Inspections

Washington – A new NIOSH publication describes how the agency’s Health Hazard Evaluation Program works with employers to investigate possible dangers in the workplace.

Washington – Interstate truck and bus drivers must continue to keep a paper copy of their medical examiner’s certificate with them while driving, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration announced Jan. 10.

Washington – A new appropriations bill could increase funding for the Federal Railroad Administration, allowing the agency to hire 45 new rail safety inspectors and increase the amount of rail it inspects nationwide.

Arlington, VA – The Mine Safety and Health Administration has addressed all of the 100 corrective actions recommended in its 2012 internal review following the Upper Big Branch mine explosion in April 2010, the agency announced Jan. 13.

Washington – OSHA lacks sufficient controls to ensure worksites in the Voluntary Protection Programs maintain “exemplary occupational safety and health systems,” according to a Dec. 16 report from the Department of Labor Office of Inspector General.

Washington – Nearly 30 percent of employers that rank among the top violators of federal wage and safety laws receive federal contracts, according to a report issued Dec. 11 by the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee after a yearlong investigation.

This year’s presentation of the top 10 most frequently cited OSHA violations includes some comparisons with data from previous years.

Washington – OSHA has issued a direct final rule to align aspects of the agency’s Mechanical Power Presses Standard with a voluntary consensus standard.

Washington – About 1,400 OSHA inspections were not conducted during the 16-day federal government shutdown, and will not be fully made up, according to a new report from the Office of Management and Budget.

Washington – The Chemical Safety Board’s investigation of the April explosion at a fertilizer facility in West, TX, is on hold because of the government shutdown.