News

Hawaii seeks to hand over part of its occupational safety and health enforcement to federal OSHA.

Nominations for four open positions on the National Advisory Committee on Occupational Safety and Health are being accepted through Sept. 10.

Notable proposed fines

$184,000 to a Chicago-based meat processing plant for lockout/tagout hazard violations following worker injuries, including an amputation

$162,800 to a Georgia manufacturer during a follow-up inspection for allegations that the company did not correct previously cited lockout/tagout and fall violations

$116,270 to an Illinois-based company for allegations that its Nebraska facility had uncorrected confined space hazards previously cited by the agency

Review counter

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.

Below is a count of how many days recent OSHA proposals have been under review, as of today:

• 532 days – Silica (proposed rule)
• 251 days – Modernizing OSHA’s reporting system for injuries and illnesses (proposed rule)
• 33 days – Electric power transmission and distribution; electrical protective equipment (final rule)

Happening this week

July 31 – Aug. 2 – Free OSHA training for federal government agency staff on keeping federal workers safe on the job

The opinions expressed in "Washington Wire" do not necessarily reflect those of the National Safety Council or affiliated local Chapters.