Regulatory & Standards


FAA Rejects Call to Expand Rest Rule to Cargo Operators

The agency reiterates that cargo airlines are free to adopt the rule voluntarily and said its new Supplemental Regulatory Impact Analysis provides even more economic evidence for excluding cargo.

GPS, Ignition Interlocks, Signage Among Wrong-Way Driving Solutions: NTSB

According to the special report issued Dec. 11 by the safety board, between 2004 and 2009 there were 1,566 wrong-way fatal crashes in the United States that killed 2,139 people.

Commission Faults Designer, Engineer for Christchurch Building's Collapse

When the six-story CTV building fell within 20 seconds after a 6.2-magnitude earthquake struck the city on Feb. 22, 2011, 115 of its occupants died.

FRA Adjusting Positive Train Control Requirements

Answering a petition from the Association of American Railroads, the DOT agency says it will make changes that reduce PTC costs for locomotives used in rail yards and will expand the de minimis exemption.

NYC Buildings Commissioner Spreads Escalator Safety Message

Robert LiMandri on Dec. 3 started the Department of Buildings' ninth annual Elevator Escalator Safety Awareness Week by visiting a Brooklyn public school to teach children in first, second, and third grades how to safely ride elevators and escalators and what to do in an emergency.

Michaels, Howard Cite Upstream Industries' High Fatality Rate

Both mentioned it during Dec. 4 presentations at the 2012 OSHA Oil & Gas Safety Conference in Dallas.

More than 2,200 Lives Saved by Electronic Stability Control, NHTSA Estimates

That many people were saved just from 2008 to 2010, the agency reported Nov. 30.

Panel Finds OSHA Lead Exposure Standard Inadequate

A new report from a National Research Council committee says the current standard sets limits that do not protect personnel working on military firing ranges from harmful exposures.



Director of Washington State's L&I Stepping Down

Judy Schurke's resignation as director of the parent agency of the state's Division of Occupational Safety and Health will be effective Dec. 31

OSHA Steps In on Flight Attendant Safety Issues

FAA and OSHA proposed the new policy on Nov. 30.

OSHA published a final rule in March 2012 revising its Hazard Communication Standard, 29 CFR 1910, to conform it to the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals, known as GHS.

Year in Review: A Tale of Two Regulations

One completed OSHA action ushered in the era of workers' right to understand, while a still pending crystalline silica rule could have international significance.

Copper Ionization Ban Shouldn't Compromise Legionella Control: HSE

The agency alerted users and suppliers of copper ionization water treatment systems that this method is prohibited by the EU beginning Feb. 1, 2013.

OSHA Files $545,000 in PSM Penalties After Chemical Leak

The case is among the largest penalties proposed by the agency this year. "While I'm grateful that nobody was injured from the incident, I'm alarmed by the egregious nature of the violations we uncovered during our inspection," OSHA chief Dr. David Michaels said.

NY Officials File Extension on Fracking Decision

New York officials need more time to put the final touches on a nearly completed study of hydraulic fracturing's effects.

FMCSA Approves Lower Monitor Placement Exemption

The agency said placing the monitoring system at the bottom of the windshields of about 500 commercial trucks is part of a research project.

OSHA Levies Penalties in Fatal Texas Crane Collapse

Six serious violations have been assessed against Harrison Hoist Inc. of Grand Prairie, Texas, in connection with the collapse of part of a tower crane at a University of Texas at Dallas campus in July.

IMO Safety Committee Expected to Approve Training Amendments

The committee meets this week in London with a packed agenda, including approval of draft amendments to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) and creation of a passenger ship safety working group.

Qualified Person Requirement Added to Fire Door Inspection Standard

NFPA 80's 2013 edition contains the new requirement.

San Onofre Meeting, Oral Arguments Set

The Nov. 30 NSC meeting concerns the licensee’s response to the discovery of "unexpected wear" in nearly new steam generators after a leak inside a Unit 3 steam generator tube early this year.

Gulf Platform's Operator Ordered to Submit Performance Improvement Plan

BSEE has ordered Black Elk Energy Offshore Operations, LLC, to submit a performance improvement plan by Dec. 15 and to take several corrective actions immediately.

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