Regulatory & Standards


This is the logo of the National Mining Association Stay Alert initiative.

NIOSH Gives Safety in Mining a Boost

NIOSH said yesterday it has readied a computer-based training program to prepare the new generation of miners to read mine maps, which is critical for staying safe underground. NMA's "Safety First: Stay Alert" initiative has offered training materials to mine operators.

Work Continues on Vetting System for New Motor Carriers

An advisory panel recommended FMCSA ensure new entrant carriers have their safety audits within a year on average, with "chameleon carriers" and others not in compliance found through roadside inspection data and other procedures.

An abandoned car can be an unsafe eyesore.

Virginia Speeds Up Removal of Abandoned Vehicles

The $25 records request using a searchable database will help law enforcement and others find the owners or lienholders of junkers left on their property.

From Pumping to Tweeting: Hydraulic Institute to Hold Fall Conference

Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in 22 technical committee meetings on the institute's standards and guidelines. Other program highlights include a CEO roundtable, a pump knowledge workshop, an HR network session, and a bowling tournament.

This CSB photo shows the aftermath of the Feb. 7, 2008 explosion and fires at Port Wentworth.

No Surprises in CSB's Port Wentworth Report

Lax housekeeping and equipment that was inadequately designed and maintained allowed the buildup of sugar dust that exploded in February 2008, the board's final draft report concludes. Georgia's two U.S. senators today joined in backing OSHA's plan to issue a combustible dust standard.

Safe Work Australia Chairman Tom Phillips

Australia Passes Milestone for National Safety Laws

The nation's OSH regulatory agency will become operational in November 2009, and it will deliver the laws by December 2011, Chairman Tom Phillips promised.

Any Driving Distraction is Dangerous: ASSE

Revised ahead of the DOT Distract Driving Summit later this month, the society's position statement notes distractions are not limited to electronic devices. The statement also discusses technological solutions.

This 3M photo shows the back of a Scotchlite segmented trim T shirt.

Big Expansion Coming for High-Vis Apparel

When it comes out later this year, the 2009 version of the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices will expand the requirement for high-vis safety apparel to workers on all roads, not just federal-aid highways.



APIC Event Seeks to Provide CMS Compliance Assistance

An educational program titled "Infection Prevention for Ambulatory Care: Meeting CMS Conditions for Coverage" will be hosted by the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) from Nov. 6-7 in Dallas. The event will provide a foundation in infection prevention designed to help outpatient care providers meet the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) revised conditions for coverage.

DOL Certifies Approximately 4,700 Workers for Trade Adjustment Assistance

The Department of Labor has announced that approximately 4,700 workers from companies in 13 states--Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Maine, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, South Dakota, Tennessee, and Wisconsin--are eligible to apply for Trade Adjustment Assistance.

Residential fire sprinklers remain controversial.

Residential Fire Sprinkler Battle Still Ablaze

Getting home fire sprinklers added to the 2009 International Residential Code wasn't easy. Opponents are still fighting to remove that requirement from the code, and NFPA and its allies have readied their arguments for hearings next month.

logo of the European Chemicals Agency

15 Chemicals May Get SVHC Tag from European Chemicals Agency

The agency has published proposals to identify the group as Substances of Very High Concern because of their carcinogenic, mutagenic, and/or reprotoxic properties and potentially serious effects on human health, or for persistent, bioaccumulative environmental effects. Comments to ECHA are due by Oct. 15.

FCC Tallies Telecom Access Complaints

For the first quarter of 2009, the agency's Disability Rights Office received 142 informal complaints raising closed captioning issues but no complaints regarding hearing aid compatibility issues.

Recent food safety investments by the Canadian government total $188 million.

Canada Invests $75 Million More in Food Safety

The agriculture and health ministers announced Friday the addition of 166 new food safety staffers, 24/7 availability of health risk assessment teams, and improved tracking of food illnesses through a national surveillance system.

National Child Passenger Safety Week Begins Today

According to CDC, the use of booster seats has been found to reduce the risk for injury by 59 percent in children aged 4-7 years old, compared with use of adult seat belts alone.

New Vibration Standard for Rotodynamic Pumps Released

The standard applies to the evaluation of vibration on rotodynamic pump applications, specifically when the vibration measurements are made on non-rotating parts (bearing housing vibration).

The First Alert SA302CN is a dual sensor smoke alarm.

Iowa Dual Sensor Rule Now Set for April 1

The upcoming rule from the State Fire Marshal requiring dual sensor smoke detectors affects new homes, dormitories, and multi-unit residential buildings.

OSHA Updates Eye-, Face-PPE Standards; Ruling Effective Oct. 9

"Workers exposed to occupational hazards requiring head, foot, or eye and face protection will now be provided protection based on a standard that reflects state-of-the-art technology and materials," said acting Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA Jordan Barab.

Care-Tech Laboratories to Discontinue Unapproved Antimicrobial Products

The Food and Drug Administration recently announced that St. Louis-based Care-Tech Laboratories Inc. and its principal officers, John C. Brereton and Sherry L. Brereton, have signed a consent decree, agreeing to stop the illegal manufacture, marketing, and distribution of over-the-counter (OTC) antimicrobial drugs used to treat and prevent infection.

U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa

Harkin Takes HELP Chairman's Post

The Iowa senator accepted the position vacated by Sen. Ted Kennedy's death, after Sen. Chris Dodd, D-Conn., chose to retain the Banking Committee's chairmanship.

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