Federal Agencies

Washington – Is OSHA overstepping its authority and ignoring congressional mandates? This question was debated at a Feb. 4 House Workforce Protections Subcommittee hearing, during which subcommittee chair Rep. Tim Walberg (R-MI) suggested the agency has circumvented the public rulemaking process through several actions that “dramatically” changed existing policies.

Arlington, VA – Mine safety has been on an upward trend since 2010 thanks to a number of initiatives from the Mine Safety and Health Administration, agency head Joseph A. Main said Jan. 30.

Washington – Dorothy Dougherty has been appointed as OSHA’s new assistant administrator, the agency announced Jan. 30.

Washington – The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s Motor Carrier Safety Advisory Committee is scheduled to meet Feb.10-11 in Alexandria, VA.

Washington – The National Transportation Safety Board on Jan. 23 issued recommendations to the Federal Railroad Administration and Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration in an effort to improve the safety of shipping crude oil and other flammable hazardous materials by rail.

Washington – A new appropriations bill signed into law Jan. 17 includes funding for transportation safety programs and agencies for the rest of the current fiscal year (which ends Sept. 30).

Washington – Some of the top-selling federal government publications of 2013 were occupational safety-related, according to a Government Printing Office list released Jan. 22.

Washington – Four areas of concern have made their first appearance on the National Transportation Safety Board’s 2014 “Most Wanted” list of transportation safety priorities, announced Jan. 16.

Washington – A $1 trillion appropriations bill, signed by President Barack Obama on Jan. 17, funds the federal government – including safety agencies – for the remainder of the current fiscal year (which ends Sept. 30).

Washington – OSHA’s budget for the current fiscal year could be $552.3 million, according to an appropriations agreement between the Republican-controlled House and Democrat-controlled Senate.