Regulatory & Standards


MSHA Announces Final Rule on Coal Mine Dust Sampling Devices

"The final rule upgrades the approval requirements for the existing dust sampler that has been in use since passage of the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969,” said Joseph A. Main, assistant secretary of labor for mine safety and health.

Fire Co. to Pay at Least $180K to Extinguish Age Discrimination Suit

“We welcome the decision to settle this case in a way that ensures that these brave firefighters, who do heroic work, do not receive different retirement benefits simply because of their age,” said EEOC Chair Jacqueline A. Berrien.

EPA Proposes Adding 16 Chemicals to Toxics Release Inventory List

Each of the chemicals is "reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen," the agency said, noting the additions would be the first program chemical expansion in more than a decade.

FDA Provides Information to Consumers About Triclosan

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently updated its Web site with information about triclosan, a common ingredient added to many consumer products to reduce or prevent bacterial contamination. It may be found in antibacterial soaps and body washes, toothpastes, and some cosmetics--products regulated by the FDA.

Secretary of Labor to Convene Latino Worker Health, Safety Summit

The Department of Labor recently announced that Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis will convene a National Action Summit for Latino Worker Health and Safety on April 14 and 15 in Houston. Opening day events will include a keynote address by Solis and employees sharing their workplace experiences.

New OSHA Document Addresses Shipbreaking Worker Safety

Shipbreaking workers are exposed to asbestos, falls, electric shock and fires when removing gear and equipment from outdated ships and breaking down these vessels for recycling. OSHA's Safe Work Practices in Shipbreaking document offers ways to help protect workers from injury and death and outlines employers' obligations for providing safe work environments for their workers.

New Jersey Railroad Ordered to Pay More than $500K for Retaliatory Acts

According to OSHA, in February 2008, the railroad brought an employee up on charges for missing work after suffering a work-related illness from witnessing a fatal accident involving another worker.

Northeastern to Host Global Regulation of Nanotechnologies Conference

Leading international experts on the global regulation of nanotechnologies, including scientists, lawyers, ethicists, government officials, industry stakeholders, and nongovernment officials will join in a two-day conference May 7-8, 2010, at Northeastern University's School of Law in Boston.



Iowa Becomes 21st State to Ban Texting for All Drivers

NHTSA says distracted or inattentive driving has become a national epidemic, accounting for an estimated 6,000 deaths and half-a-million injuries in 2008. In 2009, more than 200 distracted driving bills were under consideration by state legislatures, and the pace is expected to increase this year.

DOJ Seeks Permanent Injunction against Texas Egg Roll Manufacturer

The Department of Justice, in an action initiated by the FDA, is seeking a permanent injunction against Chung’s Products LP ("Chung's"), an egg roll manufacturer in Houston; Charlie A. Kujawa, the company's president; and Gregory S. Birdsell, the firm's director of quality assurance.

Bimbo Bakeries Fined $230K for 'Systemic Problems' in California

“Our inspections have shown that the company has not fully addressed ongoing safety issues that expose employees to serious harm,” said Cal/OSHA Chief Len Welsh. “Our actions today continue to send a strong message to this company that they cannot allow such hazards to exist which put the safety of their employees in jeopardy.”

ASSE Paves Way for Work Zone Safety Webinar

The free, one-hour event will focus in part on the new A10.47 standard, which covers flagger safety, run over/back over prevention, equipment operator safety, illumination, PPE, and more.

foot protection

The Art of Making Tough Boots

Manufacturing a protective boot that can meet exacting national standards is challenging enough. When the relevant industry adds its own performance testing to the mix, as the aluminum smelter industry around the world has done, the challenge grows — but this happens for all the right reasons.

It is estimated more than 3 billion syringes generated outside of health care are discarded in regular trash annually.

Assessing the Hidden Problem of Medical Waste Disposal

Throwing sharps containers, red bags, and spill cleanup materials into the trash sends up a red flag to commercial or municipal trash collectors because they are not allowed to take this waste.

U.S. Airforce

Service Before Self

At approximately 10 a.m. on March 25, 2009, an F-22 crashed northeast of Edwards Air Force Base, killing David Cooley, 49, of Palmdale, Calif., a 21-year veteran test pilot. During the days of World Wars I and II, this may have been all too common an occurrence with test pilot deaths occurring weekly, but today, with advances in safety and technology, a test pilot's death happens on the average of once every two to three years.

This Encon Safety portable, 37-gallon pressurized wash station includes both eyewash and a drench hose.

Agriculture Eyewash/Shower Changes Proposed by Oregon OSHA

Public hearings are set for April 27 in Hood River and April 29 in Salem to discuss the proposed changes.

The key question may be how FDA should assess neutrality of prescription drug maker presentations of information about side effects and effectiveness.

FDA Taking Comments on Rx Ads' Side Effects Content

The requirement that direct-to-consumer TV and radio ads for prescription drugs present information about side effects and contraindications in a clear, conspicuous, neutral manner was in the Food and Drug Administration Amendments Act of 2007.

Texas Tower Manufacturer Cited for 41 Safety, Health Violations

The company, which manufactures guyed and self-supporting towers and monopoles, was charged with three willful and 38 serious violations.

Free Webinar Series to Focus on Textile Safety, Testing, Regulation

The first installment will highlight recent enhancements to the global Oeko-Tex® Restricted Substances List (RSL) and the Oeko-Tex® Standard 100 Certification, which ensures that textiles are tested to be free from dangerous levels of more than one hundred substances believed to be harmful to human health.

Seat Belt Champion Awards Presented to Three Florida Legislators

It is estimated that the move in Florida from a secondary to a primary seat belt law, enacted last summer, will save the state 940 lives, prevent almost 150,000 injuries, and reduce costs by $5.5 billion in the first five years alone.

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