Regulatory & Standards


U.S. Marshals Seize Deficient Dental Devices from Florida Manufacturer

The seizure of dentistry products valued at $208,910 follows an FDA inspection that found significant deficiencies in the company’s manufacturing processes that may affect the safety and effectiveness of the products.

DOT Issues New Rule Aimed at Reducing Occupant Ejections in Vehicles

Under the new rule, vehicle manufacturers must develop a countermeasure for light passenger vehicles under 10,000 pounds that prevents the equivalent of an unbelted adult from moving more than 4 inches past the side window opening in the event of a crash.

Meat Processing Plant Fined $212,000 for Lockout/Tagout, Repeat Violations

Bridgford Foods' Chicago facility has been inspected by OSHA three times since November 2007, resulting in 29 health and safety citations.

"Our inspectors, engineers, and architects are working harder than ever to protect New Yorkers and as a result, there is a heightened awareness of safety throughout the construction industry," Commissioner Robert LiMandri said.

NYC Construction Accidents Down 28 Percent Last Year

Only four fatal construction accidents occurred in the city during 2010, all of them falls. Buildings Commissioner Robert LiMandri credits increased enforcement, new requirements, and more outreach to the construction industry for the improvements.

OSHA Estimates Recordkeeping Rule's Cost at $136 Million

The estimate is included in its request for comments as it seeks to continue the information collection underlying this fundamental safety regulation, 29 CFR Part 1904.

U.S. Rep. Darrell Issa, chairman of the House Oversight & Government Reform Committee

Issa Asked to Help Stop I2P2 and Noise Proposals

The letter sent to about 150 trade associations last month by U.S. Rep. Darrell Issa, new chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, asking them to identify "burdensome" regulations, has put these two OSHA proposals on the hot seat. President Obama's new executive order puts additional pressure on existing regulations.

AHA: CPR Training Should be High School Graduation Requirement

CPR training in schools should cover several key areas, including how to recognize an emergency, an emphasis on high-quality chest compressions and skills practice, according to the advisory.

EEOC: Job Bias Charges Hit Record High of Nearly 100,000 in Fiscal Year 2010

According to the FY 2010 data, all major categories of charge filings in the private sector (which include charges filed against state and local governments) increased.



N.J. Stucco Contractor Cited for Fall Hazards, Repeat Violations

Due to the number of repeat violations cited, the company has been added to OSHA's Severe Violator Enforcement Program.

OSHA Brews Up Fines for MillerCoors Following Ammonia Release

OSHA's investigation found that two employees working on the ammonia system narrowly escaped serious injury when an uncontrolled release occurred during maintenance operations.

The Coast Guard said the 2009 reported data indicate the industry-wide positive rate was 1.03 percent.

Maritime Random Drug Testing Rate Remains 50 Percent

The Coast Guard published the 2011 testing rate Monday. If maritime employers had recorded an overall positive rate below 1.0 percent for two consecutive years, it could have been lowered.

FDA Launches New Web Resource for Regulated Industries

Part of the agency’s ongoing transparency initiative, the site is one of the 19 action items contained in a 46-page report titled “FDA Transparency Initiative: Improving Transparency to Regulated Industry.”

ECHA announced that 3,114,835 notifications of 24,529 substances were submitted by the deadline.

Deluge of Notifications Pleases EU Chemical Chiefs

The European Chemicals Agency, ECHA, announced that 3,114,835 notifications of 24,529 substances for the Classification and Labelling Inventory, either hazardous or subject to REACH registration, were submitted by the midnight Jan. 3 deadline.

HHS, EPA Announce New Assessments on Fluoride in Drinking Water

These actions will maximize the health benefits of water fluoridation, an important tool in the prevention of tooth decay while reducing the possibility of children receiving too much fluoride, according to both agencies.

EPA Requires Testing of 19 Widely Used Chemicals

The agency wants manufacturers to test the health and environmental effects of high production volume chemicals.

OSHA Orders Connecticut Railroad Co. to Compensate Whistleblower

OSHA has ordered the railroad, which provides commuter rail service in Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey, to take corrective action and pay the worker $80,500 in punitive damages and attorney's fees.

2011 is the centennial year for ASSE, and the association plans a big celebration at its conference.

ASSE's 'Century of Safety' Film Debuts

Beginning with the Triangle Shirtwaist fire in New York City, the 21-minute film "tells the story of how and why we are safer at work today" and how the occupational safety, health, and environmental profession developed.

Serious Violations Lead to Texas Refinery's $115,650 Fine

The serious violations include failing to provide properly constructed scaffolds and provide supports to hold piping.

U.S. Rep. John Kline, R-Minn., is now chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee.

Meet the New Boss(es)

U.S. Rep. John Kline, R-Minn., has already changed the House Education and Labor Committee's name and its website. He brings a much different agenda than during the 111th Congress.

Illinois Contractor Cited $360,000 for Trenching Hazards, Repeat Violations

OSHA issued willful citations alleging that Gerardi failed to properly protect workers from trench cave-ins, the result of four separate inspections conducted under the OSHA Trenching and Excavation Special Emphasis Program.

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