Hundreds of U.S. air marshals and federal Bureau of Prisons employees were exposed to dangerous levels of lead while pursuing required firearms proficiencies at gun ranges sanctioned by the federal government, according to an investigation by the Seattle Times.
MSHA’s Main says industry compliance is at 99 percent
August 19, 2015
One year ago this month, the landmark respirable dust rule went into effect, adding a number of increased protections for coal miners and closing several loopholes that masked their exposure to unhealthy coal mine dust.
Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health Dr. David Michaels yesterday announced a proposed new standard that would dramatically lower workplace exposure to beryllium, a widely used material that can cause devastating lung diseases.
Wants improved training, minimum age requirements for certified applicators
August 6, 2015
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing stronger standards for pesticide applicators who apply “restricted-use” pesticides. These pesticides are not available for purchase by the general public, require special handling, and may only be applied by a certified applicator or someone working under his or her direct supervision.
A rider included the U.S. Senate’s proposed fiscal year 2016 budget would block funding related to silica exposure regulations until additional studies are done.
In a move expected to result in years of legal wrangling, President Obama yesterday announced the most ambitious plan yet to sharply cut carbon pollution emitted by power plants.
Major new OSHA standards that cover millions of workers come few and far between. But in May, 2015, the agency published its long-awaited final rule on safety requirements for confined spaces in the construction industry.
New occupational safety and health regulations that went into effect last month in Canada’s Northwest Territories include a section on "Harassment" that regulates comments or conduct towards others at a worksite. Workers are prohibited from conducting themselves in ways that they know (or ought to reasonably know) are unwelcome by another worker or is a threat to the health or safety of other workers at a work site.
The American Petroleum Institute says it welcomes the federal government’s effort to align regulations for offshore well control with industry standards, but with a caveat: a warning that the unintended consequences of some elements of the proposed rule could make offshore operations less safe.
OSHA says it will postpone enforcing its Confined Spaces in Construction standard in response to requests for additional time to train and acquire the equipment necessary for compliance.