Regulatory & Standards


EU OSHA Seeking New Director

Applications are due by Dec. 7. The vacancy notice posted Nov. 9 indicates the person who is hired will be expected to start work by Sept. 15, 2011.

Travel Agency Fined for Violating Price Advertising Rules

"When people buy tickets for air travel, they have the right to know how much they will have to pay," said DOT Secretary Ray LaHood. "We will continue to take enforcement action when our price advertising rules are violated."

Warning the employee or health care provider, either in writing or orally, not to provide genetic information creates a "safe harbor" for the employer.

EEOC Issues Final GINA Title II Regulations

Employers have been required to comply with the Genetic Information Non-Discrimination Act of 2008 since Nov. 21, 2009.

Masonry Block Manufacturer Fined $119,625 for Machine Guarding, More

OSHA's inspection of the masonry block manufacturing company's facility, initiated under OSHA's site-specific targeting program addressing employers with high injury and illness rates, found 16 serious violations and one repeat violation.

The rule says employers must perform a pre-erection inspection of tower cranes.

Cranes and Derricks Standard Takes Effect

Nov. 8 is a rarity on the safety and health calendar: An OSHA final rule became effective as of that date, having been published Aug. 9, 2010.

Colorado Commercial Carrier Cited for Violating Hours-of-Service Rules

In the final settlement agreement issued by FMCSA on Oct. 7, 2010, the agency cited JBS Carriers for 102 counts of falsifying drivers’ hours-of-service records and three counts of allowing drivers with a suspended, revoked, or canceled commercial driver’s license to operate a motor vehicle.

NFPA Seeks Public Input on New Automotive Ambulance Standard

The purpose of this document is to specify minimum requirements, performance parameters, and essential criteria for the design of ground ambulances.

Plumbing Company Penalized for Illegal Sales of Refrigerant

According to EPA’s New England office, Robinson Plumbing and Heating Supply Co. sold ozone-depleting refrigerants to non-certified technicians at two separate sales outlets in Massachusetts, in violation of the Clean Air Act.



MSHA Proposes its First-Ever Injunction against Mine

On numerous occasions, MSHA officials have attempted to resolve serious safety issues at Massey-owned Freedom Energy, including meetings with upper mine management over recurring roof problems, ventilation and dust control issues. The inspections, citations, and meetings with mine management have not resulted in changes in behavior.

ISEA Publishes New Chemical Protective Clothing Standard

It is the first U.S. standard to address the protective apparel needs of workers who require protection from chemical hazards every day, not just in emergency situations.

Lead fishing weights offered by The Grateful Lead Sinker Company of Sopchoppy, Fla. (www.gratefullead.com/)

EPA Won't Ban Lead Fishing Gear

EPA announced Nov. 4 that it has denied a petition seeking a ban on manufacturing, using, and processing of lead in fishing gear.

Tree Trimming Company Cited $146,000 for Electrical Hazards

OSHA issued a willful citation with a proposed penalty of $70,000 for failing to ensure a tree-trimming company’s employees were trained and qualified to work near energized transmission and distribution lines.

The rule addresses fatigue among control room gas and hazardous liquid pipeline controllers who use supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems.

Pipeline Control Room Management Workshop Set

The Nov. 17 event hosted by the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration and the National Association of Pipeline Safety Representatives will help companies comply with PHMSA's new fatigue management rule.

Contractors Cited Following Scaffold Collapse that Injured Six Workers

OSHA's inspection found that the safety chains designed to hold the scaffold platform bridge in place were no longer on the scaffold. While it could not be established who removed the safety chains, OSHA determined that Apple Roofing did not have a competent person, one with the knowledge and authority to identify and correct such a hazardous condition, inspect the scaffold before using it.

Chevron Fined $423,600 for Salt Lake City Pipeline Failure

The pipeline involved in the failure leaked crude oil for more than ten hours before Chevron received notification of the failure from the local fire department, according to PHMSA.

The employees would not be shielded from discipline or an FRA enforcement action if an identifiable hazmat spill is involved.

Amtrak to Pilot Close Call Reporting System

The passenger rail company and two of its unions have agreed to conduct the project for five years on tracks in parts of Boston, New Haven, Long Island City, N.Y., Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., Miami, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Seattle.

U.S. Rep. Denny Rehberg, R-Mont.

OSHA's Rules, Budget Will Be Target

While the Nov. 2 elections left the U.S. House oversight and appropriations panels basically intact, Republicans in line to chair them, including Montana's Denny Rehberg, are likely to fight any new regulation.

Trenching Hazards Lead to $67,000 Fine for Delaware Construction Firm

"Excavation is recognized as one of the most hazardous construction operations. However, cave-ins are easily avoided when the proper precautions are taken," said Domenick Salvatore, director of OSHA's Wilmington Area Office.

Industry trade associations wanted a reduced ignition propensity, or fire safe, cigarette used.

CPSC Proposes New Cigarette for Mattress Testing

Industry trade associations wanted a reduced ignition propensity, or fire safe, cigarette used, but the commission said using one could reduce the fire safety effectiveness of the testing standard.

Two Public Hearings Set on Vehicle Emissions Rules

EPA and NHTSA announced the public hearings will take place Nov. 15 in Chicago and Nov. 18 in Cambridge, Mass.

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