Federal Agencies

Washington – Two new members joined OSHA’s Whistleblower Protection Advisory Committee, and 13 current members have been reappointed, Secretary of Labor Thomas Perez announced Oct. 20.

Washington – Drowsy driving poses significant threats to worker safety and health and must be combated, a panel of experts told the National Transportation Safety Board on Oct. 21.

Atlanta – Following two cases in which U.S. nurses were infected with Ebola, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has tightened its infection-control guidelines for health care workers.

Washington – Four stakeholders recently debated the merits of an OSHA injury and illness prevention program standard.

Washington – OSHA’s latest initiative on chemical hazards will involve more than updating outdated permissible exposure limits and could include control banding or task-based approaches, an agency official said Oct. 21.

Washington – The Department of Transportation should clarify its Emergency Response Guidebook so firefighters, medical technicians and police offers know it does not pertain to chemical incidents at fixed facilities, according to the Chemical Safety Board.

Amsterdam – A wide-ranging effort to improve fire and building safety in response to a deadly Bangladesh building collapse in 2013 has resulted in more than 1,100 factory inspections in the country and more than 400 corrective action plans, officials said Oct. 14.

Washington – A new document aims to help emergency responders safely respond to crude oil rail transportation incidents.

Washington – Business leaders and government agencies are scheduled to host a workshop on Oct. 14 to discuss how to prevent deaths and injuries in the telecommunications industry.