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August 20, 2010

Senator John Pippy E-News

Reminder for Drivers, Students of Shared Safety Concerns
as New School Year Approaches 

Harrisburg – With the rumble of school buses soon heralding back-to-school season in Pennsylvania, PennDOT today reminded motorists and students to watch out for one another. 

"Back-to-school can be an exciting and distracting time for children, which means motorists need to be extra careful; especially at peak times for school buses and pedestrians," said PennDOT Secretary Allen D. Biehler, P.E. "Motorists need to watch for students who are boarding and exiting buses, obey school crossing guards and follow all traffic laws regarding stopped school buses and school zones." 

Pennsylvania’s school bus stopping law requires motorists approaching a school bus with its red lights flashing and stop arm extended to stop at least 10 feet from the bus. Motorists approaching from all directions are required to stop. 

However, motorists who encounter a school bus stopping on the opposite side of a divided highway are not required to stop; lanes of a divided highway are clearly separated by a divider, such as concrete barriers or grassy medians. 

Motorists convicted of violating Pennsylvania’s school bus stopping law face a $250 fine, five points on their record and a 60-day license suspension. 

Motorists must also exercise caution in school zones. Schools are hubs of pedestrian and vehicle traffic, so motorists are required to slow down to the posted speed limit of 15 miles per hour in school zones. Violations carry a fine and three points on the driver’s record. 

Students also share responsibility for remaining safe. PennDOT asks parents to discuss with students the following school bus safety tips: 

• Get to the bus stop five minutes early to avoid having to run to catch the bus;  
• If crossing the street to board the school bus, be sure to look LEFT-RIGHT-LEFT to see that all cars have stopped;  
• When waiting for the school bus, stay at least five giant steps away from the curb or roadway to avoid traffic;  
• Avoid the "School Bus Danger Zone" by staying at least 10 giant steps away from the bus on all sides so the bus driver can see you. If you drop something near or under a bus, be sure to tell the driver before trying to retrieve it;  
• NEVER walk behind the school bus;  
• When getting on and off the bus, secure drawstrings and other loose objects so they cannot get caught in the handrail or door;  
• Talk quietly while on the bus so the driver is not distracted; and  
• Remain seated at all times and wait for the bus to fully stop before standing up to exit. 

Student pedestrians should avoid using cell phones or wearing headphones to prevent distractions while walking near traffic. 

For more tips, visit the School Bus Safety link under the Traffic Safety Information Center on PennDOT’s highway safety website at www.DriveSafePA.org. 

The website also features an animated illustration of the school bus stopping law. 

Recall Expands in Salmonella Outbreak in Shell Eggs

Consumers Should Visit www.eggsafety.org
to See Affected Brands & Identification Information 

FDA is collaborating with Federal and state partners to investigate a nationwide increase of Salmonella Enteritidis (SE) infections. Partners include the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and state public health and agriculture officials. Joint FDA/CDC field investigation teams are working to identify potential sources of SE infection in shell eggs.   

Investigation of the Outbreak:

 Since May 2010, CDC has identified a nationwide, four-fold increase in the number of SE isolates through PulseNet, the national subtyping network made up of state and local public health laboratories and federal food regulatory laboratories. CDC received reports of approximately 200 SE cases every week during late June and early July. Normally, CDC has received an average of some 50 reports of SE illness each week for the past five years. Many states have also reported increases of this pattern since May 2010.  

Epidemiologic investigations conducted by public health officials in California, Colorado, and Minnesota have revealed several restaurants or events where more than one person ill with this type of SE has eaten. Preliminary information from these investigations suggests that shell eggs are the likely source of infections in many of these restaurants or events.

FDA, CDC, and state partners conducted a traceback investigation and found many of these restaurants or events received shell eggs from a single firm, Wright County Egg, in Galt, Iowa. FDA is currently conducting an extensive investigation at the firm in Iowa. The investigation involves sampling, records review and looking for potential sources of contamination, such as feed. As the investigation continues, updates will be made available.

On August 13, 2010, Wright County Egg of Galt, Iowa, conducted a nationwide voluntary recall of shell eggs that it had shipped since May 19, 2010 to food wholesalers, distribution centers and foodservice companies in California, Illinois, Missouri, Colorado, Nebraska, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Iowa. These companies distribute nationwide.

The recalled shell eggs are packaged under the following brand names: Lucerne, Albertson, Mountain Dairy, Ralph’s, Boomsma’s, Sunshine, Hillandale, Trafficanda, Farm Fresh, Shoreland, Lund, Dutch Farms and Kemps.

Visit www.eggsafety.orgfor detailed information on recalled eggs and instructions how to identify whether or not your eggs are affected. 

State and local partners are also investigating human Salmonella infections in Arizona, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maryland, North Carolina, Nevada, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and Texas.

Information for Consumers:

• Don’t eat recalled eggs or products containing recalled eggs. Recalled eggs might still be in grocery stores, restaurants, and consumers' homes. Consumers who have recalled eggs should discard them or return them to their retailer for a refund. Individuals who think they might have become ill from eating recalled eggs should consult their health care providers.
• Keep shell eggs refrigerated at ≤45˚ F (≤7˚ C) at all times.    
• Discard cracked or dirty eggs. 
• Wash hands, cooking utensils, and food preparation surfaces with soap and water after contact with raw eggs.  
• Eggs should be cooked until both the white and the yolk are firm and eaten promptly after cooking.
• Do not keep eggs warm or at room temperature for more than 2 hours.   
• Refrigerate unused or leftover egg- containing foods promptly.  
• Avoid eating raw eggs.
• Avoid restaurant dishes made with raw or undercooked, unpasteurized eggs. Restaurants should use pasteurized eggs in any recipe (such as Hollandaise sauce or Caesar salad dressing) that calls for raw eggs.
• Consumption of raw or undercooked eggs should be avoided, especially by young children, elderly persons, and person with weakened immune systems or debilitating illness.

Information for Retail Food Stores and Food Service Establishments:

• In retail and food service establishments, pasteurized egg products or pasteurized in-shell eggs are recommended in place of pooled eggs or raw or undercooked shell eggs. If used, raw shell eggs should be fully cooked. If shell eggs are served undercooked, a consumer advisory should be posted in accordance with the Food Code.
• In hospitals, nursing homes, adult or childcare facilities, and senior centers, pasteurized egg products or pasteurized in-shell eggs should be used in place of pooled eggs or raw or undercooked eggs.
• Eggs should be purchased or received from a distributor refrigerated and stored refrigerated at ≤ 45˚ F (≤7˚ C) at all times.

Information for Shell Egg Producers:

• Flock-based SE-control programs that include routine microbiologic testing are mandatory for producers with more than 50,000 hens, as of July 9, 2010, under FDA’s egg safety rule. 
• This new regulation is part of a coordinated strategy between the FDA and USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS). The FDA and the FSIS will continue to work closely together to ensure that egg safety measures are consistent, coordinated, and complementary.
• FDA continues to work with United Egg Producers and other industry organizations to educate producers and those who store and/or transport eggs about the new requirements. 

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

www.eggsafety.org – Info on egg recall/How to determine whether or not your eggs are included in recall.
Fresh Eggs: Playing It Safe – FoodSafety.gov, the gateway to Federal food safety information        Playing It Safe, What Consumers Need to Know – Information from the FDA

Dress for Success is an international not-for-profit organization offering services designed to help clients gain and maintain employment. Their mission is to promote the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support and the career development tools to help woman thrive in work and life.

DFS Pittsburgh is a PA WORKWEAR provider – a program that started as a pilot program in 2007 between the PA Department of Public Welfare and Dress for Success of South Central PA. Although they are most known for their clothing program DFS Pittsburgh operates three cornerstone programs that aim to assist women in crisis and/or at a time of critical life transition:

Professional Clothing Program: supplies women with suitable interview and work clothing. Clothing is provided not just for administrative positions but for other professions such as hospitality, health, food, construction, and medical professions.

Professional Women’s Group (PWG): In order to help women retain their jobs and grow their careers, PWG members meet monthly and meetings consist of workshops and peer support as job retention and career development tools for at-risk women.

Career Center: provides clients with the resources to conduct a self-directed job search and offers workshops on job search skills. A series of services provide women with computer workstations, workshops aimed to acquire job search and interview skills, and one-on-one assistance with resume writing.

For more information on these and other programs and services or to contact an office in your county please refer to the following website: www.dressforsuccesspgh.org

TRANSPORTATION LOAN PROGRAM

If the cost of purchasing or repairing a car may be challenging to you or a family member, especially with low income or poor credit, the Transportation Loan Program was designed to provide a solution by offering loans at an affordable interest rate. These loans are available through the Ways to Work program (for parents with dependent children) or the Keys to Success program (for individuals).

The Transportation Loan Program could assist you in obtaining loans up to $1,000 for car repairs or up to $6,000 for a car purchase.

Applicants must also:

• Have a valid PA driver’s license.
• Currently be employed for 3 months for at least 20 hours per week.
• Meet income guidelines.
• Be able and willing to repay the loan in a specified period of time.

 For more information on services and eligibility requirements please refer to the following website: www.fswp.org  

Please click on the following link for a preview of the brochure.