S+H Staff

Washington – The U.S. Coast Guard has extended its deadline to Sept. 8 for public comment on a proposed rule that would expand maritime safety training requirements.

Washington – Truck drivers who use laptops, tablets or smartphones to update their records of duty status no longer will have to print and sign paper copies of the documents, according to new regulatory guidance from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

Washington – The Temporary Workers Workgroup of OSHA’s National Advisory Committee on Occupational Safety and Health is scheduled to meet July 28 in Washington.

Houston – More than 70 percent of U.S. firefighters are overweight or obese, and many may not be receiving weight management advice from their health care provider, according to recent research from the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston.

Washington – NIOSH recently launched an affiliate program for its Total Worker Health initiative.

Washington – The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is considering new rules to help prevent fatalities caused by vehicles sliding underneath tractor-trailers and single-unit trucks.

Atlanta – The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced it has immediately stopped shipment of high-hazard biological materials – pending review from an advisory committee – after incidents of anthrax exposure and shipment of bird flu.

Washington – The Office of Management and Budget is reviewing a controversial U.S. Department of Agriculture final rule that would speed up poultry-processing lines, a move safety advocates warn could lead to more worker injuries.

Washington – In response to recent worker deaths at demolition sites, OSHA has updated its webpage and safety resources addressing common hazards in the construction demolition industry.

Washington – Industrial safety in the United States has fallen behind other countries, putting workers’ lives at risk, according to a report from Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility.