Conformity - November 2008 - (Page 11) NewsBreaks assigned to end users, up approximately 3% since December 2006; • The utilization rate for Incumbent Local Exchange Carriers increased to 50.7%, from 49.3% at the end of 2006; • The utilization rate for Cellular/PCS Carriers increased from 63.3% to 65%; • The practice of “thousandsblock polling” has now made it unnecessary to distribute about 337 million additional telephone numbers. Our readers can view a summary of the Commission’s Report on telephone number utilization at www.conformity.com/2311. IET Issues New Guide on EMC for Functional Safety Frequent Conformity contributor Keith Armstrong of Cherry Clough Consultants reports that the United Kingdom’s Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) has published an updated Guide on EMC for Functional Safety. EMC for Functional Safety applies risk management principles of modern functional safety engineering to EMC, and enables engineers to demonstrate that the design of a product or system is safe enough to operate over its anticipated lifecycle despite foreseeable exposure to electromagnetic disturbances. The IET’s new Guide provides a detailed but practical review of the IEC’s TS 61000-1-2, and describes cost-effective procedures for both management and engineering professionals on the safe use of electronic technologies in safetyimplicated products, systems or installations. Our readers can download a copy of the new Guide at www.conformity.com/2312. the 25 highest fines announced by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Commission (OSHA). According to ProPublica’s investigation, OSHA reportedly reduced each contested fine by an average of 65% after all appeals and negotiations. In addition, the investigation also found that 5 of the 25 cases took more than 10 years to settle. The report identified a number of reasons for the reduced fines. OSHA officials told ProPublica that a lack of staff and resources in the agency’s legal department often contributed to the reduced fines. In addition, vacancies on the OSHA Review Commission have often hindered the prompt resolution of cases, increasing the case backlog, and leading to negotiated settlements. Our readers can view the complete text of the ProPublica report through Salon. com at www.conformity.com/2313. Heirman Receives Lord Kelvin Award The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) has awarded this year’s prestigious Lord Kelvin award to industry veteran Don Heirman. The Lord Kelvin award was created in 1994 by the IEC to honor the British scientist and engineer who became the first president of the IEC in 1906. The award is granted to those individuals who have made an exceptional contribution to the IEC’s technical work in the field of electro-technology standardization for at least five years. Don has been active in the IEEE EMC Society since the mid-1970s, and with the IEC and International Special Committee on Radio Interference (CISPR) since 1984. He currently serves as CISPR chair. Previous recipients of the Lord Kelvin award who are also members of the IEEE EMC Society are Dr. Ralph Showers (awarded in 1998) and Dr. William Radasky (awarded in 2004). Which Cell Phones Are Safest? While debate continues on whether or not cell phones put users at risk for developing malignant brain tumors, cautious users may want to pay attention to the specific absorption rate (SAR) value of the cell phone that they use. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) currently limits the SAR value of any cell phone sold in the United States to 1.6 watts per kilogram (w/kg). The Commission has also posted a list of the SAR values of most cell phones at www.fcc.gov/cgb/sar. As of late September, the cell phone with the lowest SAR value was the LG KG 800, with 0.135 w/kg. The cell phone with the highest permissible SAR value was the Motorola V195s, at 1.6 w/kg. The popular Apple iPhone has a SAR value of 0.974 w/kg. Cell phone users can most easily reduce their exposure to radiation by using a hands-free headset, or using the speaker continued on page 5 november 2008 Conformity 11 OSHA Consistently Reduces Fines for Workplace Hazards A recent report posted on Salon.com charges that the federal agency mandated to ensure worker safety has routinely reduced proposed fines against employers, and downgraded potentially criminal violations to less severe civil penalties. The report, prepared by ProPublica (www.propublica.org), an independent web-based news organization, reviewed http://www.conformity.com/2311 http://www.conformity.com/2313 http://www.conformity.com/2312 http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/sar http://www.Salon.com http://www.propublica.org
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