Regulatory & Standards


Chesar helps registrants complete Chemical Safety Assessments for the different uses of a substance as they prepare Chemical Safety Reports.

EU Agency Releases New Chemical Safety Assessment Tool

The European Chemicals Agency made the 1.1.3 version of Chesar available as a free download on April 6. It allows registrants to create full Chemical Safety Reports.

South Dakota Grain Engulfment Brings $378,000 in Fines

At least 26 U.S. workers were killed in grain entrapments last year, and the numbers of entrapments are increasing, according to researchers at Purdue University.

Propane Tank Firm Cited Following Forklift Fatality

OSHA cited the company for 19 safety violations following the October 2010 death of a worker who was ejected and crushed after the forklift he was operating overturned.

NFPA Establishes Sprinkler Antifreeze Requirements

An updated Safety Alert from the National Fire Protection Association addresses the use of antifreeze in new and existing occupancies. It replaces July and August 2010 Alerts that said antifreeze shouldn't be used in residential sprinklers.

MSHA Assistant Secretary Joe Main

Deadline Extended for Comments on POV Changes

MSHA proposed to revise its Pattern of Violations regulation on Feb. 2, and the changes it wants to make are a priority for Assistant Secretary Joe Main. Stakeholders now have until April 18 to submit comments.

JCR Hosting Hospital Emergency Preparedness Conference

The April 27-28 event in Arlington, Va. administrators meet The Joint Commission's hospital accreditation standards and develop effective collaborative plans for emergency events.

DOT Announces New Plan to Repair Aging Pipelines

Following several fatal pipeline accidents, including one that killed five people in Allentown, Pa., Ray LaHood called upon U.S. pipeline owners and operators to conduct a comprehensive review of their oil and gas pipelines to identify areas of high risk and accelerate critical repair and replacement work.

These concrete crossties were made by CXT Concrete Ties, owned by L.B. Foster, and installed at the Port of Vancouver (Wash.)

Automated Inspection of Concrete Crossties Mandated

In a final rule taking effect July 1, the Federal Railroad Administration requires computerized inspections, saying they are better than visual inspections at finding weak points.



Comments and votes are being accepted on the DOL online portal until April 8.

Time's Running Out to Comment on Existing DOL Regs

The Labor Department opened an online portal March 16 to accept comments about its existing significant regulations. The opportunity will end April 8.

Trenching Hazards Pile Up $115,000 in Penalties for Ala. Contractor

"A trench can become a grave in seconds. Disregarding workers' safety by leaving them unprotected from potential cave-in and struck-by hazards is unacceptable and will not be tolerated," said Roberto Sanchez, OSHA's area director in Birmingham.

NJ Bearings Manufacturer Penalized $88,200

RBC-West Trenton was investigated under OSHA's Site-Specific Targeting Program, which focuses on industries with high injury and illness rates.

Electrical, Combustible Dust Hazards Add Up to $83,400 in Fines for Volvo Aero

Specific violations cited by OSHA included workers being hoisted on the load hook of an overhead crane, an improperly designed combustible dust collection system, and a lack of personal protective equipment.

MSHA to Hold June Public Briefing on Upper Big Branch Mine Explosion

The Mine Safety and Health Administration recently announced that it will hold a briefing on June 29 to share with the public information gathered during the investigation of the explosion at the Upper Big Branch Mine in Raleigh County, W.Va.

A New Standard for Mold Assessment

The ASTM D7338 standard sets the bar for best practice for assessing fungal growth in buildings. A sampling guide and strategy will be one of the next work items for the subcommittee.

Using Dielectric and Electrical Hazard Shoes

Minute holes in the soles of the footwear are the biggest area of concern in the protection scenarios.

Tyson Foods Cited for LOTO, Respiratory Protection Hazards

The company faces penalties totaling $45,000 as a result of an OSHA inspection conducted in October 2010.

Drivers cannot be expected to know how much space is available before they cross, the American Trucking Associations said in its comments.

FMCSA Urged to Require Signs at Grade Crossings

The agency is accepting comments about its proposed rule until April 29. Commenters say some or all grade crossings should have signs posted to warn truckers how much room is available on the other side of the tracks.

Cal/OSHA Launches Heat Illness Prevention Training Program

The training will provide information about employers’ responsibilities under California’s Heat Illness Prevention Standard and will explain changes made to the regulation last August that are now in effect.

Idaho Meat Provider Pounded for Repeat, Serious Safety Violations

OSHA issued the citations after an inspection of the company's facility identified a potential release of anhydrous ammonia and other workplace hazards.

An outbreak had occurred in two of these hospitals among patients receiving total parenteral nutrition, which is liquid nutrition fed through an IV using a catheter.

Contaminated IV Bags Suspected in Nine Patient Deaths in Alabama

Health officials are investigating the deaths of nine patients at Alabama hospitals who were given an intravenous nutritional supplement that had been contaminated by bacteria.

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