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Study: Why wood pallets are better for the environment than plastic
Scott E. Rupp Distribution & WarehousingIf you've ever wondered whether wood or plastic shipping pallets are more eco-friendly, the fight is over, and a winner has been declared. Wood is better for the environment. This is according to Penn State researchers, who, after conducting a series of detailed comparisons, say that the shipping pallets made of wood are slightly more environmentally friendly and sustainable than those made of plastic. "Few people realize the significance of this issue — there are about 700 million pallets produced and recycled each year in the United States alone," said Chuck Ray, associate professor of ecosystem science and management.
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US employers add 225,000 jobs; unemployment ticks up to 3.6%
Seth Sandronsky Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementIn January, U.S. nonfarm payrolls grew by a total of 225,000 after December's gain of 145,000, while the rate of unemployment rose to 3.6% from 3.5% the previous month, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. In 2019, the average monthly gain of jobs was 175,000. The total number of unemployed persons rose to 5.9 million in January from 5.8 million in December. January's data showed that unemployment among major worker groups experienced little or no change versus December's numbers.
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Coronavirus: A reminder for employers to have contingency plans for health…
D. Albert Brannen Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementThe recent outbreak of coronavirus in China reminds us that employers need to take certain actions to be prepared for public health crises in general. This article outlines some of the basic steps that employers can take now to get ready for a rapid spread of flu, coronavirus or some other pandemic threat. For example, you should strive to keep your safety policies and practices up to date. Consider what policies or practices you can adopt now that may come into play if there is a pandemic or major outbreak.
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Workplace fatalities are at their highest levels since 2008. What’s…
Terri Williams Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementIn December 2019, the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics released workplace injury data from 2018. There were 5,250 fatal workplace injuries, which represents a 2% increase over 2017. This is also the highest amount since 2008, and it should be noted that from 2009-15, workplace fatalities were in the 4,500 to 4,600 range. Two particular causes of workplace fatalities increased significantly. Deaths from unintentional overdoses as a result of nonmedical consumption of drugs or alcohol while at work increased 12%. Work-related suicides increased by 11%.
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Advocating for the aftermarket at HDAW 2020
Bianca Gibson ManufacturingThe recent Heavy Duty Aftermarket Week, held for the first time at the Gaylord Texan in Grapevine, Texas, gathered aftermarket professionals nationwide for an impactful event. With a captivating keynote delivered by "Shark Tank's" Daymond John, multiple informational sessions and a lively showroom, attendees were given plenty of avenues for education and inspiration. For those eager for industry insight, the Heavy Duty Manufacturers Association hosted "Chasing the Aftermarket" on Jan. 26. The meeting was a TED Talk-style presentation, delivered by four aftermarket thought leaders.
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Third-party suppliers can jeopardize your small business
Patrick Gleeson Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementOne of the less-glamorous aspects of contemporary business is the essential role played by third-party suppliers. Their increasing use allows businesses to rapidly scale up to meet increased product demand. Often, they can supply parts or processes for far less than it would cost a company to produce them in-house. But what is becoming increasingly understood is that these third-party suppliers can also threaten your business — that they present several different kinds of third-party supply risk.
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US, China sign partial trade pact, but economic danger remains
Seth Sandronsky Civil & GovernmentThe nearly two-year trade war between the U.S. and China has cooled down since President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping signed a "phase one" pact to reduce hostilities. On one hand, the pact calls for China to buy an additional $200 billion in U.S. goods over the next 24 months. That total includes $40 billion of American agriculture. For the short-term, there is long-awaited relief for soybean farmers in the Midwest. Is it time to pop the champagne corks? Not exactly.
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4 ways fully connected plants benefit your workforce
Tipton Loo ManufacturingNearly 50 years ago, a few caffeine-dependent students in Carnegie Mellon's computer science department built a light sensor and software to sense the availability of cold soft drinks in a Coke vending machine and connected it to the ARPANET, where they could see the status remotely, giving birth to the "internet of things." But few could have predicted how widespread the technology would become. It's only a matter of time before the internet of things transforms the industrial sector as well.
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Boeing, transportation sector face dangerous manufacturing ‘double…
Michelle R. Matisons ManufacturingThe verdict is in on dismissed Boeing CEO Dennis Muilenburg's culpability in the mishandling that led to deadly 737 Max jet crashes in October 2018 and March 2019. Recently released emails combine with Muilenburg's departure to keep Boeing in the headlines. Muilenburg testified before Congress last October, and his departure sees him walking away with anywhere between $62 million and $80 million in compensation. This is controversial, considering Boeing crash victims are, by comparison, receiving a meager $50 million from the company.
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Infographic: 15 things that can be hacked in your life
Christian Castillo Science & TechnologyBefore, all we had to do was install antivirus software, and we'd be safe from anything online. But thanks to the internet of things, computers and credit cards aren't the only things that can be hacked. Everything from cranes on a construction site to the fridge in your home can be accessed by a malicious hacker. Education is the first line of defense, however, and this infographic will show you a list of some of the most hackable things in your life right now.
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