Regulatory & Standards


More Time Allowed for Comments on Wetlines Rule

Giving stakeholders 30 more days, the agency said several organizations said their members are struggling with concurrent rulemakings from DOT, EPA, OSHA, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Scrap Yard Worker's Injury Leads to $63,000 Penalty

OSHA issued Ace Iron and Metal one repeat citation for failing to provide machine guarding in place on three shear machines, exposing employees to an amputation hazard.

California DIR Fines Contractor $512,700 for Public Works Violations

The Marin County contractor, whose contractor’s license was revoked last May by the Contractor’s State License Board, is also prohibited from bidding on or receiving any public works contracts in California until 2013.

OSHA Unearths Trenching Hazards at Georgia Construction Site

In September 2010, as part of OSHA's National Emphasis Program on Trenching and Excavation, a compliance officer observed several violations at a worksite where the company was installing pipe in a deep excavation.

$465,500 in Penalties Issued to Large Grain Storage Company

Gavilon Grain LLC, which is privately held, says it operates 110 grain facilities and 60 feed and food ingredient storage and handling facilities in North America.

Food Safety Modernization Act Implementation Meeting Set

The Food and Drug Administration will hold the meeting March 29 to hear from stakeholders about the import safety provisions of the new law.

Heavier Passengers Bring Change to Transit Bus Testing

The Federal Transit Administration proposed a change in its bus testing protocols March 14 because its current assumption, 150 pounds per passenger, is no longer accurate.

Alabama Smelting Plant Cited for LOTO, Electrical Hazards

OSHA cited 17 serious safety violations, including failing to use lockout/tagout procedures of energy sources, guard open-sided floors and platforms, and provide standard railings for fixed stairways.



Worker's Death in Trench Leads to Contractor's $159,600 Fine

One employee died and another was hospitalized after wet, heavy soil collapsed into a deep trench while the men were installing a sewer pipe.

The review indicated human error is the leading primary cause of incidents during loading and unloading operations.

Agency Wants More Hazmat Tank Truck Risk Assessments

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration proposed that every carrier or facility involved in loading or unloading a cargo tank motor vehicle perform a risk assessment and also receive training.

Contractor Fined $122,960 for Cave-In Hazards

The willful citation alleges that employees were working in a trench at a depth greater than 7 feet without cave-in protection during an October 2010 inspection.

UK Firm Paying $101,000 in Amputation Case

The Health and Safety Executive prosecuted Coolrec Group BV, which is based in the Netherlands, for an April 2008 incident in England where a worker's arm was caught in a moving conveyor belt. The company is paying a $96,300 fine and $35,320 in costs.

FDA Approves First New Lupus Drug in 56 Years

The Food and Drug Administration recently approved Benlysta (belimumab) to treat patients with active, autoantibody-positive lupus (systemic lupus erythematosus) who are receiving standard therapy, including corticosteroids, antimalarials, immunosuppressives, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

OSHA Issues Final Rule on Nuclear, Environmental Retaliation Complaints

The rule covers workers who voice concerns related to nuclear and environmental safety or security under clean air and water, safe drinking water, solid waste, and toxic substances, among others.

Amputation, LOTO Hazards Add Up to $49,900 Fine for Steel Company

The serious violations involve failing to properly implement a lockout/tagout program for energy sources, provide adequate guarding of belts and pulleys, and provide proper storage of flammable materials.

AIHA Releases AIHce 2011 Conference Updates

The American Industrial Hygiene Association recently announced that its 2011 AIHce opening general session speaker Gene Kranz, NASA Flight Control director and Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient, will be signing his recent book at the AIHA booth following his presentation.

OSHA Issues Cranes and Derricks Guidance for Small Businesses

This guide accompanies other OSHA compliance materials on crane-related topics available on the agency's website including a PowerPoint overview, Web chat transcript, Webinar, and fact sheets.

Worker Fatally Struck by Machine; Houston Firm Fined $79,400

OSHA's Houston South Area Office began its investigation on Sept. 14, 2010, at the company's South Freeway facility, where an employee died after a pallet-pulling machine came loose and struck him on the head.

Proposed Rule Would Require Emergency Notification Systems at Highway-Rail Grade Crossings

The proposal would require railroads to establish toll-free telephone numbers to allow the public to report malfunctioning highway-rail grade crossing warning signals, disabled vehicles blocking crossings, or any other unsafe conditions at crossings.

Pep Boys Penalized for Machine Guarding, Electrical Hazards

OSHA alleges that workers in the Hamden store's service area were exposed to electric shock hazards from damaged power cords, as well as to cuts and lacerations from a grinder that lacked a safety guard, a tongue guard, and guarding of its spindle end.

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