Regulatory & Standards


2009 IAFC President Larry J. Grorud

Home Sprinkler Battle Continues

The International Association of Fire Chiefs is warning its members that homebuilder associations are introducing bills in state legislatures to ensure building codes do not require fire sprinklers in newly built homes. “We will not let this anti-residential sprinkler legislation deter our efforts to reduce fire loss in America,” said IAFC President Larry Grorud, shown here.

OSHA Cites Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturer Following Amputation Incident

OSHA has cited A.P. Dailey Custom Laminating Inc. of Windham, N.H., for 34 alleged serious violations of workplace safety and health standards. The manufacturer of custom kitchen cabinets and countertops faces a total of $44,500 in proposed fines following OSHA inspections prompted by an Aug. 1, 2008, accident in which a company employee lost two fingers while operating an unguarded saw.

OSHA Awards National Testing Recognition to NSF International

A notice was included in the Jan. 23 Federal Register announcing OSHA's final decision expanding the recognition of NSF International (NSF) as a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory under 29 CFR 1910.7.

DOT Welcomes New Secretary

Former Congressman Ray H. LaHood joined DOT as the sixteenth U.S. secretary of Transportation on Friday, Jan. 23, after Senate confirmation the previous day.

AMGA Unveils Health Care Reform Priorities

With the advent of the new administration and the 111th Congress, the American Medical Group Association (AMGA) recently announced its health care reform principles. Beginning with a call for universal access to health care, AMGA's priorities focus on systemic changes to improve the quality of health care for America's patients.

Trucking Firm to pay $2.43 Million to Settle EEOC Discrimination Lawsuit

An interstate trucking firm has agreed to pay $2.43 million and provide other remedial relief to a class of women to settle a major sex discrimination lawsuit brought by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the federal agency announced recently.

Coast Guard Sets March 5 Meeting on AIS Rule

The planned expansion of automatic identification systems and mandatory electronic submission of notices of arrival and departure will improve navigation safety, the Coast Guard says.

OSHA Issues Nine Serious Citations Following Laser Lab Accident

OSHA has cited the University of Rochester Laboratory for Laser Energetics for nine alleged serious safety violations and proposed $56,700 in fines against the laboratory as a result of an Aug. 6, 2008, accident that seriously injured an employee.



an in-trunk gun rack

Another Stohler Letter Could Restore Oklahoma's Gun Law

Filed Jan. 16 with the clerk of the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, this OSHA "statement of agency position" says the general duty clause does not preempt the Oklahoma statute barring employers from banning employees' firearms. The law is before the 10th Circuit because a federal judge in 2007 ruled the OSH Act preempts the state law.

OSHA Moves to Revise Fit Test Procedures, Seeks Comments

The proposed revisions would allow certain machine-based fit tests to be conducted more quickly and increase the required score for passing them.

Sweden Bans Remaining Uses of Mercury

The decision also means the country will require mercury waste generators to place the waste not on Swedish soil, but in deep repositories in other EU countries.

House Labor Committee Now 30-18 in Democrats' Favor

The membership of the full committee and its subcommittees was settled last night, with Chairman George Miller, D-Calif., saying strengthening the middle class and protecting retirement savings remain top priorities.

Oberon to Offer NFPA 70E Webinars

The sessions will cover the standard's four major principles, simplifying the industry jargon to explain when the standard is needed, who needs to comply with it, and why.

White House Review Touches Cranes, Diacetyl, Confined Space Rules

Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel’s memo told agency heads that regulations not yet published should be held for review and to consider a 60-day extension of the effective date for published regulations not yet in effect. This covers at least three OSHA regulations.

New Virginia Guidelines Aid Partially Disabled Workers

The Virginia Workers' Compensation Commission posted the guidelines for such workers, who must make a good-faith effort to find light duty work to continue receiving disability payments.

CPSC Announces Changes to Home Heating Vent Pipes Recall

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and various home heating furnace, boiler, and high-temperature plastic vent (HTPV) manufacturers are urging home owners who have not yet responded to the previously-announced 1998 recall, to do so immediately. After May 1, 2009, the remedy consumers receive under the existing program, which has been operating continuously for almost 11 years, will change.

Britain Raises Penalties for Most OSH Violations

A new law raising the maximum fine British lower courts can impose for most health and safety violations to about $29,000 took effect Jan. 16 in Great Britain.

CBP Reviews Performance of Trade Partnership Against Terrorism Program

"The world remains a dangerous place and we must keep improving and innovating C-TPAT to secure the global supply chain against acts of terrorism," said Bradd Skinner, C-TPAT director.

FDA Issues Public Health Advisory Alert on Skin Numbing Products

The Food and Drug Administration recently issued a Public Health Advisory to alert consumers, patients, health care professionals, and caregivers about potentially serious and life-threatening side effects from the improper use of skin numbing products. The products, also known as topical anesthetics, are available in over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription forms.

the scales of justice

OSHA Letter May Be Big Help to Respirator Manufacturers

Acting OSHA chief Thomas Stohler is the signer of the Jan. 9 letter, which ISEA requested on May 19, 2008. The letter's impact in courts isn't certain, but there are hundreds of thousands of pending claims, according to ISEA.

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