News

Arlington, VA – The Mine Safety and Health Administration has delayed until Oct. 2 the effective date of a final rule intended to improve pre-shift examinations of metal and non-metal mines, according to a notice published in the May 22 Federal Register.

Washington – Days after his May 10 release from federal prison after serving a one-year sentence for violating mine safety laws, former Massey Energy Co. CEO Don Blankenship sent a letter to President Donald Trump asking him not to consider legislation that would strengthen punishments for mine supervisors who knowingly flout safety rules.

Washington – The Environmental Protection Agency has delayed until May 22, 2018, the effective date for its revised Certification and Training of Pesticide Applicators final rule.

Washington – The Federal Railroad Administration has delayed by one year the dates for railroads to comply with training requirements in the Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008, according to a notice published in the May 3 Federal Register.

Grain Valley, MO – The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Associations has released a video demonstrating the dangers of speed limiters in large trucks, as part of a campaign opposing a proposed rule that would require installation of the devices on trucks, buses and multipurpose passenger vehicles weighing more than 26,000 pounds.

Washington – OSHA has changed its policy on allowing employees at non-union workplaces to choose a union-affiliated representative for “walkaround” inspections, according to an April 25 memo sent to regional administrators.

Washington – OSHA has announced that it will be extending the deadline for certain employers to submit injury and illness data as part of its "Improve Tracking of Workplace Injuries and Illnesses" final rule published in May 2016.

Arlington, VA – In response to new regulations and standards, the International Safety Equipment Association has updated its Personal Fall Protection Equipment Use and Selection Guide.

Washington – Five members of Congress on May 15 introduced a bill that would reinstate OSHA’s so-called “Volks” rule, a previously overturned law that addressed employers’ “ongoing obligation” to make and maintain accurate records of work-related injuries and illnesses.

Alphen aan den Rijn, The Netherlands – A new policy paper from the Emergency Nurses Association and the International Nurses Society on Addictions emphasizes “alternative-to-discipline” methods for nurses and nursing students who may be struggling with drug and alcohol addiction.