Regulatory & Standards


A sound-level meter, as shown in this Casella USA photo, is a hand-held device that allows a competent third party to take measurements at the ear of a worker with the instrument pointing at the noise source.

The Use of Noise Dosimeters in the Workplace

Margin of error should be accounted for and the worst-case scenario measurement taken as the reading, particularly when close to an action level.

Moving Van Firm Fined $281,000 for Holding Property Hostage

FMCSA issued citations and fines against Moving Van Lines following an extensive investigation of consumer complaints against the moving company. FMCSA found the company in violation of 28 counts of failing to relinquish possession of a household goods shipment (hostage load), and one count of collecting fees more than the original binding estimate.

Staffing Agency Agrees to Pay $585,000 to Settle Discrimination Lawsuit

EEOC alleged that the company failed to place a former employee and a class of African Americans into warehouse positions because of their race and their national origin when it took over operations from a predecessor company.

Walt Disney World Agrees to Pay $433,819 in Back Wages

A Wage and Hour Division investigator found that inventory control clerks in the park's Food and Beverage Department were not paid for work activities occurring before and after their normal shifts.

Texas Chemical Plant Cited $1.4 Million for Acid Waste Violations

"We are concerned that wastes from mineral processing and associated fertilizer production can pose a serious risk to our nation’s drinking water and the health of families," said Cynthia Giles, assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance.

Utah Transit Authority to Pay $130,000 for Firing Whistleblower

The complaint filed with OSHA alleged that the Utah Transit Authority had discharged the worker in retaliation for raising security concerns centered around the transit authority's issuance of keys to access the railroad's controls and switches for signals and tracks.

Labor Day drunk driving enforcement

Labor Day Drunk Driving Crackdown Begins

“Our message is loud and clear. If you drive drunk you will be arrested and prosecuted,” said NHTSA Administrator David Strickland.

FAA Proposes Its Largest-Ever Civil Penalty Against American Airlines

FAA determined that 286 of the airline’s MD-80s were operated on a combined 14,278 passenger flights while the aircraft were not in compliance with federal regulations.



Energy Firm Fined $2.4 Million Following Fatal Pipeline Spill

An extensive accident investigation conducted by PHMSA found Enbridge failed to safely and adequately perform maintenance and repair activities, clear the designated work area from possible sources of ignition, and hire properly trained and qualified workers.

FDA Releases Guidance on Federal Menu Labeling Requirements

Section 4205 of the Affordable Care Act, signed into law in March 2010, set new federal requirements for nutrition labeling for foods sold at certain chain restaurants and similar retail food establishments.

Gun Range Cleaning Company Cited $2M for Overexposing Workers to Lead

"The company even knew its workers suffered from lead poisoning, yet avoided proper medical attention in favor of providing an unapproved and potentially unsafe treatment," said Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA Dr. David Michaels.

Eliminating hazardous conditions on the high seas is one of the goals of NTSB.

NTSB to Host Fishing Vessel Safety Forum

"Creating a safer environment and eliminating hazardous conditions on the high seas is one of the goals of the NTSB," said Robert Sumwalt, NTSB board member. "The forum will provide a great opportunity to identify strategies to improve safety."

FDA Seizes $859,000 of Food from Rodent-Infested Warehouse

Investigators found 14 live rodents, seven dead rodents, 23 gnaw holes on multiple food containers, multiple containers of food containing rodent pellets, four rodent nests, and apparent rodent pellets too numerous to count.

CFATS Agriculture Surveys Due Sept. 20

DHS seeks the information from 1,274 "high-risk" facilities that may sell, transfer, or commercially apply products, such as pesticides and fertilizers, that contain chemicals on the agency's list.

Panels Studying Safety Features of High-Speed Trains

On July 28, an engineering task force of a passenger safety working group for the Federal Railroad Administration was asked to concentrate on developing crashworthiness and occupant protection recommendations, with an eye toward projects planned in California and Florida.

Cal/OSHA Adopts Revised Heat Safety Regulations

High-heat procedures are now required for five industries when temperatures reach 95 degrees or above: agriculture; construction; landscaping; oil & gas extraction; and transportation or delivery of agricultural products, construction material, or other heavy materials.

Oil Spill Workers Not Being Properly Certificated; OSHA Responds

OSHA head Dr. David Michaels said employers are allegedly withholding written certificates attesting successful completion of HAZWOPER training to prevent workers from leaving their employ.

K-12 School Equipment Safety Standard in the Works

The standard covers electrical and fire safety, VOC emissions, materials safety, and stability and load performance, and it includes requirements for desks, chairs, tables, visual communication products, audio-visual equipment, seating equipment, flooring, lab equipment, and more.

Company Fined $542,400 Following Fatal Mine Rib Collapse

The mining operation, located in Wise County, Va., was cited for five contributory violations in the August 2009 death of an electrician/repairman who was fatally injured when a portion of mine rib collapsed upon him.

MSHA Releases Ventilation Guidelines for Coal Mines

MSHA decided to distribute this alert based on testimony delivered during a House Education and Labor Committee hearing in Beckley, W.Va., in May that raised serious questions as to whether or not the Upper Big Branch mine was properly following ventilation standards prior to the explosion on April 5.

Featured

Artificial Intelligence