S+H Staff

Washington – A group of 51 Congress members recently criticized the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration for allowing new hours-of-service regulations to go into effect before the agency completed a field study on the rule’s effectiveness.

Atlanta – At least 200,000 of the deaths from heart disease and stroke that occur each year could be prevented by lifestyle changes, according to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Los Angeles – Safety laws need strengthening, more regulations need to be issued, and workers should be better educated on job hazards and rights, a new resolution from the AFL-CIO declares.

Oakland, CA – California’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health has a new acting chief in the wake of Ellen Widess’ resignation.

Bluefield, WV – Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) met with miners, stakeholders, and miner safety and health advocates on Sept. 5 to discuss ending “black lung” – a deadly but preventable lung disease also known as coal workers’ pneumoconiosis.

Washington – The Environmental Protection Agency has launched a tool that aims to provide easier access to chemical safety and health data.

Washington – The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has updated the software it uses to calculate civil penalties for safety violations.

Washington – The Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service failed to thoroughly evaluate pilot programs used as the basis for a proposed rule to increase line speeds in poultry-processing facilities, according to a new Government Accountability Office report.

Washington – OSHA is accepting nominations for membership with the Federal Advisory Council on Occupational Safety and Health, the agency announced Sept. 6.

Washington – The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration is requesting public input on a proposal to enhance the safety and durability of rail tank cars used to transport hazardous materials.