Federal Agencies

Washington – The House Republican Steering Committee on Nov. 18 recommended that Rep. John Kline (R-MN) continue in his post as chair of the Education and the Workforce Committee during the next congressional term.

Washington – Two new fact sheets from OSHA aim to protect workers who design and erect tube and coupler scaffolds.

Washington – Do truck drivers who use electronic logging devices to record their hours of service experience increased pressure from management to drive while fatigued?

Omaha, NE – OSHA has re-launched a Local Emphasis Program to target Nebraska employers that use various hazardous chemicals.

Washington – A Nov. 14 video from OSHA details upcoming changes to employers’ incident reporting requirements.

Washington – The Department of Transportation has highlighted its contributions to safety in response to an annual report from the Office of Inspector General that outlined key DOT management challenges for fiscal year 2015.

Washington – The Chemical Safety Board has launched an investigation after four workers were killed by a chemical leak Nov. 15 at a DuPont plant in Texas.

Washington – OSHA’s final rule on confined spaces in construction is being reviewed by the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs. The review is one of the final steps required before OSHA can formally publish the rule.

Charleston, WV – Former Massey Energy Co. CEO Donald Blankenship conspired against and lied to federal officials about safety at the Upper Big Branch mine – site of an April 2010 methane explosion that killed 29 workers – to make more money, according to a federal indictment announced Nov. 15.

Washington – The Federal Railroad Administration has issued a final rule aimed at strengthening minimum training standards for all safety-related railroad workers.