Regulations/Legislation

Falls Church, VA – Virginia will become the first state in the nation to codify the Voluntary Protection Programs so that it becomes a permanent fixture of the state's workplace safety program, once recently approved legislation is enacted July 1.

Washington – A group of lawmakers is trying again to secure protections for pregnant workers.

Washington – A resolution proposed by freshman lawmaker Sen. Mike Rounds (R-SD) would create a joint committee to review and oversee federal agency rulemaking.

Columbia, SC – Proposed legislation in South Carolina would allow employers to opt out of traditional workers’ compensation in exchange for alternative insurance coverage.

Washington – The Department of Transportation’s final rule on the safe transport of crude oil by rail needs stronger language and tighter deadlines, according to several senators whose states experience heavy rail traffic.

Washington – Safe patient-handling interventions are needed in health care facilities to help protect workers from career-ending injuries, the American Nurses Association and Rep. John Conyers (D-MI) stated during a May 12 briefing on Capitol Hill.

Washington – A new proposed rule aims to reduce some of the red tape for commercial motor vehicle drivers who have controlled diabetes.

Washington – Sen. Al Franken (D-MN) on Workers Memorial Day (April 28) reintroduced legislation that would update the Occupational Safety and Health Act.

Washington – Five years after the tragedy at Upper Big Branch mine in West Virginia killed 29 workers, the Mine Safety and Health Administration has made strides to prevent similar incidents but still needs more tools, MSHA chief Joseph A. Main said during an April 23 hearing.

Cleveland – At least two crew members would be required on every freight train, under recently proposed legislation from Rep. Don Young (R-AK).