The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration today announced that federal inspectors issued 499 citations, 61 orders and three safeguards during special impact inspections conducted at 15 coal and 15 metal/nonmetal mine operations last month.
EPA has chosen eight communities to receive technical assistance on sustainable growth and development issues. The assistance will help local governments address infrastructure constraints, protect water quality, set development standards, and create options for housing and transportation. EPA will work in collaboration with its partners at the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and Department of Transportation (DOT) to help communities become more environmentally and economically sustainable as part of the agency’s broader work through the Partnership for Sustainable Communities.
EPA is inviting small businesses to participate in an advocacy review panel focusing on formaldehyde. The agency plans to implement regulations for the new Formaldehyde Standards for Composite Wood Products Act, enacted in July 2010.The proposed regulation will establish limits for composite wood products (hardwood plywood, medium-density fiberboard, and particleboard) so these products meet emission standards.
OSHA is proposing to issue an interpretation of the term “feasible administrative or engineering controls” as used in the general industry and construction occupational noise exposure standards and to amend its current enforcement policy to reflect the interpretation. For the purpose of enforcing compliance with these standards, the proposal states that “feasible” has its ordinary meaning of capable of being done.
EPA is proposing to add nine hazardous waste sites that pose risks to human health and the environment to the general Superfund section of the National Priorities List (NPL). Superfund is the federal program that investigates and cleans up the most complex, uncontrolled or abandoned hazardous waste sites in the country.
OSHA chief Dr. Michaels said all the right, politically correct things in favor of his agency’s Voluntary Protection Program at this year’s National Safety Congress in San Diego, and then added that OSHA does not have the budget to boost enforcement as Dr. Michaels and Labor Secretary Solis want, while continuing to invest resources in VPP at past levels. He favors a fee-based model
Sorry Dr. Michaels (OSHA chief), the safety profession does not agree with your major push for an Injury and Illness Prevention Program (I2P2). The OSHA boss has told audiences it is long past time for requirements mandating that employers find and fix job hazards, and it is his number one standards priority.
Congress is considering legislation (unlikely to be enacted this year) to increase OSHA fines and make it easier to file criminal penalties against company execs following fatalities or serious injuries. In ISHN’s 27th annual White Paper reader survey, we asked pros for their opinion ofn this bill.
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