Regulatory & Standards


OSHA Soaks Texas Launderer in Fines for Fall Hazards

OSHA began its inspection June 10 at the company's worksite and found employees operating a forklift without wearing a seat belt, as well as wet floors in passageways, aisles, and laundry work areas.

Comment Period Under Way for Australia's Model Regs

The deadline to comment on the 582-page document is April 4, 2011, and government safety agencies are urging employers and workers to participate as Australia moves toward harmonized regulations.

New Standard Released for Testing Hard Surface Flooring

The National Floor Safety Institute announced the publication of ANSI/NFSI B101.1. For the first time, property owners can be held accountable for the slip resistance of their floors, said NFSI founder Russ Kendzior.

Three Mass. Contractors Cited $154,700 for Cave-In Hazards

"The size of these proposed fines reflects the gravity of these hazards and the fact that two of the employers knew cave-in protection and a ladder were required, yet refused to provide these vital safeguards," said Rosemarie Ohar, OSHA's New Hampshire area director.

On hand for the discussions were (from left to right): Brian Galonek, Beth Russert, Kevin Cronin, Heidi Chatfield, Greg Canose, Michelle M. Smith, and George Delta.

Incentive Legislation Campaign Promotes Tax Changes to Reduce Health Costs

Incentive Federation Executive Director George Delta explained that upcoming tax reform and health care issues on the horizon for the 112th Congress that begins in January could provide a workable venue to promote the use of incentives as a means to reduce health care costs.

Downwind Coal Plant Pollution Affects Labor, Insurance, and Productivity Costs

Report sponsors say that the economic benefits, including health benefits, will far outweigh the costs of complying with EPA's proposed Transport Rule.

OSHA Hammers Furniture Maker for PPE, Training Violations

OSHA began its inspection in June, resulting in the issuance of two repeat violations and two serious citations.

No Change in 2011 FAA, PHMSA Testing Rates

Both agencies are telling employers their minimum random drug testing percentage rates will stay at 25 percent.



Accidents/incidents occurring at highway-rail grade crossings would not be factored in unless they were caused by failure to comply with a railroad operating rule or a federal law or regulation.

NPRM Spells Out Railroads' Risk Reduction Plans

Each Class I railroad, each railroad with an inadequate safety record, and each passenger railroad would have to submit a plan to the Federal Railroad Administration for its approval and then implement it.

Ohio Steel Manufacturer Fined for Fall Hazards, Faulty Equipment

As a result of the June inspection by OSHA, the company was issued two willful citations with proposed fines of $140,000 and four serious citations with proposed penalties of $16,000.

U.S. Rep. John Kline, R-Minn., is now chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee.

Mine Safety Bill Defeated, Committee Chairman Confirmed

Rep. John Kline, R-Minn., the current ranking member, was selected Wednesday as Education and Labor Committee chairman. Labor Secretary Hilda Solis strongly critized the bill's defeat.

Sony sells the XA-R800C wide-view, rear-view camera for use in trucks, cars, and SUVs.

Backover Technology to Be Phased In, NHTSA Says

The agency believes the best currently available technology is rear-view video cameras, but its proposal leaves manufacturers free to use other means to achieve visibility by drivers of the area immediately behind their vehicles.

From 1965 to 2006, there were about 2.2 million tank car shipments of chlorine, and only 788 accidents involving them occurred.

Many Questions About Railroad Escape Respirator Proposal

The proposal published by the Federal Railroad Administration is unworkable as written because it would require performance that currently approved escape respirators aren't tested for, ISEA and others said in their comments.

New York's Koch Theater Fined for Asbestos, Fall, and Crushing Hazards

David H. Koch Theater reportedly failed to post asbestos warning signs in the promenade area, ensure clear exits, and guard employees from hazards associated with raising the stage.

MSHA Settles with Oklahoma Mine Operator for $375,000

On Nov. 16, 2007, Jack Ward, a 66-year-old truck driver, was fatally injured when the haulage truck he was operating backed over the edge of a spoil dump, where waste materials from the surface coal mine were deposited.

The document contains suggested formats and procedures for fall prevention, hazard identification, and more.

Tower Erectors' Group Updates Safety Guide

The updated document, available to NATE members, contains 18 sections. Everything from hazard identification to RF exposure, emergency response, training, and the HazCom Standard is covered.

N.Y. Contractor Cited Following Worker's Fatal 50-Foot Fall

As a result of its inspection, OSHA issued Roth Metal Works one willful citation for failing to stabilize the steel beams and four serious citations for the lack of fall protection and scaffold hazards.

Updated Mower Manual Published by AEM

The manual covers current industry practices in machine design and construction, as well as safety best practices for equipment preparation, operation, maintenance, and transport.

A number of employees nationwide who have been exposed to diacetyl have developed the serious respiratory illness which in some cases has resulted in patients being placed on lung transplant wait lists or dying.

California Becomes First State to Set Safety Guidelines for Diacetyl

The new standard requires employers covered by the standard to create a regulated area for each process using diacetyl, unless the process is enclosed. Employers must also provide safeguards for employees who work with diacetyl at certain concentrations.

ATSDR Issues 21st Toxicological Profiles Set

One new final toxicological profile for chlorine and six updated ones of priority hazardous substances are in this new set.

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