G20 Countries Finance Coal Projects in Developing Countries Despite Commitment to Paris Accord

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A number of G20 countries, including China, Japan, South Korea and Germany, are continuing to fund highly polluting coal mining projects despite their commitments to the Paris Accord which in theory obligates them to lower their carbon footprint. None of these G20-funded coal projects are based within those countries’ borders, however; they are all located in developing nations such as Indonesia, Russia, Vietnam and Bangladesh, technically contributing to the developing nations’ carbon footprints instead of those of the G20 countries.

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Same ACM Cladding Used in Grenfell Tower Found in 44 Scottish Schools

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In the wake of the tragic burning of Grenfell Tower in London in June, the Ministerial Working Group for building and fire safety was established to oversee a review of fire safety regulatory frameworks across the UK. The Working Group reported on 17 July that they had found the same type of aluminium composite material (ACM) cladding used in Grenfell Tower in 44 schools across Scotland. Scottish building regulations forbid the use of this type of ACM cladding in high-rise buildings but allow it for other buildings, including schools.

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Safe Work Australia Shines Spotlight on Quad Bike Fatalities

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In the lead-up to national Farm Safety Week which began on 17 July, Safe Work Australia (Australia’s federal occupational health and safety authority) published statistics and recommendations regarding quad bike safety. Also known as all-terrain vehicles or ATVs, quad bike accidents have led to a staggering 115 fatalities in Australia since 2011, of which two-thirds occurred on farms.

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IAEA Promotes Cradle-to-Grave Management of Radioactive Sources in June Meetings

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In support of its recently adopted Plan INT9182, “Sustaining Cradle-to-Grave Control of Radioactive Sources,” the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) held two meetings for representatives of IAEA member states this June, including a training session on national inventories for radioactive sources and a discussion on Disused Sealed Radioactive Sources safety management.

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Canada Labour Program Amends Occupational Exposure Limits to Grain Dust and Flour Dust

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In a publication of the Canada Gazette on 10 June, Canada’s Department of Employment and Social Development Labour Program (a.k.a. the Labour Program) proposed amendments to the country’s occupational exposure limits (OELs) for grain dust and flour dust, to take effect within the month. For grain dust, a decrease from 10 mg/m3 to 4 mg/m3; for flour dust, an increase from 0.5 mg/m3 to 3 mg/m3.

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