Among other measures, the agency is proposing to require bottled water manufacturers to test for the bacterium E. coli, an indicator of fecal contamination, if any coliform organisms are detected in source water or finished bottled water products.
According to OSHA, it all matters whether the employee's normal work schedule includes one or more work-from-home days.
The action is a temporary prohibition pending formal rulemaking. A June 2008 accident and the Sept. 12 Metrolink collision in Chatsworth prompted the ban.
Contractors say the proposal, which OSHA issued to clarify that certain respiratory and training standards apply on a per-employee basis, is a threat. And the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's comments predict a court will strike it down.
The new voluntary measure "will eventually help achieve a common standard of health and safety practice throughout Europe and lead to easier recognition of equivalent qualifications across member states," said Certification Committee Chairman Andrew Hale.
It will create four options for qualification or certification of crane operators and apply to an estimated 96,000 cranes in the United States.
The new policy will be enforced starting 30 days from now.
"The bill strikes the right balance between protections for individuals with disabilities and the obligations and requirements of employers," said NAM Executive VP Jay Timmons.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced Wednesday that an Arizona city will pay $240,000 to resolve a 2007 complaint against it for allegedly violating the asbestos provisions of the Clean Air Act.
If a motor carrier contests the denial of a safety permit, claiming crashes that caused its rate to be in the top 30 percent of the national average weren't preventable, the agency will consider it.
The standard is an update to SSTD 10-99 and includes new provisions such as prescriptive designs for wind speeds up to 150 mph with three-second gusts, designs for cold-formed steel framing, and exterior wall coverings for high wind.
Once the rule is in effect, teams must have twice as many gas detectors and carry more oxygen than is currently required.
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration announced Thursday that the operator of the Darby Mine #1 in Harlan County, Ky., withdrew its challenge to citations issued following the May 2006 explosion that claimed five miners’ lives.
The U.S. Chemical Safety Board has announced a public meeting on Sept. 25 in Beckley, W.Va., to reveal its investigation report on the causes of the January 2007 propane explosion at the Little General Store in Ghent, W.Va.
Wednesday’s hearing is scheduled to include testimony from AFL-CIO Health and Safety Director Peg Seminario and Leon Sequeira, assistant U.S. labor secretary for policy, DOL’s point man for the rule.
Other leaders in Texas worker's compensation will also be on hand to present updates on HB 7 reforms, claims-management strategies, case studies, and the latest developments on the burning issues facing the Texas worker's comp system.
In the show, the former NIOSH director and other government representatives discuss issues relating to the health and safety implications of nanotechnology.
U.S. Secretary of Transportation Mary E. Peters has directed the Federal Aviation Administration to implement 13 new safety recommendations from an independent review team tasked with reviewing the current U.S. aviation safety system.
Only a handful have shown up on www.regulations.gov, but those agree the rule from Secretary Elaine Chao's office should not go forward, and they ask for a public hearing.
They warn it could add at least $10,000 to the cost of a house. A review panel examining the comments will revise the draft, the Australian Safety and Compensation Council's chair said.