Federal Agencies

Boston – Elected heads of government may face an increased risk of early death compared with runner-up candidates who did not go on to serve in government, according to a study from Harvard Medical School.

Washington – OSHA has withdrawn from review its final rule addressing slip, trip and fall hazards – potentially creating further delay in the rule’s promulgation after more than two decades in development.

Washington – A new omnibus appropriations bill clears the way for OSHA to promulgate a new standard on silica, but restricts the agency’s use of non-regulatory actions such as guidance documents or letters of interpretation.

Washington – Commercial motor vehicle drivers soon will be required to use electronic logging devices instead of paper logs to document hours-of-service records, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration announced Dec. 10.

Washington – Lawmakers once again are debating whether new safety regulations might be too burdensome for employers.

Washington – NIOSH has opened its Center for Maritime Safety and Health Studies, intended to advance the safety of seafaring workers.

Charleston, WV – A federal jury convicted former Massey Energy Co. CEO Don Blankenship on a misdemeanor charge of conspiring to violate mine safety regulations at the Upper Big Branch mine, where 29 workers died in West Virginia after a methane explosion in April 2010.

Washington – OSHA administrator David Michaels is scheduled to lead a Dec. 9 public meeting to discuss updates to the agency’s draft Safety and Health Program Management Guidelines.

Washington – The Chemical Safety Board is including Spanish language translations of some of its safety materials, the independent agency announced Nov. 20.

Arlington, VA – The Mine Safety and Health Administration is looking for feedback on its new website.