Regulations/Legislation

Washington – New legislation that would eliminate the use of food and beverage containers made with bisphenol A (commonly known as BPA) received praise from labor groups, who claim the chemical is hazardous to workers.

Washington – The House has approved an amendment to fund pipeline safety measures as part of the 2015 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Act.

Washington – A bill that includes an amendment to suspend hours-of-service restart provisions for truck drivers has been pulled from the Senate floor.

Washington – A bill introduced June 17 by two members of the Senate Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee would authorize a new safety institute for short-line railroads.

Washington – Prompted by the 2013 fire and explosion that killed 12 firefighters at a Texas fertilizer facility, as well as other recent incidents, OSHA is considering the development of a standard on emergency response and preparedness.

Washington – OSHA and the Environmental Protection Agency should revise ammonium nitrate regulations to provide better oversight of facilities that use the chemical compound, which has been involved in several major incidents over the past century, according to a Government Accountability report released May 19.

Washington – OSHA intends to issue final rules on personal protective equipment; confined spaces; and slips, trips and falls by the end of the year, according to the recently published semiannual regulatory agenda.

Washington – The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration must make improvements to its oversight of state pipeline safety programs, concludes an audit released May 7 by the Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General.

Washington – The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is proposing a rule that would prohibit carriers, shippers, receivers and other entities from forcing truck and bus drivers to violate federal regulations so shipments or passengers can be delivered faster.

Washington – Firefighters who work for federal agencies and contract certain diseases on the job would be ensured federal workers’ compensation coverage under newly introduced bipartisan legislation.