We can scarcely blame the alarming federal deficit on OSHA and MSHA funding, but then again, their funding has increased steadily in recent years. Congress and the Bush administration both are responsible for this. There was no urgency this year to finish work on the U.S. Labor Department's FY2009 budget, which covers operations and expenses from Oct. 1, 2008, to Sept. 30, 2009.
Insurance quotes showed a $22 average annual discount for a theoretical prototype house in nine U.S. communities and one in Canada, or 3.42 percent of the annual premium.
The agency also will hold a public hearing on the proposal on Oct. 14 via webcast.
Stakeholders may participate from a total of five sites when MSHA takes comments on the proposed rule, which aims to curb illegal drug and alcohol use by miners and supervisors.
The standard is intended to serve as a guide for window cleaners, regulatory agencies, manufacturers, architects, consultants, designers, and building owners.
The agency posted 14 letters of interpretation last Friday on topics ranging from HazCom to emergency eyewash, safe sharps, and construction safety training.
The Environmental Protection Agency, in conjunction with Google Earth, released an interactive map Wednesday that identifies thousands of old, contaminated properties that could be reused as renewable energy sites.
Gov. Schwarzenegger signed SB 28 on Wednesday, the same day the expo of the 96th Annual National Safety Congress & Expo closed in Anaheim.
"Participants will learn how to ensure that signal word and color combinations used on safety signs are in agreement with the level of risk in the particular safety situation," says event presenter Gary Bell. "If safety is your job, learn to warn effectively."
The agency's Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking includes several questions for public comment related to current employer practices, along with tasks, tools, equipment, machines, vehicles, processes, controls, and procedures involved in tree care operations. Comments must be submitted by Dec. 17.
Seven standards, one guideline, and various addenda to standards are open for review. Plus, the association is proposing the withdrawal of Standard 52.1-1992 "Gravimetric and Dust-Spot Procedures for Testing Air-Cleaning Devices Used in General Ventilation for Removing Particulate Matter."
The Environmental Protection Agency announced Wednesday that it will update its inventory of industrial chemicals to more accurately reflect the most commonly used chemicals in commerce. The agency wants to update the current Toxic Substances Control Act Inventory as part of its Chemical Assessment and Management Program.
OSHA's inspection found that the office did not provide the injured employee with no-cost, post-exposure medical evaluation and follow-up, and did not have the blood of the source individual tested, as required under OSHA's bloodborne pathogens standard.
Specifically, the agency proposes to add export notification and consent requirements for spent lead-acid batteries and to revise the existing RCRA regulation regarding the transboundary movement of hazardous wastes for recovery among countries belonging to the OECD, among other revisions.
"Although there is still work to do, this precedent-setting vote will change the face of fire safety in America," said Chief Larry J. Grorud, IAFC president (shown).
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issued a new Stormwater Multi-Sector General Permit Monday for an estimated 4,100 industrial facilities in 29 different sectors to implement stormwater pollution prevention plans to protect water quality.
Among other measures, the agency is proposing to require bottled water manufacturers to test for the bacterium E. coli, an indicator of fecal contamination, if any coliform organisms are detected in source water or finished bottled water products.
According to OSHA, it all matters whether the employee's normal work schedule includes one or more work-from-home days.
The action is a temporary prohibition pending formal rulemaking. A June 2008 accident and the Sept. 12 Metrolink collision in Chatsworth prompted the ban.
Contractors say the proposal, which OSHA issued to clarify that certain respiratory and training standards apply on a per-employee basis, is a threat. And the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's comments predict a court will strike it down.