Note: Apologies for the later-than-usual post – I was out of town getting married.
News
OSHA seeks stakeholder comment on a proposal to update the agency’s PSM standard.
Notable proposed fines
$460,350 to a New York painting and stucco contractor for fall protection and scaffold violations
$133,000 to a rail car refurbishing facility in Kansas City, KS, for failing to abate previously cited violations, including exposing workers to falls and atmospheric hazards
$131,600 to a optical equipment manufacturer based in Victor, NY, for failing to abate previously cited violations, including unguarded moving parts and unapproved use of electrical equipment
$117,000 to a Illinois metal coil manufacturer for several violations, including lack of fire protection training and lockout/tagout procedures, and failing to provide machine guarding and overhead crane inspections
$50,400 to a cellular tower company in connection with a worker’s fatal fall in Mississippi
$7,000 to an Illinois electrical contractor in connection with the heat-related death to a worker on his first day on the job
Happening this week
Dec. 12 – Deadline to submit intentions to appear at a March 28 meeting in Washington on OSHA’s proposed Crystalline Silica Standard
Dec. 13 – Deadline to submit intentions to appear at a Jan. 9 meeting in Washington on OSHA’s proposed recordkeeping rule
Review Counter
Below is a count of how many days recent OSHA proposals have been under review, as of Dec. 10:
| # of Days | OSHA Proposal |
| 531 | Electric power transmission and distribution; electrical protective equipment (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 "Washington Wire" do not necessarily reflect those of the National Safety Council or affiliated local Chapters.