News
During two separate House hearings on the Department of Labor’s budget, Perez stood behind OSHA’s proposed silica rule, and says the Voluntary Protection Programs and the Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program are important.
Despite OSHA’s announcement that it would not develop a work-speed rule for the poultry and meatpacking industries, a worker protection coalition says it will continue efforts to push for enforceable standards.
Representatives from small businesses, during a recent House hearing, criticized OSHA for standards that cost millions of dollars to comply with.
A new proposed rule from OSHA would update eye and face protection requirements by incorporating the latest voluntary consensus standards.
OSHA is seeking new membership for its Whistleblower Protection Advisory Committee.
Notable proposed fines
$366,400 to Illinois recycling plants for lockout/tagout and fall violations
$108,000 to a Corning, NY-based dinnerware manufacturer for a variety of hazards, including amputation, fall and fire
$54,500 to a Missouri dairy farm for de-energized equipment and confined space violations following a worker’s 12-foot fatal fall from a ladder
$45,500 to a bowling alley in Ohio for guarding violations related to the asphyxiation of a worker, whose hooded sweatshirt was caught in a pinsetter
$26,000 to an Alabama bagel bakery for hazard communication and carbon monoxide violations related to the hospitalization of three workers for carbon monoxide overexposure
Review Counter
Below is a count of how many days recent OSHA proposals have been under review, as of March 23:
| # of Days | OSHA Proposal |
| 200 | Occupational Exposure to Beryllium (proposed rule) |
| 129 | Confined Spaces in Construction (final rule) |
The Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs – part of the White House’s Office of Management and Budget – reviews proposed regulations. The process is required for most rules before they can move forward, and typically takes 90 days.
The opinions expressed in "On Safety" do not necessarily reflect those of the National Safety Council or affiliated local Chapters.