Month: March 2016
OSHA Delays Controversial PSM Chemical Concentration Enforcement Policy
Facing industry litigation and congressional criticisms, OSHA has delayed until the end of the 2016 fiscal year implementation of its controversial policy for determining threshold concentrations for when some so-called Appendix A chemicals are subject to the agency’s process safety management (PSM) standard for highly…
OSHA’s Silica Rule Headed For Release After Clearing White House Review
OSHA’s high-priority but controversial final rule seeking to limit workers’ exposure to crystalline silica dust appears to be poised for imminent release after it cleared review by the White House Office of Management & Budget (OMB), usually one of the last steps before such regulations…
Citing Benefits, OSHA Warns Of Penalties For Avoiding Injury Reporting Rule
OSHA chief David Michaels is touting the benefits of the agency’s stricter injury reporting rule after its first-year of implementation, but is warning that the many businesses that are still avoiding the rule’s requirements could face increased noncompliance penalties once the agency raises its penalty…
Obama’s High Court Pick Seen As Deferential To Agencies — But With Limits
Appellate court judge Merrick Garland, President Obama’s pick to replace the late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, is widely seen as deferential to OSHA and other agencies — though he has ruled against OSHA in at least one high-profile enforcement action which the agency is…
DOJ Takes Steps To Bolster Civil Enforcement For Workplace Violations
The Justice Department (DOJ) is taking a series of steps to bolster its civil enforcement efforts against workplace violations under federal environmental laws, adding to its high-priority effort to step up criminal enforcement against workplace safety violations under the pollution control statutes. “We are strengthening…
Lawyers Warn Of Stepped Up OSHA Enforcement, Penalties
Two lawyers are warning employers to expected stepped up enforcement and penalties by federal workplace safety regulators and are urging industry to review their environmental health and safety plans to ensure they comply with relevant regulatory requirements. Lou Ferreira and Cory Haller, attorneys at Stoel…
OSHA Plans Conference To Address Temporary Worker Safety
OSHA on Friday announced that it will host a conference in Illinois to address workplace safety and health concerns for temporary worker. The OSHA Safety Day Training Conference will be held on March 18 in Sugar Grove, IL, featuring sessions on industrial hygiene fundamentals, machine…
NIOSH Posts New Resources To Prevent Aerial Lift Falls, Injuries
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health and OSHA have released new resources to help employers better prevent fall injury and death when aerial lifts are being used. OSHA announced March 1 a new NIOSH webpage devoted to aerial lift safety, including guidance on…
OSHA Seeks Comment On Walking, Working Surfaces Information Collection Requirements
OSHA is requesting public comments on information collection requirements contained in its Walking and Working Surfaces Standard for General Industry. A Federal Register notice from OSHA states the agency is looking to determine the desired format and minimize the reporting burden of reporting requirements contained…
