Labor

Washington – Seeking to revamp its Voluntary Protection Programs, OSHA has scheduled a stakeholder meeting on July 17 at the Department of Labor’s Frances Perkins Building.

Washington – The Department of Labor remains committed to enforcing worker safety regulations, Secretary of Labor R. Alexander Acosta insisted during a recent Senate hearing, but critics contend that proposed budget cuts would undermine those efforts.

Washington – OSHA has issued a proposed rule that would roll back certain provisions of its final rule on worker exposure to beryllium in the construction and shipyard industries.

Washington – OSHA is proposing to delay until Dec. 1 the compliance date for employers to electronically submit injury and illness data as part of the agency’s Improve Tracking of Workplace Injuries and Illnesses final rule.

Arlington, VA – A recent rise in fatalities and injuries among less-experienced coal miners has prompted the Mine Safety and Health Administration to launch a training assistance initiative.

Washington – Although most dental professionals use a scavenging system to prevent nitrous oxide gas from escaping during dental procedures, adherence to other recommended practices – such as checking equipment for leaks – is lacking, according to a new study from NIOSH.

Boulder, CO – Researchers are calling on Colorado to require reporting of all fires and explosions in the state’s oil and gas industry, after an analysis showed an incident rate significantly lower than that of neighboring Utah, where reporting is mandatory.

Washington – Any long-awaited update to OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard is not forthcoming, an agency official said June 20.

Washington – In an effort to prevent fatalities stemming from the ignition of vapors by vehicles and motorized equipment in the oil and gas industry, OSHA; NIOSH; and the National Service, Transmission, Exploration & Production Safety Network have partnered on a hazard alert.

Chelmsford, MA – America’s nurses are feeling the effects of fatigue, and 90 percent have considered leaving their current hospital for a position with better work-life balance, according to the results of a recent survey conducted by Kronos Inc., a provider of digital workplace solutions.