February 15, 2008 On Feb 21, 2008, PMA Tennessee District will host meeting to provide metalformers with industry benchmarking information. Speaker Bill Gaskin, president of PMA, will highlight several critical management, quality, and productivity measures from PMA's benchmarking service. Training hours, lost workday injuries, employee turnover, average setup time, earnings before interest and taxes, and many other key measures will be reviewed.

February 15, 2008 At U.S. Department of Commerce conference on "Powering Our Low Carbon Future", John E. Shelk, president and CEO of EPSA, reaffirmed that competitive electricity suppliers are leaders in adopting more efficient and innovative methods of generating electricity to meet nation's future electricity needs. EPSA members are pushing forward on wind, solar, geothermal, and clean coal, and filed first applications for new nuclear plants in over a decade.

February 15, 2008 Updated by AAMA, AAMA 925-07 specification establishes standard method of evaluating side-hinged door leaf for ability to resist vertical load along lock stile in typical door frame. Edits were made to requirement of max force-to-latch load in test report, and 15 lb pass-fail criteria was replaced with procedure for conducting force-to-latch tests. Force-to-latch testing protocol was modified to coincide with North American Fenestration Standard/Specification for windows, doors, and skylights.

February 15, 2008 Scheduled for April 27-29, 2008 at Lowes Ventana Canyon Resort in Tucson, AZ, BSA 2008 Annual Convention will include presentations from Jeffrey J. Fox, who introduced concept of dollarization, and Jim Cathcart on purpose-driven leadership. Attendees will benefit from networking opportunities with global suppliers and distributors, invitation to schedule private appointments to meet with key decision makers of supplier companies, and opportunity to explore new bearing sources.

February 15, 2008 In response to announcement by PJM Interconnection regarding results of 4th residual auction for capacity, John E. Shelk, President and CEO of EPSA, stated that results show competitive wholesale markets and power suppliers are responding to need for more electricity, efficiency, and reliability. Competitive power suppliers responded to PJM's forward capacity auction to contribute to record increase in amount of generation available to meet consumers' needs.

February 14, 2008 ASHRAE and the Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) International announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in recognition of shared technical interests to foster superior building performance. Both will work to achieve goals such as identifying opportunities for shared operation service, to collaborate on product development, promote educational programs to members, and participate in standards development.

February 14, 2008 Sponsored by the PMA, Regional METALFORM will take place at the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex in Birmingham, AL, April 1-3, 2008. More than 300 companies will show their products in 94,000 sq ft of exhibit space, displaying fabricating, stamping, assembly, and tool and die equipment as well as material handling and packaging products and services. In addition to more than 40 presentations, other events will include plant tours and an awards ceremony.

February 13, 2008 Scheduled for March 12, 2008, "Lean for the Supply Chain" will bring together OEMs, major suppliers, and job shop owners to address value of using lean processes to collaborate on working effectively up and down supply chain. Conference starts off with optional Lean Experience Tour where attendees will observe 2 facilities at different stages of lean journeys. Workshops cover topics such as Standardized Work, Creating a Lean Culture with the Supply Chain, and Kaizening Together.

February 13, 2008 New member companies include Springs Global, Inc.; Ruggeri Marble & Granite, Inc.; Orion Standards LLC; Specialty Coffee Association of America; OGSystems; and Green Seal, Inc. Silicon Power Computer and Communications, Inc.; Perfecseal; L.H. Cranston; Educational Testing Service; Applied Technical Services, Inc.; and Betazone, Inc. also joined ANSI. Also added were Household Goods Forwarders Association of America, Inc.; National Roofing Contractors Association; and David Tyson Lighting, Inc.

February 13, 2008 The ANSI program is for certification bodies assessing compliance with BRC Global Standard Food - 2005, BRC Global Standard - Consumer Products - 2006, BRC/IoP Global Standard - Food Packaging and Other Packaging Materials - 2004, BRC Storage and Distribution Standard - 2006, and Technical Standard for the Supply of Identity Preserved Non-Genetically Modified Ingredients and Product - 2001. Those seeking accreditation under the program must demonstrate compliance with various ANSI standards.

February 13, 2008 The A&WMA workshop, Clearing the Air on NSR, on April 17-18 in Las Vegas, will review fundamental requirements of the program and focus on anticipated changes. Instructors will explore how and when changes and new requirements will apply throughout the United States; conflicting court opinions and their impact on operations; and the status and future of NSR enforcement. Also, Robert Baxter, CMM, will discuss how meteorological data is helping to track air quality in the Las Vegas region.

February 13, 2008 The A&WMA and the WEF, in cooperation with the Arizona Water & Pollution Control Association, will offer the Odors and Air Emissions specialty conference on April 6-9 in Phoenix, AZ. Aimed at facility owners/operators, researchers, and public administrators, it will include themes such as sampling methods, measuring, and estimating emissions; odor and emission control systems; collection system odors and corrosion; regulatory issues, sustainability, and greenhouse gasses; and odor control.

February 13, 2008 According to 2006 U.S. Recreational Boat Registrations Statistics report, nationwide, boat registrations declined 1.5% compared to previous year. Total of 12.7 million vessels were registered in U.S. in 2006, compared to 13 million in 2005. Florida received top ranking with total of 988,652 vessels registered, while California ranked second with 893,828. Remaining top 10 states for powerboat registrations in 2006 include Michigan, Wisconsin, Texas, New York, South Carolina, Ohio, and Illinois.

February 13, 2008 According to October Monthly Shipment Report released by NMMA, traditional powerboat shipments, including outboard, sterndrive, and inboard boats declined 13% on year-to-date basis through October 2007 in terms of unit volume and 11% in terms of wholesale dollars. Advanced data available through December 2007 indicates last year ended with traditional powerboat unit shipments down 14% and dollar shipments down 9%.

February 13, 2008 The RIA and the CSA will co-sponsor the North American Robot Safety Conference in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, from March 25-28, 2008. Safety features from the new ANSI/RIA/ISO 10218-1-2007 standard will be highlighted and the event will also look at the CSA Z434 robot safety standard - Industrial Robots and Robot Systems. The 6th annual spring safety conference will feature 4 days of training comprised of workshops, conference sessions, and a tabletop exhibit trade fair.

February 12, 2008 During ceremony at Kennedy Space Center's visitor complex, NASA Administrator Michael Griffin and Indian Space Research Organization Chairman G. Madhavan Nair signed framework agreement establishing terms for future cooperation in exploration and use of outer space for peaceful purposes. According to agreement, the two agencies will identify areas of mutual interest and seek to develop cooperative programs or projects in Earth and space science, exploration, and human space flight.

February 12, 2008 With $17.6 billion budget for fiscal year 2009, NASA will continue exploring solar system, building International Space Station, studying Earth from space, and conducting aeronautics research. Budget includes $5.78 billion for space shuttle and space station programs, $4.44 billion for science, $3.5 billion for development of manned spacecraft, and $447 million for aeronautics research. NASA has 55 science missions in space, with 15 additional missions scheduled for launch by end of 2009.

February 12, 2008 Targeting worksites where employees are at risk for developing silicosis, NEF compliance directive builds on policies and procedures instituted in 1996 Special Emphasis Program. It includes updated list of industries known to have overexposures to silica; detailed information on potential hazards linked to silica; guidance on calculating permissible exposure limits for dust containing respirable crystalline silica; and guidance on conducting silica-related inspections.

February 12, 2008 Effective Jan 24, 2008, OSHA Instruction CPL 02-02-074, Inspection Procedures for Chromium Standards compliance directive includes procedures for reviewing employer's air sampling records to determine exposure levels and guidance on how employers can implement controls to reduce exposure below permissible exposure limits. Directive also requires employers to maintain exposure and medical surveillance records, and provide hygiene areas to minimize employees' exposure to Cr (VI).

February 12, 2008 Promoting safety and management of chemical reactivity hazards, OSHA and Process Safety Alliance will provide participating members, small businesses, and public with process safety information, guidance, and access to training resources. Through Alliance, organizations will speak or participate in conferences and regional meetings; share information on best practices; and publicize results through training programs, seminars, and Web sites.