Regulatory & Standards


SB 140, before the Nevada Senate, would make it a violation for any driver to read or send data while operating a motor vehicle.

Nevada Moves Closer to Texting, Hand-Held Ban

Several state residents supported two bills during a Senate committee's hearing on Tuesday. One bill would make it a violation for any driver to read or send data while operating a motor vehicle. The other would apply to minor drivers only.

Workers in Aqueduct Tunnel Exposed to Excess Noise Levels; Firm Fined $52,500

Employees were also exposed to fall hazards of up to 14 feet from a lack of fall protection and from using a ladder that did not extend at least 3 feet above the upper landing service for required stability.

Florida Distributor Fined Following Amputation of Worker's Arm

Penalties for the citations total $239,000.

The Alimak Hek MS ProMax mast climbing work platform (www.alimakhek.com) can reach 200 meters in height when anchored, according to the company.

Mast Climbing Industry Foresees Safety Gains

Several initiatives will make a positive impact this year, the co-chair of the Scaffold Industry Association's Mast Climbing Council has said. They include a revised design standard, training courses, materials from the SIA/OSHA alliance, and a CPWR white paper's recommendations.

Pizza Shell Maker Fined $195,200 for Recurring Hazards

The hazards included failing to install and maintain electrical equipment that was safe for a hazardous location, not replacing pressure relief devices on the oil separator for an ammonia refrigeration compressor, and failing to develop a written emergency action program.

The Aug. 4, 2012, effective date gives industry 18 months to implement the changes.

Canada Requiring New Food Allergen Labels

The regulations require specific allergens, sulfites above 10 ppm, and gluten sources be disclosed on a new label. They take effect Aug. 4, 2012, giving industry 18 months to implement the changes.

Six work groups, including a Chemical Emergencies work group, have held several meetings.

March 11 Meeting to Finalize National Conversation Action Agenda

The public meeting in Washington, D.C., will wrap up this phase of the project to strengthen the nation's approach to protecting the public's health from harmful chemical exposures.

Scaffolding Collapse Leads to Fla. Contractor's $69,168 Fine

In October 2010, two employees were painting the inside of a water tank when a suspended scaffold device anchored on the outer surface of a roof hole fell through the hole, causing one side of the scaffold to collapse.



Hearing Brings Hours Rule Showdown

The clock is ticking toward the March 4 deadline for public comments on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s proposed hours of service rule, which is vigorously opposed by the American Trucking Associations.

Disability Violations Lead to Delta's $2 Million Fine

This civil penalty is the largest penalty ever assessed against an airline by the Department of Transportation in a non-safety-related case.

Firm Fined $214,550 for Excessive Noise Levels, Lead Exposure

OSHA initiated an inspection of the facility in August 2010 in response to a complaint and alleges three willful, 18 serious, and two other-than-serious violations of health and safety standards.

Workplace Deaths Rise in Washington; Agriculture Tops the List

The deaths are the most reported since 2006 and a steep climb from the 65 fatalities reported in 2009.

OSHA Estimates LOTO Standard's Burden at 2.9 Million Hours

The estimated number of affected entities is 773,632, while the time to comply can be as much as 80 hours, according to the agency.

NTP Draft Reports to Be Reviewed April 5

The public meeting where a National Toxicology Program Peer Review Panel will review three draft Technical Reports, including one for acrylamide, will be webcast.

Electrical, Repeat Hazards Lead to Mass. Hospital's $63,000 Fine

OSHA found that some hospital employees were exposed to potential electric shock, burns, arc flash incidents, and electrocution while changing circuit breakers on live electrical panels.

DOL Sues Kinder Morgan for Failing to Pay Overtime to 4,500 Workers

DOL claims the company failed to pay more than $1 million in overtime compensation to approximately 4,500 current and former workers. "We will vigorously defend our pay practices in court and expect to be vindicated," the company responded.

Employer payment is required for chemical-resistant gloves, aprons, and clothing when it is used to comply with an OSHA standard.

OSHA Updates Enforcement Guidance for PPE

The new document is sure to help employers because it lists and links to the standards that require them to provide PPE and links to a list of relevant OSHA interpretation letters.

U.S. Labor Secretary Hilda Solis

FY2012 Budget Request: $583 Million for OSHA, $384 Million for MSHA

Ahead of hearings this week by the U.S. House Education & the Workforce Committee, Labor Department leaders explained the details of the administration's request.

Federal Occupational Health is celebrating its 65th anniversary in 2011.

Federal Occupational Health Turns 65

Now serving more than 1.8 million federal workers annually, FOH was created in August 1946 when President Truman signed an amendment to the Public Health Service Act.

U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Texas

New Bill Filed to Change Positive Train Control Mandate

Calling the current Federal Railroad Administration requirement "an example of regulatory excess that is costing America's businesses billions of dollars with no obvious benefits," sponsoring Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison wants to ensure the mandate applies to the lines that will be used in 2015, not 2008 traffic patterns.

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