Perhaps signaling that OSHA may be turning more toward cooperative and compliance assistance programs under the Trump administration, as many in industry have hoped, OSHA announced this week that it will hold a public meeting to receive suggestions from stakeholders on how to strengthen its Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP).
OSHA
OSHA Delays Crane Certification Requirements
Posted on
Posted in OSHA
According to a recent Federal Register notice, OSHA is seeking to delay by a year its new certification requirements for construction crane operators, which are currently set to go into effect on November 10, 2017. Before it can officially delay the rules, however, OSHA must consult with the Advisory Committee on Construction Safety and Health (ACCSH). On June 20th, ACCSH will hold a telephone conference, open to the public, to discuss the matter and receive public comments.
President’s 2018 budget impacts some safety agencies more than others
By Avi Meyerstein on
by Kaileigh Fagan
Despite a proposed $2.4 billion (19.8%) cut to the Department of Labor’s annual budget in President Trump’s fiscal year 2018 budget proposal, the lead U.S. workplace safety agencies – the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) – would see only small budgetary changes.
Microsoft AI getting into workplace safety?
By Avi Meyerstein on
At last month’s Microsoft developer conference, the software maker previewed developing software that can track people, tools, and activities in real-time to prevent workplace accidents.
Acosta confirmed as Labor secretary
By Erik Dullea on
Yesterday afternoon, the Senate voted to confirm Alexander Acosta as the 27th U.S. Secretary of Labor by a vote of 60 to 38. Mr. Acosta is the final appointee to complete the confirmation process and is currently the only Latino in President Trump’s cabinet.
Is the Department of Labor reverting to Obama-era media strategies?
By Erik Dullea on
Posted in Enforcement updates, OSHA
by Erik Dullea and Sonia Anderson
Department of Labor press releases issued during April suggest that DOL, including OSHA and MSHA, may have returned to the aggressive public relations strategy of calling out companies by name, which was utilized during the previous administration. Former head of OSHA, Dr. David Michaels, reportedly called this strategy “regulation by shaming.”
OSHA delays silica rule for construction by 90 days
By Avi Meyerstein on
In June of this year, the construction industry was to be the first to meet a compliance deadline under OSHA’s new silica rule. Now, OSHA says, it will delay that deadline by at least 90 days.
The Volks Rule officially comes to an end
By Erik Dullea on
As forecast in our previous discussion, on April 4th President Trump signed House Joint Resolution 83. This was the final action to complete the Congressional Review Act (CRA) process, disposing of the “Volks Rule” and reinstating to the six-month statute of limitations for recordkeeping activities.
In time for Opening Day, Congress swings for the fences with Congressional Review Act
By Erik Dullea on
Posted in OSHA, Rulemaking news
Passed in 1996, the Congressional Review Act (CRA) has been getting a lot of use since President Trump’s inauguration. Just in the last two months, Congress has now used it twice to permanently roll back safety regulations.
Trump administration defending silica rule?
By Avi Meyerstein on
Posted in OSHA, Rulemaking news
Just one day after President Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Labor declined to take a position on OSHA’s silica rule at his confirmation hearing, the agency filed a legal brief in the federal court defending the rule.