Federal Agencies

Silver Spring, MD — Claiming the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is “once again responding to political pressures from those desperate to remove any safety protocols during this deadly pandemic that is still causing unacceptable numbers of infections, hospitalizations and deaths every day,” the nation’s largest union and professional association of registered nurses is calling on the agency to reverse its most recent COVID-19 guidance.

Washington — In response to an “increase in incidents involving grating” on offshore energy platforms, the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement has issued a safety alert.

Geneva — As telework grows more common, the World Health Organization and the International Labor Organization are encouraging employers to develop programs to help make the practice “healthy and safe.”

Arlington, VA — The Mine Safety and Health Administration is reminding miners working near oil and gas wells to remain aware that “an inadvertent intersection with one of these wells” could be hazardous.

Washington — The Northrop Grumman St. Augustine (FL) Aircraft Integration Center of Excellence and Rational Acoustics LLC are the respective recipients of the 2022 NIOSH Safe-in-Sound Excellence and Innovation in Hearing Loss Prevention Awards.

Washington — Citing the increased circulation of airborne viruses when temperatures drop, “indoor air quality in the workplace during cold weather is especially critical,” OSHA says in a new alert.

Washington — Steven Cliff moved a step closer to becoming administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration after the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee advanced his nomination by voice vote Feb. 2.

The U.S. Supreme Court issued a stay of OSHA's emergency temporary standard on COVID-19 vaccination, testing and masking, with a 6-3 decision Jan. 13. In response, the agency withdrew its ETS on Jan. 26.

Washington — On the eve of National Caregivers Day, OSHA issued a press release urging health care employers to take immediate actions to help safeguard their workers after the industry experienced sharp increases in injuries and illness in 2020.

Washington — The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration launched its online Training Provider Registry on Feb. 7 – the “final step” of a 2016 rule on minimum training requirements for entry-level commercial motor vehicle drivers.