Regulatory & Standards


NFPA 70E-2015 specifically defines ear canal inserts (ear plugs) as the required protection in all arc flash zones.

Get Acquainted With EU Safety Glove Standards

The classification of a glove in a particular test is usually defined as one of a series of performance levels. It is left to the user, following a suitable risk assessment exercise, to select a glove with a suitable profile.

Instead of a one-size-fits-all approach, an ESLI allows cartridge change-outs to occur based on each employee’s individual work hours, exposure levels, and breathing rates while also factoring in different environmental conditions. (3M Personal Safety Division photo)

Common Questions Safety Managers Ask About Using ESLIs for Organic Vapors

End-of-service-life indicators have the potential to help organizations minimize lost time, reduce workers' compensation costs, and help save on equipment costs.

MSHA Topped 1,000 Special Impact Inspections Last Month

The December 2015 inspections at 10 coal mines and seven metal and nonmental mines resulted in 163 citations and five orders.

International Code Council Taking Applications for Tall Wooden Buildings Panel

The committee will investigate the feasibility of, and take action on, developing code changes for tall wood buildings, and its work will continue through the 2018/2019/2020 cycle.

The explosion in West, Texas, prompted President Obama

West Report Calls for OSHA, EPA Regulatory Changes

The board's report calls on OSHA and EPA to strengthen their regulations to protect the public from hazards posed by fertilizer grade ammonium nitrate. "Overall," said CSB Lead Investigator Johnnie Banks, "the CSB's investigation found that training and reference materials did not adequately inform emergency responders about the potential for FGAN to detonate in a fire."

Massachusetts Roofing Contractor Exposes Workers to Fall Hazards: OSHA

A S General Construction faces $188,760 in OSHA proposed fines.

FDA Taking Comments on Cybersecurity Guidance for Medical Device Manufacturers

"All medical devices that use software and are connected to hospital and health care organizations' networks have vulnerabilities—some we can proactively protect against, while others require vigilant monitoring and timely remediation," said Dr. Suzanne Schwartz, M.D., M.B.A., associate director for science and strategic partnerships and acting director of emergency preparedness/operations and medical countermeasures in FDA's Center for Devices and Radiological Health.

Proposed Rule Updates Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act

The proposed rule would provide updates to the nondiscrimination and equal opportunity regulations.



The explosion in West, Texas, prompted President Obama

CSB's West Recommendations Coming Jan. 28

The safety board has a public meeting scheduled from 6-9 p.m. in Waco, Texas, near the explosion site.

The proposed rule would replace the current three-tier system of "satisfactory-conditional-unsatisfactory" for federally regulated commercial motor carriers with a single determination of "unfit."

FMCSA Proposes Rule to Focus on Higher-Risk Motor Carriers

"This update to our methodology will help the agency focus on carriers with a higher crash risk," said FMCSA Acting Administrator Scott Darling. "Carriers that we identify as unfit to operate will be removed from our roadways until they improve."

Foundation's Report Evaluates 2.5-Inch Connections' Actual Flow

The Technical Committee for NFPA 14 added the requirement for one 2.5-inch inlet per every 250 gallons per minute (gpm) in 2007, "but this requirement lacks supporting scientific documentation, so there was a need to conduct flow testing to determine the amount of water that is possible to flow into an FDC inlet," according to NFPA.

United Airlines Fined for Violating Airline Disability and Tarmac Delay Rules

United Airlines was fined $2.75 million by the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Power company AES (http://www.aesenergystorage.com/) provided a 10-megawatt Advancion 4 energy storage facility for the Kilroot power station in Northern Ireland.

NFPA May Develop Stationary Energy Storage System Standard

There is a March 1 deadline for public comments on whether the association should develop a standard addressing design, construction, installation, and commissioning of these increasingly popular systems.

FDA Announces Final Rule to Ban Chemicals in Pizza Boxes

The FDA announced it plans to ban three chemicals used in pizza boxes, as well as other food packaging.

Treating marijuana the same as alcohol is impossible for several reasons. There are no measurements for marijuana impairment that relate across the board to how we understand alcohol impairment.

New York State Medical Marijuana Program Launches Today

As of Jan. 5, nearly 150 doctors statewide had registered for the program and can certify their patients, if clinically appropriate for their qualifying condition and consistent with the department's guidance and regulations.

NIOSH Skin Documents Focus on Dermal Exposures

There are 45 Skin Notation Profiles available on the NIOSH website.

Beryllium is an occupational respiratory hazard. It is a lightweight, strong metal used principally in the aerospace and defense industries, according to OSHA.

OSHA Sets Informal Hearing on Beryllium Rule

The agency published the proposed rule Aug. 7, 2015, and took comments through Nov. 5, during which the the Non-Ferrous Founders' Society requested that OSHA schedule an informal public hearing on it.

In the protective toe footwear industry, there are several delivery models to choose from. The most common are utilizing a local store, web ordering, and shoemobile.

If the Shoe Fits . . . .

Footwear certified as meeting ASTM F2413-11 must first meet the requirements of impact resistance and compression resistance. Then the requirements of additional sections can be met.

"There is a strong public safety interest in ensuring that testing moves forward and that NHTSA has access to all test data," NHTSA Administrator Mark Rosekind said.

Taking Stock of 2015

One of the year's most significant enforcement developments occurred late in the year, in November: President Obama signed the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015.

If highly corrosive chemicals are used, the drench shower or eyewash should be placed immediately adjacent to the hazard. (Bradley Corp. photo)

Gearing Up for the Race Against Time

Is your emergency equipment up to the task?

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