Business & Industry

Washington – President Barack Obama issued an executive order on Aug. 1 directing the federal government to improve chemical safety and security in light of recent tragedies.

Falls Church, VA – Oil and gas workers are exposed to respirable crystalline silica during directional drilling and hydraulic fracturing operations, a new NIOSH study concludes.

Washington – OSHA exceeded its goal of increasing worksite inspections under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, but spent only 53 percent of the money it was allocated, according to a new audit report from the Department of Labor Office of Inspector General.

Washington – A coalition of advocacy groups is calling for the U.S. Department of Agriculture to restart the rulemaking process on a proposed poultry rule and address worker safety concerns.

Halifax, Nova Scotia – More than three years after Nova Scotia created a system to issue penalties to employers, supervisors and employees for workplace safety violations, the Canadian province has proposed revisions after receiving complaints that the system is unfair.

Tumwater, WA – Washington state is offering grants to fund innovative workplace safety and health or return-to-work programs.

Washington – The owner of the Deepwater Horizon offshore oil rig that exploded in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010 has been ordered to turn over internal investigation documents to the Chemical Safety Board in a July 23 ruling from the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

Washington – NIOSH has developed a new robotic manikin headform that will be used for respirator fit research.

Montpelier, VT – The Vermont agency tasked with helping to prevent workplace injuries among state government employees often fails to review incidents, and its recommendations go ignored, according to a new report from the Office of the Vermont State Auditor.

Washington – OSHA’s response to seven Chemical Safety Board recommendations has been “unacceptable,” the board declared during a July 25 meeting in Washington.