With the departure of Alexander Acosta as Secretary of Labor, the Department immediately got an acting chief who is expected to more closely align with the White House. Meanwhile, the nominee to replace him, Eugene Scalia, is well known for his DOL and workplace safety-related law practice. What do these new leaders mean for OSHA and MSHA?
Nevada operator and employer alert: New marijuana bill becomes law
By Donna Pryor on
A new Nevada law will soon prohibit employers from denying employment to job applicants who test positive for marijuana use in pre-employment drug testing. What does this mean for your company and its safety sensitive positions?
Chemical accident rules? EPA’s accidental release prevention requirements remain uncertain…
The most recent Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) Regulatory Agenda shows a further delay for the agency to finally promulgate long-awaited changes to its Chemical Accident Prevention Program, also known as the Risk Management Program (“RMP”). After Obama made major changes, the Trump EPA delayed them and now seeks to reverse them. Want to understand this complicated saga and learn what to expect? Read on.
Dazed by the complexity of state and federal marijuana laws? How to maintain safety without tripping over legal obstacles.
By Donna Pryor on
The nation’s largest drug testing laboratory, Quest Diagnostics, recently released its latest data on the the number of workers and job applicants who tested positive for drugs in the U.S. workforce. According to the data, marijuana use in the workforce climbed 10% last year to 2.3% according to an analysis of 10 million urine, saliva…
Look! Up in the sky … it’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s OSHA?
By Erik Dullea on
Posted in Enforcement updates, OSHA
An internal DOL memorandum last year to OSHA regional administrators confirms that OSHA can deploy Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) otherwise referred to as “drones” equipped with cameras to assist with its enforcement and regulatory functions. What do employers need to know? How should you respond to a drone inspection?
Environmental cross-post: CERCLA Update
By Avi Meyerstein on
Posted in MSHA
Though we usually stick to safety and health, our colleague’s recent environmental column caught our eyes for our mining industry readers. As Megan Caldwell wrote in a recent issue of Rock Products, the hardrock mining financial assurance saga is far from over.
Prepare for additional dust scrutiny
By Erik Dullea on
Posted in MSHA, Rulemaking news
MSHA may have its eyes on respirable dust. A focus on coal dust in recent years may be shifting to include silica. What started as a concern primarily in coal mines may soon lead to stricter rules and enforcement that affect both coal and metal/non-metal operators.
As we mark National Heat Awareness Day, is a heat stress standard on the horizon?
By Donna Pryor on
Posted in OSHA
May 31 is National Heat Awareness Day, according to OSHA and the National Weather Service. This year, the day falls at a time when the rules about preventing heat illness may be in flux. In fact, after OSHA lost a recent case to use its general duty clause to make heat exposure enforceable, state and federal authorities are talking about creating a heat stress regulation.
Will Google Glass and other virtual reality wearables play a new role in workplace safety?
By Avi Meyerstein on
An article last week by Thomas Black at Bloomberg News reveals that Google Glass – and other virtual reality “wearables” are finding their place at work even if they didn’t initially succeed with consumers. The implications for safety could be significant.
Would you like electronic lockout/tagout? Do you use robots? OSHA needs to hear from you!
By Avi Meyerstein on
Posted in OSHA, Rulemaking news
As manufacturing technology has evolved, the industry has long waited for OSHA regulations to catch up. In particular, lockout/tagout requirements (LOTO) have never allowed the latest control circuit technologies to protect workers. In addition, until now, OSHA has not addressed safety issues involving the latest wave of robotics in the workplace. That change now appears to be underway.