Regulatory & Standards


Safety 2008 Kicks Off with Politics on the Table

Evaluating the current political landscape at this morning's opening session, Washington insider Jay Carney will be offering his perspective on the presidency (and the ensuing one), Congress, and the press.

NSC Names New President and CEO

The National Safety Council announced on June 5 that Janet P. Froetscher, president and CEO of United Way of Metropolitan Chicago, has been selected as its new president and chief executive officer. Froetscher replaces former NSC President and CEO Alan C. McMillan, who retired in February.

EPA Issues New Rodenticide Regs.; Manufacturers Must Respond by Sept. 2

Ten rodenticides used in bait products marketed to consumers henceforth must be enclosed in bait stations, making the pesticide inaccessible to children and pets. The measures also prohibit the sale of loose bait, such as pellets, for use in homes.

NYC Adopts Revised Fire Code, Analyzes Child Fire Deaths

"Together, the new Fire and Building Codes will improve safety while also making it easier for construction professionals, designers, property owners, businesses, and others to work here more efficiently and understand their obligations under the law," NY Mayor Michael Bloomberg said.

ASHRAE Publishes First Airplane Cabin Air Quality Standard

This voluntary standard can be adopted by individual airlines or FAA and covers issues such as temperature, cabin pressure, air contaminants, ventilation rates, and more.

OSHA Takes a Pass on FirePASS; Firm's VP Cites 'Uphill Battle'

FirePASS's William Costello said the technology could have prevented February's Imperial Sugar Refinery explosion in Port Wentworth, Ga. OSHA chief Edwin Foulke Jr. responded with a letter clarifying the agency's denial of variance for the system.

North American Leaders Cooperating on Food Safety

Canada's health minister, Tony Clement, urged colleagues last week at the WHO World Health Assembly to consider consumer laws similar to his country's new regulation.



NFPA 2008 Revision Cycle: Changes Proposed to 15 Codes, Standards

The effected codes and standards will be presented at the World Safety Conference & Exposition in June. The new codes will carry a 2009 edition date, though they may be available by the end of 2008.

Real-Time Data on Medical Products' Effects Seen from Sentinel System

Started with an FDA white paper and a CMS regulation, the public-private scheme includes an electronic system to hunt for post-market adverse events and the ability to use Part D to aid health and safety research.

OSHA Again Cites United Airlines at O'Hare for Health, Safety Violations

OSHA again has cited United Airlines Inc. in Chicago for alleged multiple serious, willful, and repeat violations of federal workplace safety and health standards, and has proposed $192,500 in fines.

Machine Guarding Industy Vet Enters Blogosphere

A consultant for OSHA and leader of the national OSHA/AHTD alliance, Jim Norton is now the moderator for a new blog on OSHA safety standards.

FDA Obtains Permanent Injunction Against Scientific Laboratories Inc.

Company manufactures and distributes unapproved and adulterated drugs.

DOL Again Focuses on Unions' Finances

The department's new proposed rule would require full disclosure of money spent on benefits and indirect disbursements for individual union officers and certain union employees.

DOL to Host May 28 Hearing on Worldwide Child Labor

The hearing will address a global concern: use of child labor and forced labor to produce goods. ILO soon will consider proposing a standard for gathering accurate statistics.

Sole Long-Term Action in OSHA's Plans: Hearing in Construction

A reopened record on electrical rule and a revised HazCom standard in October are two highlights of the spring 2008 semiannual agenda.

New DOT Rule Increases Protections for Air Travelers with Disabilities

As the result of a new rule issued yesterday by the U.S. Department of Transportation that strengthens the existing regulation implementing the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) and extends it to foreign airlines, people with disabilities will have additional protections against discrimination when they travel by air.

CTA Petition Demands EPA Stops Sale of Nano-Silver Products

The International Center for Technology Assessment (CTA) and a coalition of consumer, health, and environmental groups filed a legal petition on May 1 with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), demanding the agency use its pesticide regulation authority to stop the sale of numerous consumer products now using nanosized versions of silver.

MSHA to Propose Drug & Alcohol Rule Next Month

This proposed rule, for which the agency took comments in 2005, is one of two important ones expected to be proposed in June.

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