Government Safety Regulations - Articles - Page 171

ASSE submits comment on OSHA's proposed silica rule

Rule "probably not entirely technologically feasible" for all employers

February 3, 2014

ASSE commends OSHA for addressing this issue through rulemaking in an effort to further reduce the incidences of occupational illnesses such as silicosis and cancer in general industry, maritime and construction work. While some may debate the science underlying the findings set forth in the proposed rule, overexposure to crystalline silica has been linked to occupational illness since the time of the ancient Greeks, and reduction of the current permissible exposure limit (PEL) to that recommended for years by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) is long overdue.

Silica exposure due to an unsafe work practice. Photo by NIOSH/John Rekus.

OSHA extends comment period on proposed silica rule - again

Due to website glitch, deadline is now February 11

January 27, 2014

OSHA’s beleaguered proposal to reduce silica exposure levels for workers has encountered yet another delay, due to possible public confusion over an error on www.regulations.gov, the federal government's online portal for submitting rulemaking comments.

Public Citizen: Proposed change in injury/illness reporting would fix current lag

Are corporations more concerned about reputations than worker safety?

January 24, 2014

Advocacy group Public Citizen is characterizing opposition to OSHA’s proposal to require electronic reporting of injury and illness data as corporations worried about being “named and shamed” by the online posting of the data that is part of the proposal.

From Industry Today

Opinion: Proposed OSHA rules

Proposed OSHA rules get manufacturers' attention

January 23, 2014

A new OSHA proposal to create a public data base of workplace injuries and illnesses is receiving immediate opposition from the business community, specifically the manufacturing sector.

Highlights of OSHA’s web chat on its proposed silica rule, Part 3

"What impact will this rule have on small businesses?"

January 23, 2014

OSHA held a web chat last week on its proposed rule on Occupational Exposure to Respirable Crystalline Silica that gave small businesses and other stakeholders the opportunity to ask questions about a proposal that OSHA predicts will prevent thousands of deaths from silicosis, lung cancer, and other diseases among the American workforce. Following are some of the exchanges that took place during the web chat:

"Highlights of OSHA’s web chat on its proposed silica rule, Part 2

"What assistance is OSHA going to give to small employers?'

January 22, 2014

OSHA held a web chat last week on its proposed rule on Occupational Exposure to Respirable Crystalline Silica that gave small businesses and other stakeholders the opportunity to ask questions about a proposal that OSHA predicts will prevent thousands of deaths from silicosis, lung cancer, and other diseases among the American workforce.

Missed OSHA’s Jan.14 web chat on its proposed silica rule?

We’ve got the highlights for you

January 21, 2014

OSHA fielded some tough questions last week during its web chat on its proposed rule on Occupational Exposure to Respirable Crystalline Silica. Cost concerns popped up frequently during the interactive session, which was intended to provide small businesses and other stakeholders the opportunity to ask questions about a proposal that OSHA predicts will prevent thousands of deaths from silicosis, lung cancer, and other diseases among the American workforce.

Goodbye to an OSHA champion, and his era of idealism

Dave Johnson

January 20, 2014

Last week the Politico Playbook daily newsletter noted the coming retirement of Rep. George Miller (D-CA) by saying the 40-year veteran of Congress was one of the last of the Democratic “Watergate babies”… “part of a post-Vietnam 70s generation filled with moral certitude.”

Testimony of Tom Lawrence to OSHA’s Public Hearing on Improve Tracking of Workplace Injuries and Illnesses

Tom Lawrence CSP, P.E.

January 17, 2014

I am Tom Lawrence from the St. Louis, MO area. I have chemical engineering degrees and 43 years’ experience as a safety professional. I am here today to vigorously oppose this proposed regulation.

Congress reminds OSHA of small farm exemption

Grain bin safety issues caused a furor

January 16, 2014

Congress is using an omnibus appropriations bill scheduled to be voted on this week to remind OSHA of a 36-year-old Congressional exemption that keeps small farms out of the agency’s regulatory reach. The language added to the bill “makes crystal clear…that OSHA policies and inspectors better get in line with the law,” according to U.S. Sen. Mike Johanns (R-Neb.).