Regulatory & Standards


Predecessor Company's Violations Count, OSHRC Holds

In a Nov. 18 decision that was a case of first impression, the commission held that a company's change in legal status does not prevent a repeat violation from being upheld against the successor company.

OSHA Updates Shipyard PPE Directive

The directive recognizes updated consensus standards and includes more information about the PPE shipyard employers must provide to workers at no cost, as well as PPE for which they don't have to pay.

DOJ Announces ADA Settlement with Movie Theater Chain

According to the department, the agreement will improve the movie-going experience for people who use wheelchairs and their companions at AMC stadium-style theaters nationwide.

MSHA Launches Second 'Rules to Live By' Enforcement Initiative

MSHA has launched the second phase of an outreach and enforcement program designed to strengthen efforts to prevent mining fatalities. "Rules to Live By II: Preventing Catastrophic Accidents" was developed from data gathered by reviewing accidents that resulted in five or more fatalities, as well as from incidents caused by fires or explosions that had the potential to result in more fatalities.

EPA determined the 16 chemical being added are used and/or manufactured in amounts above the reporting thresholds.

EPA Adds 16 Chemicals to EPCRA List

The final rule that is effective Nov. 30, 2010, adds them to the section 313 list of toxic chemicals, as EPA proposed in April 2010.

Efficiencies from an EU regulation and reduced use of animal testing are benefits to be gained by UK industry, the report says.

HSE Report Forecasts Big Savings from Biocides Rule

Improved procedures and lower testing costs are included in the industry's estimated savings of as much as 26.4 million pounds annually.

CPSC Data Shows Toy Recalls Declining, Toy Injuries Increasing

To help keep what has been called the most wonderful time of the year happy and incident-free, CPSC is encouraging consumers to adopt a three-pronged safety approach.

Metals Finishing Firm Fined $300K for Hexavalent Chromium Exposure, More

"The employer had ample information alerting him to the hazards posed by hexavalent chromium, yet allowed his employees to continue to be exposed," said Bill Fulcher, director of OSHA's Atlanta-East Area Office.



Stucco Contractor Plastered with Fines for Repeat Fall Hazards

The company received citations for failing to maintain a safety program, fully plank scaffold platforms, provide a ladder for safe scaffold access, remove and replace damaged scaffold components, and properly brace scaffolds with cross braces.

Air Travelers at Risk from Secondhand Smoke: CDC

Although more airports prohibit smoking today than in 2002, smoking is still allowed inside seven of the nation's largest airports, including three of the five busiest airports.

Ohio Manufacturer Fined for Hazardous Energy Procedures, Training Violations

"Failing to implement procedures to prevent injury from unexpected energization or startup of machinery and equipment is a leading cause of workplace injury," said OSHA Area Director Rob Medlock in Cleveland.

Michaels Offers Reassurance on VPP, State Plans

In a speech last week, the OSHA administrator said none of the problems identified in audits of state plans "is catastrophic or threatens continued plan approval," except in one or two cases where the budgetary commitment to the program is in jeopardy.

"Deficient" is changing to "alert" when a score in one or more BASIC categories is above the FMCSA threshold for intervention.

Slight CSA 2010 Changes Coming Next Month

For example, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is changing "deficient" to "alert" when a motor carrier's score in one or more BASIC categories is above the agency's threshold for intervention.

Caffeinated Alcoholic Drinks are Unsafe: FDA

Experts have raised concerns that caffeine can mask some of the sensory cues individuals might normally rely on to determine their level of intoxication.

W.Va. Postal Facility Fined $287,000 for Electrical Hazards

"These citations and sizable fines reflect the Postal Service's failure to ensure that the proper safety practices were being used by employees working with live electrical parts, leaving them vulnerable to multiple hazards," said Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA Dr. David Michaels.

NFPA Launches 2011 NEC Application for Smartphones

NEC Changes highlights changes between the 2008 NEC® and the 2011 NEC®. More than 500 updates and modifications, all accessible through smartphones, are provided free of charge.

Every program needs five main elements it is not only OSHA compliant, but remains effective and efficient.

How to Make Your LOTO Program Pay You Back

Many businesses think they are compliant, when in fact they are not. The number one most commonly cited part of the lockout/tagout regulation is lack of machine-specific procedures.

Incoming Chairman Takes Aim at IST

U.S. Rep. Peter King, R-N.Y., reportedly promised to remove any requirement that CFATS-covered facilities use inherently safer technologies once he becomes chairman of the Homeland Security Committee in January.

Chevron Division Gets Top Honors in OSHA's VPP

Chevron Energy Solutions announced that its operation of the central utility plant at Fort Detrick has earned Star Status from OSHA's Voluntary Protection Program.

DOL Announces Enforcement Plan to Protect Workers' Retirement, Health Benefits

The enforcement cases represent civil cases filed in federal district courts across the country to protect the contributions made by employees and matching contributions promised by their employers.

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