Federal Agencies

Washington — Federal regulation of small distribution systems for propane and other liquefied petroleum gas should be revised for clarity, efficiency, enforceability and applicability to risk, a new report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine concludes.

Oakland, CA — Certain employers in California must comply with OSHA’s electronic recordkeeping rule and submit their Form 300A data online to the federal agency.

Washington — The Chemical Safety Board is seeking to better understand why efforts to manage and control combustible dust hazards “have often failed” to prevent explosions.

Seattle — OSHA has launched a Regional Emphasis Program to address fall hazards in the Pacific Northwest construction industry.

Washington — OSHA is scheduled to lead a public meeting on Nov. 13 in advance of the 36th session of the United Nations Sub-Committee of Experts on the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals.

Arlington, VA — Top-ranking Democrats in the House Education and the Workforce Committee and the Workforce Protections Subcommittee are questioning the legality of a Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission decision to remove a Sophia, WV, mine from Mine Safety and Health Administration Pattern of Violations status.

Washington — OSHA is accepting nominations for its Maritime Advisory Committee on Occupational Safety and Health, moving one step closer to reviving all of its advisory committees, the agency announced in a notice published in the Oct. 26 Federal Register.

Washington — The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement has found “noticeable gaps” in safety regarding fired vessels on a few offshore oil and gas platforms in the Gulf of Mexico that “warrant attention to prevent or mitigate uncontrolled releases of hydrocarbons, toxic substances or other materials,” according to an agency safety alert issued Oct. 2.

Washington — OSHA has redesigned its State Plans webpage to help simplify access to contact and jurisdictional information for each state, the agency announced Oct. 16 in its “Quick Takes” newsletter.

Washington — OSHA’s $5 million budget increase became official Sept. 28 after President Donald Trump signed a “minibus” appropriations bill that includes funding for the Department of Defense and a continuing resolution to keep the government open until Dec. 7.