Regulatory & Standards


Registration Opens for OH&S Virtual Event 2010

This April 7, 2010, all-day event will allow attendees to access product information and whitepapers, chat in real time with exhibitors, seek and share advice with other attendees, and learn about important industry developments taking place this year.

CSB Investigates Accidents at DuPont Chemical Facility

DuPont officials told the CSB that a braided steel hose connected to a 1-ton capacity phosgene tank suddenly ruptured, releasing phosgene into the air. The phosgene release followed two other accidents at the same plant the same week, including an ongoing release of chloromethane from the plant’s Hexazinone unit, which went undetected for several days, and a release from a spent sulfuric acid unit.

Three Kentucky Coal Mines Sued for Nearly $665K in Delinquent Civil Penalties

"There is no excuse for mine operators to deliberately flout their obligations to pay civil penalties for safety and health violations," said Joseph A. Main, assistant secretary of labor for mine safety and health.

Federal Agencies Map a Better System

Food safety is getting renewed attention from Congress and the two federal agencies chiefly charged with safeguarding the nation's food supply: the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) of the USDA.

The proposed Michigan ergonomics standard defines "rrgonomic hazards" as conditions where intervention may be necessary to prevent a musculoskeletal disorder.

Michigan's Ergonomics War Set to Resume

With the regulatory impact statement and economic analysis all but done, Michigan OSHA's controversial proposed ergonomics standard could reach the public hearings stage in about 90 days.

ASSE Urges Senator to Support Public Sector Work Coverage in OSHA Reform Legislation

“Millions of workers are not provided federal occupational safety and health protections due to the fact that the OSH Act only requires such coverage in states with their own occupational safety and health plans,” Patton wrote.

The Health and Safety Executive manages a registry of tower cranes that will be in effect April 6, 2010.

Guidance Preps UK Construction Sector for Crane Reports

Beginning April 6, the Health and Safety Executive must be notified within 14 calendar days of a competent person's inspection of a tower crane that is assembled on site.

Utility Company to Pay $500 Million to Resolve Pollution Violations

“Today’s settlement sets the most stringent limit for sulfur dioxide emissions ever imposed on a coal-fired power plant in a federal settlement,” said Cynthia Giles, assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance.



Congressman Markey

Climate Change Summit on Tap in Boston

Speakers including Congressman Edward Markey (pictured), EPA's Gina McCarthy, the National Grid's Thomas King, and others will discuss the future of the low-carbon economy in an all-day event Feb. 12 at the Boston Harbor Hotel.

OSHA Moves to Restore MSD Column to 300 Form

In 2001, OSHA separated noise and MSDs into two separate columns on the form, but the MSD column was deleted in 2003 before the provision became effective. OSHA is now proposing to restore the MSD column and will host a public meeting on the proposal March 9.

OSHA to Hold Informal Meetings on Proposed Combustible Dust Standard

The agency is conducting the two meetings in Atlanta to make it easier for families of those who perished in the 2008 Imperial Sugar Co. explosion in Port Wentworth, Ga., to attend.

Obama Nominates USDA's Hagen as Food Safety Under Secretary

Hagen is currently the USDA's chief medical officer, serving as an advisor to USDA mission areas on a wide range of human health issues.

DOL Launches Transparency Web Page

In an effort to comply with the Open Government Directive, DOL has released six high-value datasets for public use. The datasets include OSHA’s Data Initiative, which provides establishment-specific injury and illness rates, and DOL’s Research and Evaluation Inventory.

Hi vis standard update

ISEA Updates Hi-Vis Standard with Flame-Resistance, Service Life Criteria

Though the revision does not change the long-standing requirements for compliant garments with respect to classification and color, it does address their usable life and issues for the wearer related to flame-resistance and use during rainfall.

Lime Production Facility Pays $280K to Settle Air Pollution Charges

As part of the settlement, the facility also will perform visible emissions readings, limit the sulfur content of any coal or fuel oil burned in its rotary kiln, and achieve a lower sulfur dioxide emission rate from the kiln. These requirements are estimated to reduce the plant's sulfur dioxide emissions by 425,000 pounds per year.

Fish Oil Producer Caught Failing to Report Sulfuric Acid Storage

In addition to paying a $13,166 penalty, the company agreed to provide more than $8,800 for training and equipment to the City of Hoquiam (Wash.) Fire Department to improve the department's capabilities in responding to hazardous materials emergencies.

California Company Busted Trying to Send e-Waste to China

The waste was part of a shipment of approximately 31,993 pounds of cathode ray tubes that had been rejected in Hong Kong and returned to the Port of Long Beach.

U.S. Files Major Settlements with Portland Cement, Container Glass Plants

"[T]hese settlements call for tough new controls and innovative technologies to cut down on harmful air emissions that threaten the health of millions of Americans," said Cynthia Giles, assistant administrator for EPA's Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance.

DOJ Settles Milwaukee Lawsuit to Enforce Air National Guard Member's Rights

The Department of Justice recently announced that it has reached a settlement in its lawsuit against the city of Milwaukee on behalf of Michael Crivello, a detective in the Milwaukee Police Department, alleging the city violated the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994.

The Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act bans use of "light," "low," or "mild" or "similar descriptors" in tobacco product labeling or advertising as of June 22, 2010.

FDA Moving on Tobacco Marketing Claims

The agency asked Tuesday for comments about packaging that uses adjectives such as "silver" or "smooth," pastel or white colors, using the letter L, and displaying terms such as "natural" and "no additives."

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