Federal Agencies

Washington – OSHA and NIOSH have published recommended practices to help tobacco workers and employers avoid a potentially deadly combination of illnesses.

Just as safety pros need to be prepared to identify and abate even the rarest of safety hazards, employers always should be ready for the possibility of a surprise visit from OSHA. Do you know what to do?

Federal official tells Senate subcommittee that electronic logging devices in commercial trucks will improve safety. Also: updates on driver hours of service and the Compliance, Safety, Accountability program

Washington – Chemical Safety Board Chairman Rafael Moure-Eraso has resigned under pressure from President Barack Obama and a group of bipartisan lawmakers.

Washington – OSHA has extended to Oct. 9 the comment period on its request for effective and efficient approaches to address hazardous chemical exposures in the workplace.

Washington – On March 23, the 10th anniversary of a deadly BP refinery explosion in Texas City, TX, OSHA and the Chemical Safety Board separately reflected on what must be done to better prevent similar tragedies.

Washington – The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has published details about an upcoming study into whether a 34-hour restart rule for commercial motor vehicle drivers improves safety for truckers and commuters.

Washington – Stringent regulations from agencies such as OSHA could increase employer costs without improving safety, employers testified March 18 during a hearing before the House Small Business Committee.

Montgomery, AL – A group of 15 organizations says it will not stop fighting for worker protections in the poultry and meatpacking industries despite a recent setback.

Washington – Secretary of Labor Thomas Perez voiced his support for OSHA cooperative programs, as well as the need to increase the agency’s penalty limits, during a March 18 House hearing on the Department of Labor’s budget request for fiscal year 2016.