​News

In recognition of Labor Day, Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis stresses the importance of everyone being responsible to ensure labor rights, especially for vulnerable workers.

“The state of VPP is good,” assistant OSHA administrator Jordan Barab tells an industry group.

The Standard Improvement Project IV is underway, focusing on streamlining construction standards.

OSHA clarifies to regional administrators how employers can be removed from the Severe Violator Enforcement Program.

Notable proposed fines

$167,090 to a Tulsa, OK, manufacturing plant for several safety and health citations, including alleged failures to protect against energy sources or shock from electrical cords, and failing to provide personal protective equipment

$145,530 to a Georgia-based steel wire plant in connection with a worker who died after being pulled into a machine

$128,700 to a Montana saw mill following a complaint alleging workers had been injured; citations were related to fall hazards, personal protective equipment, and energy control

$111,000 to a Louisiana gas processing facility for several alleged violations – including process safety management requirements – related to a cryogenic liquid explosion and fire that injured a worker

$104,200 to a meat processing plant in Nebraska in connection to a crushing death of a worker

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.

• 568 days – Silica (proposed rule)
• 287 days – Modernizing OSHA’s reporting system for injuries and illnesses (proposed rule)
• 69 days – Electric power transmission and distribution; electrical protective equipment (final rule)
• 12 days – Standards Improvement Project IV (pre-rule)

Happening this week

Sept. 4 – Deadline to submit nominations for membership in the Federal Advisory Council on Occupational Safety and Health

Sept. 5 – Deadline to register for a Sept. 20-21 meeting in Texas discussing federal agencies’ possible use of a performance-based regulatory model

Sept. 6 – General Industry Safety Conference and Expo, co-sponsored by OSHA’s Cincinnati Area Office, taking place in Hamilton, OH

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