Federal Agencies

Arlington, VA — The Mine Safety and Health Administration did not identify any Pattern of Violations offenders among the nation’s 13,000-plus mines for the fifth successive year, the agency announced Nov. 7.

Arlington, VA — Prompted by reports of three recent fatalities involving electricity, the Mine Safety and Health Administration has issued a safety alert.

Washington — The Environmental Protection Agency is seeking public comment on a draft risk evaluation that states the chemical substance N-methylpyrrolidone, also known as NMP, presents an unreasonable risk to workers under certain conditions, according to a notice published in the Nov. 7 Federal Register.

Washington — The Environmental Protection Agency has unveiled a proposed rule intended to revise the pesticide application exclusion zone requirement in the Agricultural Worker Protection Standard.

Washington — The nonfatal injury and illness rate for private-sector U.S. employees remained steady in 2018, halting a trend of consistent decline, while the rate of nonfatal injuries and illnesses requiring days away from work climbed slightly, according to annual data released Nov. 7 by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Washington — OSHA’s complaint inspections, Severe Violator Enforcement Program activities, Whistleblower Protection Programs and administration of rules are all intended to undergo evaluation this year by the Department of Labor Office of Inspector General.

Washington — An update on the implementation of Positive Train Control – emergency slowing and stopping systems designed to help prevent train crashes and derailments caused by human error – is on the preliminary agenda for the Railroad Safety Advisory Committee’s next meeting, set for Nov. 26.

Washington — OSHA’s Maritime Advisory Committee for Occupational Safety and Health is scheduled to meet Nov. 19-20 in Washington.

Washington — The Environmental Protection Agency is seeking comment on a draft risk evaluation that states the chemical substance methylene chloride poses “unreasonable risk” to workers under certain conditions, according to a notice published in the Oct. 29 Federal Register.

Washington — NIOSH has launched an open competition for artificial intelligence programmers as part of a search for ways to automate data processing in occupational safety and health surveillance systems.