Federal Agencies

Washington — NIOSH has scheduled a series of free, confidential health screenings as it aims to identify cases of black lung disease in current and former miners.

Washington — The House Appropriations Committee has approved the Interior, Environment and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, which includes more than $8 million in funding for the Chemical Safety Board.

Washington — Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy recently addressed some lawmakers’ concerns about the Association of American Railroads seeking “relief from certain regulations concerning track inspections.”

Washington — Chemical facilities should establish safety management systems “even in the absence of regulatory requirements” and communicate lessons from past incidents to help keep workers safe, the Chemical Safety Board says.

Washington — A bill recently introduced in the House would allow the use of hair samples as an alternative drug-testing method for commercial truck drivers.

Washington — Derek Barrs says he’ll make roadway safety his “highest priority” if confirmed as the leader of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

Washington — Inspections of various offshore facilities recently conducted by the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement identified a lack of proper documentation and tagging of temporarily out-of-service safety devices.

Washington — Bipartisan legislation recently reintroduced in both the House and Senate would require OSHA to develop a standard to protect workers from heat-related injuries and illnesses in indoor and outdoor settings.

Washington — Efforts to expand OSHA’s compliance assistance programs clashed with the Trump administration’s push to cut federal safety agency staffing, budgets and regulations during a July 16 House Workforce Protections Subcommittee hearing.

Washington — Transportation officials must “keep all the streams going at the same time” to safely implement a proposed overhaul of the Federal Aviation Administration air traffic control system.