Federal Agencies

Washington — OSHA’s potential emergency temporary standard on COVID-19 and a similar ETS issued in November by the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health, also known as Cal/OSHA, were – as expected – the major topics discussed during Doug Parker’s confirmation hearing May 27 before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee.

Washington — The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration once again is extending temporary hours-of-service exemptions and other “regulatory relief” for commercial motor vehicle drivers transporting items intended to assist with COVID-19 pandemic relief efforts.

Washington — OSHA has scheduled a virtual public meeting for June 23 in advance of the 40th session of the United Nations Sub-Committee of Experts on the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals.

Washington — Citing “continued concerns regarding personal protective equipment shortages in the agricultural sector,” the Environmental Protection Agency has extended until Sept. 30 the provision on “annual fit test delay” in temporary guidance intended to help protect workers who handle agricultural pesticides against exposure to COVID-19.

Washington — OSHA is reviewing new COVID-19-related guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for fully vaccinated people and anticipates an update of its own guidance materials in the near future, the agency says on its COVID-19 website.

Geneva — The annual number of heart attack and stroke deaths linked to working long hours rose nearly 30% worldwide between 2000 and 2016, according to estimates from the World Health Organization and International Labor Organization.

Washington — The COVID-19 pandemic understandably occupied much of a May 11 panel discussion that featured three OSHA experts presenting updates of agency activities, as part of the National Safety Council’s Impact Tracks webinar series.

Washington — Prompted by an “increased domestic supply” of NIOSH-approved respirators, the Food and Drug Administration is recommending health care facilities transition away from strategies intended to conserve supplies of disposable respirators amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Washington — OSHA, NIOSH and a number of safety organizations – including the National Safety Council – are encouraging managers to commit to a safety pledge as part of the Safe + Sound campaign, a national initiative intended to promote awareness and understanding of workplace safety and health programs.

Washington — Prompted by a reported cyberattack that has resulted in a disruption of service along a major petroleum pipeline, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration on May 9 issued a temporary hours-of-service exemption to commercial motor vehicle operators transporting gasoline, diesel, jet fuel and other refined petroleum products to 17 states and the District of Columbia, as part of emergency relief efforts.