Regulatory & Standards


OSHA Pounds Pilgrim's Pride Chicken for Combustible Dust Hazards

"Pilgrim's Pride continues to allow combustible dust to accumulate on motors and electrical equipment, causing the potential for a fire or explosion," said Kurt Petermeyer, OSHA's area director in Mobile, Ala.

U.S. Chamber officials warn that the proposed flight crew rest rule would make domestic carriers uncompetitive while not improving safety.

U.S. Chamber Opposes FAA Rest Rule

The organization's senior vice president of labor law, immigration & employee benefits sent a letter to OIRA's Cass Sunstein asking him "to ensure that the FAA develops a more narrowly focused and flexible rule."

Data Sharing Behind DOL App Development Contests

Two contests with a total of $70,000 in prizes available were announced July 14. One is for apps to increase the public's awareness of data from OSHA and the Wage and Hour Division.

MSHA Seeks to Collect $235,455 in Unpaid Penalties from North Carolina, Texas Mines

"Mine operators cannot be permitted to violate mine safety laws and simply refuse to pay penalties assessed for those violations," said Joseph A. Main, assistant secretary of labor for mine safety and health.

OSHA Prescribes Walgreens $104,500 in Fines for Struck-By Hazards

This employer failed to address common and basic hazards posed by blocked exits, falls from heights, and being struck by a heavy gas cylinder," said Bill Fulcher, director of OSHA's Atlanta-East Area Office.

The directive updates the Subpart T – Commercial Diving Operations directive issued by OSHA in 2006.

OSHA Updates Commercial Diving Directive

Effective June 13, CPL 02-00-151 references current editions of other OSHA instructions and the Association of Diving Contractors International's Consensus Standard for Commercial Diving.

Crane Collapse Leads to Florida Tree Trimmer's $70,000 Fine

OSHA opened an investigation after a February incident in which an overloaded 30-ton crane fell during the removal of a 40-foot tree behind a commercial building.

Illinois Grocer Busted for Process Safety Management Violations

OSHA has cited the company for 13 safety violations with $75,000 in proposed penalties.



CDC Releases Infection Prevention Guide to Promote Safe Outpatient Care

The guide states that all outpatient practices should ensure that at least one individual with specific training in infection control is on staff or regularly available. This individual should be involved in developing a written infection control policy and have regular communication with health care providers to address specific issues or concerns.

Two Workers Suffer Amputations at Metal Stamping Facility, Firm Fined $214,830

"T & D Metal Products failed to ensure machine guarding and safety procedures were in place to protect employees, even after a worker was injured. This negligence contributed to a second worker being injured on the same type of equipment eight days later," said Tom Bielema, OSHA's area director in Peoria.

This Macarthur Coal photo shows work at its Coppabella Mine. Macarthur, based in Brisbane, announced July 11 that Peabody Energy and ArcelorMittal S.A. have submitted a takeover bid for a controlling interest in Macarthur.

Australia Updating Mine Safety Regs

The mining sector is a high-risk industry responsible for 2 percent of all serious worker's compensation claims and some of the highest injury and fatality rates nationwide.

DOT: Enforcement Cuts Distracted Driving

“These findings show that strong laws, combined with highly visible police enforcement, can significantly reduce dangerous texting and cell phone use behind the wheel,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.

$354,000 Fine Lodged Against Trenching Company

OSHA claims the company has a long history of violations.

ASSE Releases New Steel Erection Standard for Construction, Demolition Operations

One of the most important revisions to the standard for 2011 is the emphasis on preplanning or building safety into the construction of steel structures.

An awareness campaign is planned to ensure the 2013 registration deadline is met.

First ECHA Report Says REACH Succeeding

Fears that REACH was too complex and set overly demanding deadlines for industry and regulators were overblown, says the first required report on how the REACH and CLP regulations are working.

Most types of injuries and illnesses will have to be reported online, HSE said.

HSE Shifts Injury Reporting Online

The exception is that businesses still will be able to report fatal and major incidents and injuries by phone, however.

OSHA Nails Home Depot for Failing to Remove Damaged Equipment from Service

"The Home Depot previously has been cited for failing to remove damaged safety equipment from use and should be familiar with OSHA's regulations and requirements," said Diane Turek, OSHA's area director in Des Plaines, Ill.

The objective of the directive is to achieve the safest possible working environment by preventing injuries to workers caused by all medical sharps.

Clock Running on EU Sharps Directive

By May 11, 2013, member states are required to have requirements in effect that implement Directive 2010/32/EU - prevention from sharp injuries in the hospital and healthcare sector.

Texas Bakery Fined $199,600 for Hazardous Chemicals Violations

OSHA cited the same company in 2006 for similar violations at Plant 2 of the China Grove facility with proposed penalties of $78,300. The company also was cited in April 2011 with proposed penalties of $229,400 following an amputation incident and multiple inspections at the two facilities.

NHTSA Launches Hybrid, Electric Vehicle Assessment for Pedestrian Safety Act

The action, which is mandated by the Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act of 2010, will help NHTSA lay the groundwork for a proposed rulemaking to help pedestrians detect the presence of quieter vehicles.

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