Standards News Archive
ASSE Wants Control Banding in OSHA’s Hazmat Communications Standard
Donald Garman, CSP, an American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) professional member and chair of the ASSE Global Hazard Communications (GHS) Task Force, testified on March 5 at OSHA’s public hearing on a proposed rule to align the agency’s Hazard Communications Standard (HCS) with the United Nation’s Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS). Garman said ASSE supports the goals of the proposed rule, and urged that control banding (CB) be included in the standard and that the standard be finalized soon...
OSHA Listens: Stakeholders Weigh in on VPP, Alliance Programs
During the March 4 OSHA Listens public meeting, safety stakeholders defended the Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP) and implored the agency not to drop the program’s funding or compromise its future...
OSHA Listens: Panel Discusses OSHA Enforcement, Outreach
As part of its March 4 “OSHA Listens” public meeting, OSHA Administrator David Michaels and other agency personnel met with stakeholders from a wide range of groups to discuss key issues facing the agency...
Coalition Seeks Workplace Safety Protections for Florida Public Sector Workers
On March 1, the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) and its Florida members relaunched efforts seeking occupational safety and health protections for Florida’s public sector workers...
Cummins Inc. Agrees to Pay $2.1 Million Penalty for EPA Clean Air Act Violations
EPA and the U.S. Department of Justice announced a settlement agreement with Cummins Inc., a major motor vehicle engine company based in Columbus, Ind., which will will pay a $2.1 million penalty and recall 405 engines. The agreement resolves violations of the Clean Air Act...
OSHA Cites C.A. Franc Construction Company $539,000 for Willful Fall Hazard
OSHA has fined the C.A. Franc construction company $539,000 following the investigation of a roofing worker who fell 40 feet to his death at a Washington worksite. The Valencia, Pa.-based roof installer owned by Christopher A. Franc, was cited for 10 per instance willful citations for failing to protect workers from falls. In a related criminal case, Christopher Franc pleaded guilty in federal court to a violation of 29 U. S. C. Section 666(e). Sentencing is scheduled for June 18...
Pittsburgh Construction Company Cited by OSHA for Lack of Fall Protection
A worker falling 225 feet to his death has resulted in OSHA citing Mariani & Richards Inc. for failing to protect workers from falls. OSHA began its investigation on Aug. 18, 2009, and found that Mariani & Richards did not provide workers with any fall protection while they were performing maintenance on the Pennsylvanian Building, a historic landmark in downtown Pittsburgh...
OSHA’s Safety Partnership with Skanska USA Focuses on Atlanta Window Replacement Project
OSHA and Georgia Tech’s On-Site Consultative Service are forming a new partnership with Skanska USA in Atlanta. The goal of the partnership is to ensure the highest level of worker safety and health during the replacement of all windows in the 73-story downtown Westin Peachtree Plaza hotel...
Massachusetts Contractor Faces Nearly $167,000 in OSHA Fines
Trenching safety hazards at two Massachusetts work sites have led to $166,950 in proposed fines for a Methuen, Mass., contractor. OSHA cited L. Perrina Construction Co. Inc. for a total of 23 alleged willful, serious and other-than-serious violations of safety standards following inspections at work sites in Quincy and Lynnfield, where the company was installing water mains...
Contempt Orders Issued, St. Louis Employer Ignoring OSHA Citations
OSHA announced that contempt of court orders have been issued against Brian Andre, former owner of Andre Tuckpointing and Brickwork (AT&B), Andre Stone and Mason Work Inc. (AS&MW) and Regina Shaw, owner of AS&MW. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit issued the contempt orders against the St. Louis-area company and Andre and Shaw for failing to comply with court orders enforcing citations of the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission (OSHRC)...
New MSHA Program Focuses on Outreach, Enforcement
The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) announced Feb. 2 it has launched a new outreach and enforcement program, “Rules to Live By,” designed to strengthen efforts to prevent mining fatalities...
Safety Groups Urge Commitment to Safety in Jobs Bill
The American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE), the International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA) and the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) recently joined together to stress that commitment to safe work be a focus in the Congressional Jobs Bill, HR 2847, which is now under consideration...
VPPPA: Despite Budget Concerns, VPP Will Continue to Thrive
Following the release of the OSHA FY 2011 budget request, which proposes reduced funding for compliance assistance programs, the Voluntary Protection Programs Participants’ Association Inc. (VPPPA) produced a video message stressing that the Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP) will continue to thrive even as the agency’s focus turns to enforcement...
New OSHA QuickCards Address Marine Cargo Handling Operations
OSHA recently developed three QuickCards addressing worker safety topics in Marine cargo handling operations. These pocket-sized, laminated cards are designed to provide brief, easy-to-understand safety and health information for workers...
ASSE Announces its Top Legislative and Regulatory Issues for 2010
The American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) says that 12 key issues will dominate announced its legislative and regulatory agenda for 2010, which is aimed at ensuring that advances in occupational safety and health legislation and regulation reflect the experience, expertise and best practices of ASSE’s member environment, health and safety (EHS) professionals...
EPA’s Budget Seeks Increased Environmental Protection
The Obama administration proposed a budget of $10 billion for EPA that includes $1.3 billion for cleanup of Superfund sites, $215 million for cleanup of brownfields and $27 million for the agency’s new Healthy Community Initiative...
DOL 2011 Budget Request Includes OSHA Increase, Focus on Enforcement
On Feb. 1, Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis outlined President Obama’s FY 2011 budget request for the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), which is built around the vision of “good jobs for everyone” and includes a $14 million proposed increase for OSHA....
OSHA Imposes Reflective Vests on Construction Industry Without Rulemaking
OSHA recently announced that all highway and road construction workers – not just flaggers – must wear reflective vests. It did this even though no OSHA standard imposes such a requirement and even though its standards only recommend reflective vests for non-flaggers...
OSHA Releases Workplace Injury and Illness Information
For the first time, OSHA has made the work-related injury and illness data collected from more than 80,000 employers from 1996 to 2007 available in a searchable online database, allowing the public to look at establishment or industry-specific injury and illness data...
Updated OSHA Guidance Aims to Protect Late-Night Retail Workers from Workplace Violence
OSHA recently updated its guidance document “Recommendations for Workplace Violence Prevention Programs in Late-Night Retail Establishments” that addresses issues causing late-night retail workers to be killed on the job...
EPA Strengthens Air Quality Standard for Nitrogen Dioxide
The first new NO2 standard in 35 years will improve air quality for millions, according to EPA, protecting millions of Americans from peak, short-term exposures that primarily occur near major roads. Short-term exposures to NO2 have been linked to impaired lung function and increased respiratory infections, especially in people with asthma...
OSHA Solicits Comments from Stakeholders, Plans Public Meeting
OSHA recently announced a Feb. 10 “OSHA Listens” public meeting in Washington, D.C., designed to solicit comments and suggestions from OSHA stakeholders on key issues facing the agency...
ISEA Announces Updated Standard for High-Vis Safety Apparel
An updated national consensus standard for high-visibility safety apparel from the International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA) now includes service-life guidelines and provides criteria and test requirements for garments marked as flame- or water-resistant...
OSHA Proposes $55,200 in fines to Pembroke, Mass., Contractor for Cave-In Hazard
OSHA has cited CELCO Construction Corp. for alleged willful, serious and other-than-serious violations of safety standards after an OSHA inspector observed a company employee working in an unprotected, 6-foot deep excavation at a Randolph, Mass., work site. The Pembroke, Mass., construction contractor faces a total of $55,200 in proposed fines...
Three Companies Cited by OSHA Following Explosion During Pipeline Construction
Three companies have been cited by OSHA for exposing workers to hazards during the construction of gas pipeline meter stations in Mississippi. Mustang Engineering L.P., Grand Bluff Construction LLC and Priority Energy Services received citations for failing to protect their workers after one died and three others were critically injured...
