Mineral Supplement or Master Mineral Solution, has been cited by Health Canada as a cause for concern for the health of Canadians, with multiple warnings and convictions for its sale over the past decade. “The Department warns that anyone involved in the advertising or sale of MMS or similar products will be stopped. We urge the public to not take MMS for the treatment of ailments, and to report the sale of these unauthorized products to Health Canada,” said Health Canada.
E-Scooter, E-Bike Casualties In Israel Soar While Train Usage Declines And More Cars Hit The Roads
July 18, 2023, The Media Line
There has been a staggering rise in casualties from electric scooters and electric bicycles in Israel in recent years, according to new data supplied by Israel’s Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS). Meanwhile, other figures show that train usage in Israel is still struggling to recover after plummeting during the COVID pandemic and that the number of cars on Israeli roads continues to rise. According to data reported to police, combined with unreported hospital data, there were 1,546 casualties from e-scooter accidents in 2022, with five people killed and 1,541 injured. This was 15.81% higher than in 2021, when there were 1,335 casualties, and a huge 440% higher than in 2018, when there were 286 casualties.
European Commission Product Safety Award For Businesses And Researchers Making A Difference In Product Safety For Future Generations Of Consumers
July 21, 2023, EU LawLive
The Directorate-General for Justice and Consumers of the European Commission is organizing the 2023 Product Safety Award. The Award aims to reward innovative business initiatives that focus on making a difference in product safety, guaranteeing greater consumer protection for younger generations. The deadline for submitting an application is 8 September 2023. Submissions will be accepted in any of the official languages of the European Economic Area.
Stay Cool And Safe In And Around The Pool This Summer
July 18, 2023, Illinois.gov
Pools are a popular summer destination for people to beat the heat, but they can pose some hidden dangers. The number of residential pools has increased over recent years raising the risk for accidental drownings meaning homeowners and parents need be extra vigilant to protect kids who have access to the water. “Parents should put down their phones, books, or other items that could take their attention away when children are in or around the water. It only takes a few seconds for an accident to occur,” said Illinois State Fire Marshal James A. Rivera. “I encourage parents to enroll their children in swimming lessons and have conversations with children about not entering a pool without permission.” According to the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC), child drownings continue to be the leading cause of death among children ages 1 to 4 years old.
Mom Says 8-Year-Old Daughter Was Injured By Magnets In Reusable Water Balloon
July 20, 2023, ABC News (GMA)
An Ohio mom says her 8-year-old daughter was injured by magnets from a reusable water balloon. Kelley Whitty of Morrow, Ohio, told “Good Morning America” her daughter Leah was swimming earlier this month at a family friend’s house, where they had reusable water balloons, soft silicone balls with a magnetic closure that allows them to be refilled. At the hospital, Whitty said Leah was sedated so that doctors could perform a small surgical procedure, during which they removed six small magnets from her nose. “There ended up being four on one side and two on the other,” said Whitty, adding that the magnets had “bonded” to Leah’s nasal septum.
