Due to a significant increase in adverse incidents, EPA is taking a series of actions to increase the safety of spot-on pesticide products for flea and tick control for cats and dogs. Immediately, EPA will begin reviewing labels to determine which ones need stronger and clearer labeling statements. Next, EPA will develop more stringent testing and evaluation requirements for both existing and new products. EPA expects these steps will help prevent adverse reactions. In dogs and cats that can include skin effects, such as irritation, redness, or gastrointestinal problems that include vomiting or diarrhea, or effects to the nervous system, such as trembling, appearing depressed or seizures—from pet spot-on products.
OSHA has established a new National Emphasis Program (NEP) focused on identifying and reducing or eliminating the health hazards to workers posed by occupational exposure to hexavalent chromium (CrVI) and a number of other toxic substances often found together with it, according to a post on the web site of ORC Worldwide, an EHS global consultancy based in Washington, DC.
OSHA has ordered Tennessee Commerce Bank in Nashville to reinstate a former corporate officer and pay more than $1 million in back wages, interest, attorney's fees, compensatory damages and other relief, according to an agency press release. The department found the bank had fired the individual in violation of the whistleblower protection provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
OSHA will hold an informal public hearing in Pittsburgh on March 31 regarding a proposed rule to align the agency’s Hazard Communication Standard with the United Nations’ Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals.
OSHA has scheduled its latest informal stakeholder meetings to continue soliciting comments and suggestions for protecting workers from combustible dust hazards in the workplace. Since 1980, more than 130 workers have been killed and more than 780 injured in combustible dust explosions, according to an agency press release.
The proposed settlement of the lawsuit by 9/11 rescue and recovery workers acknowledges what the scientific literature already confirms – that health harm occurred from exposure to World Trade Center-derived environmental contaminants, according to the New York Committee for Occupational Safety and Health.
OSHA is publishing for public comment a direct final rule requiring employers to notify workers of exposures to hexavalent chromium, according to an agency press release.
The American Industrial Hygiene Association in partnership with General Electric will present “Measurements of Hazardous Substances,” part of a series of internationally developed and peer reviewed training modules at the GE China Technology Center, in Shanghai China.
Blogger Celeste Monforton, a former colleague of OSHA boss Dr. David Michaels at George Washington University, wrote on the blog, “The Pump Handle” that “the subcommittee on Workforce Protections of the House Education and Labor Committee heard testimony (March 16) on the “Protecting America’s Workers Act” (PAWA) (H.R. 2067) from OSHA assistant secretary David Michaels. In the Obama/Solis’ Administration’s first official statement about the legislation, Dr. Michaels said they:
“strongly support the goals of PAWA”
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