Federal Agencies

Washington — The National Council for Occupational Safety and Health is calling on OSHA to enact an emergency temporary standard related to COVID-19 – an action the advocacy group says won’t require OSHA officials to reinvent the wheel.

Washington — The Federal Railroad Administration is seeking comment on a proposed rule that would require certain railroads to develop and implement a fatigue risk management program as a component of their larger safety risk reduction programs.

Washington — OSHA has issued a long-awaited proposed rule that would update its regulations on hazard communication to align with the seventh version of the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals, the agency announced Feb. 5.

Itasca, IL — Amy Harper, senior director of workplace training and consulting services at the National Safety Council, has been reappointed to serve on OSHA’s National Advisory Committee on Occupational Safety and Health.

Washington — Marty Walsh – President Joe Biden’s nominee for labor secretary – highlighted his past efforts supporting employers and workers, along with his cooperation with Republicans and Democrats, during his Feb. 4 confirmation hearing before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee.

Washington — Pete Buttigieg is the new secretary of transportation after the Senate confirmed his nomination Feb. 2.

Washington — The chemical substance n-methylpyrrolidone, also known as NMP, presents an unreasonable risk to workers under certain conditions, according to a final risk evaluation recently released by the Environmental Protection Agency, which is now compelled to propose within one year regulatory action to mitigate the chemical’s hazards.

Washington — Bipartisan legislation recently reintroduced in the House and Senate would require the Mine Safety and Health Administration to issue an emergency temporary standard aimed at protecting mine workers from exposure to COVID-19.

Washington — Filtering facepiece respirators with an exhalation valve can be modified to reduce respiratory particle emissions – improving their effectiveness as a source control, according to a technical report recently published by the NIOSH National Personal Protective Laboratory.

Washington — President Joe Biden on Jan. 22 signed an Executive Order withdrawing a controversial U.S. Department of Agriculture proposed rule that would have permitted line speeds at certain poultry-processing plants to increase to 175 birds a minute from the current 140.