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With OSHA’s spring semiannual agenda expected to be published shortly, I thought it would be a good time to check out what the agency has accomplished since the previous agenda was released.

Nashville, TN – Combustible iron dust was involved in two flash fires at the Hoeganaes Corp. plant in Gallatin, TN, according to test results released by the Chemical Safety Board on May 11.

Washington – The Office of Management and Budget is reviewing an OSHA rule that would revise or eliminate requirements in several standards.

The Safe Teen and Novice Driver Uniform Protection (STANDUP) Act recently was introduced in Congress by Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Reps. Tim Bishop (D-NY) and Randy Hultgren (R-IL).

Washington – OSHA’s current rule on occupational exposure to respirable crystalline silica is “unacceptable” and the permissible exposure limit should be lowered, the American Thoracic Society said recently.

Washington – Drivers who want a commercial learner’s permit must meet the same requirements necessary to hold a commercial driver’s license and will be subject to the same disqualification penalties, according a final rule published May 9 by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

Washington – New initiatives will take place this spring and summer in an effort to improve passenger bus safety, Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood announced May 5.

Washington – The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration on May 9 placed four additional research documents in the docket concerning hours of service for commercial motor vehicle drivers and extended the comment period of a related notice of proposed rulemaking.

Washington – Two senators have introduced a bill they hope will lead to increased public safety and an enhanced wireless communications emergency network.

Atlanta – The guide for healthy international travel issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has been updated to include sections on military deployments, studying abroad and attending mass gatherings.