Registration is now open for the 43rd Annual Conference on Explosives & Blasting Technique to be held Jan. 29 – Feb. 1, 2017, at the Caribe Royale Orlando Hotel in Orlando, Fla.

As many as 1,600 blasters, manufacturers, government officials and suppliers gather from all over the world to gain new insights and to form new business alliances. Participation will be strong as the largest conference of its kind in the explosives industry comes together in Orlando.

The 2017 program includes a dynamic education program featuring technical sessions, poster session and workshops combined with exhibits showcasing the latest technology. In addition to the full conference, the Blasters Weekend Package, commencing on Saturday, Jan. 28, will include the popular Blasters Training Seminar, the Blasters R Us Video Roundup, a regulatory panel discussion and more.

The ISEE is committed to keeping standards current with the best available technology and procedures. Existing standards are periodically reviewed and modified. The current standard under consideration is the Performance Standards for Blasting Seismographs 2011 Edition.

A draft standard is available below for public comment. Written comments that are received by Dec. 31, 2016, will be addressed by the standards committee in writing prior to revision of the standard. Visit the ISEE website to download the draft.

Please join the Department of Homeland Security, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Department of Labor Monday, October 24, 2016, for a webinar on Executive Order 13650: Improving Chemical Facility Safety and Security (EO). This webinar will provide an update on actions items since the June 6, 2014 release of "Executive Order 13650: Actions to Improve Chemical Facility Safety and Security - A Shared Commitment."

They will discuss progress on strengthening community planning and preparedness, enhancing Federal operational coordination, improving data management, modernizing policies and regulations, incorporating stakeholder feedback, and developing best practices. Additionally, we will provide information on next steps.

There were 24 mining deaths across the United States between October 2015 and September 2016, the Labor Department reported Tuesday. That time frame represents the department's fiscal year.

It's down 30% from the previous low set in 2013 when 34 miners died and down sharply from 74 deaths a decade ago in 2006. There are about 181,000 workers in coal, metal and non-metal mining.

Better safety equipment, stricter enforcement of regulations and improved planning practices have led to the decline in deaths, industry experts say. Those reasons overshadow the decline in mining workers as causes for the drop in deaths, they argue.

A military explosives manufacturer in Wisconsin is facing nearly $143,000 in OSHA penalties, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.

U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration inspection found R. Stresau Laboratory Inc. failed to implement a combination of engineering, work practice and respiratory protection controls.

A cooling tower at the Big Sandy Power Plant that had been idled when EPA guidelines led to the closure of Unit 2 was recently imploded. The Unit 2 cooling tower, measuring 395 feet in diameter at its base and reaching 370 feet into the sky, came tumbling down at 9 a.m. as Bob Armstrong, a retired 30-year employee of the plant, pushed the button that triggered the blast. Some 500 pounds of explosives were used to bring down the tower.

Joy Global Inc. said Wednesday that the company’s shareholders have overwhelmingly approved the proposed $3.7 billion acquisition of the Milwaukee surface and underground mining equipment maker by the U.S. unit of Japan’s Komatsu Ltd.

The proposed acquisition of Joy Global (NYSE: JOY) by Komatsu America Corp. of Peoria, Ill., was announced July 21. Under terms of the transaction, Joy Global stockholders will receive $28.30 per share in cash for each outstanding share of common stock held at the time of the closing of the transaction.

Caterpillar said on Monday that CEO Doug Oberhelman will retire in 2017 as the heavy equipment maker navigates a lengthy downturn in its core businesses. He will be replaced with Jim Umpleby, a long-time company insider.

As CEO, he will step down on Dec. 31. He will stay on as the board’s executive chairman until March 31.

His departure from Peoria, Ill.-based Caterpillar comes as a commodity slump has hurt its customers in the mining and energy sectors. In addition, construction equipment sales suffered setbacks as weak crude prices sapped building demand in oil-rich countries.

The amazing rally in thermal coal reached a whole new level Tuesday after Australian spot prices hit $100 per tonne for the first time since 2012.

While some experts have indicated current prices won’t last, others such as Indonesia’ Coal and Minerals Director Bambang Gatot believe they will stay as high as they are now until at least the end of the first quarter of 2017.

The ISEE Board of Directors Election is now underway. Eligible voters, all members in good standing with the exception of student members, can cast votes until Dec. 1, 2016.

Eligible voters with an email on file should have received an email with step-by-step instructions for casting a vote online. Members who don’t have an email address on file will soon be receiving print ballots in the mail.

Elected officers and directors for 2017 will take office at the 43rd Annual Conference on Explosives and Blasting Technique to be held Jan. 29 – Feb. 1, 2017 in Orlando, Fla.

Your opinion matters. Take part in this year’s election. For more information, contact us at isee@isee.org.

Did you know the ISEE has an online career center that offers discounts to members looking to post jobs? Whether you’re a student looking for an internship or a business looking for a seasoned professional in the explosives industry, the ISEE job board, located at the ISEE website, is a great way to get noticed.

And one of the best parts is that it’s free for job seekers. Upload your resume today to get the attention of job posters or browse the job board for the latest openings. Visit the career center now.

Oct. 20, 2016
Countryside, Ill.

Nov. 3, 2016

Nov. 7-8, 2016
Queensland, Australia

Nov. 10-11, 2016
Charles Town, W. Va.

Nov. 15-17, 2016
Huntsville, Ala.
Email Dean Nichols at dnichols@apt-research.com for more information.

Nov. 15-16, 2016
Western Australia, Australia

Nov. 28-30, 3026
Ontario, Canada
Email Dean Nichols at dnichols@apt-research.com for more information.