Regulatory & Standards


Standards Report: Z359 ASC's October 2008 Meeting

Committee members discussed a possible technical report to accompany the proposed Z359.6-200X and Z359.7-200X Standards and decided to address comments and then re-circulate the proposed Z359.13-200X Standard on energy-absorbing lanyards and personal energy absorbers.

Lost Opportunities

Work can be a hazardous place. Accidents happen. Employees can slip, trip, or fall. They can be exposed to harmful chemicals or toxins. They can physically overexert themselves in strenuous situations. And the list goes on. Workplace accidents are the byproduct of unforeseen but, fortunately, often preventable causes.

Caught in the Crossfire

Under the “general duty” clause of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSHA), 29 U.S.C. §§ 651- 678, “[e]ach employer . . . shall furnish to each of his employees employment and a place of employment which are free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to his employees.”. There is little question that allowing guns at the workplace endangers workers.

February Workshop to Examine Evacuation of Disabled

The Feb. 3-4 workshop at Washington, D.C.'s Gallaudet University will examine current and needed standards to enhance emergency preparedness for the disabled population.

MSHA's Final Rule Still Allows Belt Air

The agency implements the recommendations of a technical panel that did not urge ending the practice of ventilating sections of underground coal mines via the entries through which conveyors move coal to the surface, although UMWA wanted the practice banned. MSHA also published a final rule today allowing two types of underground coal mine refuges.

MSHA Boosts Testing Fee to $90 Per Hour Tomorrow

The agency's new fee schedule for testing, evaluating, and approving mining products as permitted by 30 CFR 5.50 is based on the agency's cost during the past fiscal year.

no texting while driving sign

California's Motorist Texting Law Takes Effect Thursday

To limit their liability, employers in the state should broaden their cell phone policies to prohibit employees from texting while driving, a labor lawyer says. Will the law set the tone for the rest of the nation?

OSHA Surpasses Enforcement Goal, Logs 87,687 Violations in FY08

"This year's inspection numbers show that the strategic approach used by OSHA--targeting highest hazard workplaces for aggressive enforcement while also using education, training, and cooperative programs to improve overall compliance--can help achieve significant reductions in workplace injuries, illnesses, and fatalities," said acting Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA Thomas M. Stohler.



chemicals in 55-gallon drums

Britain Adjusting Chemical Hazard Regulations to GHS

A proposal out for comments will allow for the enforcement of the European Regulation on the Classification, Labelling and Packaging of Substances and Mixtures, which adopts the internationally agreed Global Harmonized System on the classification and labeling of chemicals.

EPA Notifies Governors, Tribes of Areas That Violate Fine Particle Standards

211 counties and parts of counties in the U.S. do not meet the agency’s PM 2.5 standards.

Research Urged to Improve MSD Reporting by Health Workers

An educator who has studied the problem extensively says safe patient handling laws gaining ground in U.S. states require better injury and illness data for health care workers, who frequently are reluctant to report their injuries.

ANSI Issues Accreditations Under New Greenhouse Gas Program

With a growing global awareness of the need for environmental protection and sustainability, organizations are eager to demonstrate their efforts to inventory, report, and reduce GHG emissions, ANSI said.

Chemigation in action.

EPA Requests Comments on 'Chemigation' Labeling

The proposed guidance would supersede the existing agency guidance on this subject contained in Pesticide Registration Notice 87-1 (PRN 87-1) published March 11, 1987.

DOL Finalizes H-2B Rule, Modernizes Application Process

Under the new rule, DOL may debar for up to three years employers, attorneys, and agents found to have committed fraud or willful misrepresentation concerning the H-2B employment-based immigration program, or failed to cooperate with labor department audits or investigations.

farm tractor

Campaign Puts UK Agricultural Safety in Spotlight in 2009

The Health and Safety Executive said 455 agricultural workers have died in the past decade, and the annual death toll has remained high.

Hydraulic Institute to Address Business Growth, Turbulent Times at Annual Meeting

A key feature of the meeting will be the opportunity to work with technical committees on industry standards, guidelines, and electronic data exchange protocols affecting the pump industry.

Gift from EPA: Free Webcast on Oil Spill Prevention, Jan. 13

This four-hour event will cover major topics like SPCC plan basics, integrity testing, applicability, secondary containment, and recent rule revisions and will include a one-hour live question-and-answer session.

childrens toys

Safe Toys Are No Accident

ANSI notes that December is Safe Toys and Gifts Month, and one of its members (the Toy Industry Association) started a Toy Safety Certification Program last year to improve toy safety.

CPSC Rule Slashes Acceptable Lead Paint Content

The rule will take effect Aug. 14, 2009, as Congress directed in the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (CPSIA).

FMCSA Won't Preempt California CMV Rest and Meal Break Rules

The agency said the petition filed in July for 11 motor carriers doesn't qualify because the California laws are not CMV safety dictates, but rather regulations applied generally to the state's employers.

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