The nation enters August with a resurgent COVID-19 pandemic driven by the Delta variant of the virus. As DG/HSE professionals committed to safe practices, let’s all work together to remain aware of any changed policies in our local jurisdictions—they may differ significantly from place to place—and be ready to help our employers with understanding and any required implementation needs. We can only beat this thing together. The month opens with an increase in regulatory activity; here’s the latest:
OSHA
The agency has issued a three-year requirement for an Information Collection related to its Bloodborne Pathogens Standard. The standard affects nearly all American workplaces with more than one employee. Find more information here about this information request here.
The agency is requesting comment from stakeholders on the development of a modified safety standard for mechanical power presses. The agency intends to revise the standard to reflect changed and modernized systems currently operating in industry. Power presses are a frequent source of injury to manufacturing employees. Find out how to contribute here.
Semi-Annual Regulatory Agendas
Twice a year, federal agencies with rulemaking authority are required to release their upcoming agendas. The agendas, which are of course subject to change, indicate what the agencies intend to work towards in terms of rulemaking and policy activity. A new batch of agendas has been published; here are links to many that may be of interest to the DG/HSE community:
CPSC: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2021-07-30/pdf/2021-14878.pdf
DOE: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2021-07-30/pdf/2021-14869.pdf
EPA: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2021-07-30/pdf/2021-14882.pdf
GSA: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2021-07-30/pdf/2021-14883.pdf
GSA Part II: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2021-07-30/pdf/2021-15101.pdf
DHS: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2021-07-30/pdf/2021-14871.pdf
DOL/OSHA: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2021-07-30/pdf/2021-14873.pdf
NRC: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2021-07-30/pdf/2021-14887.pdf
RISC: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2021-07-30/pdf/2021-15272.pdf
STB: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2021-07-30/pdf/2021-14889.pdf
DOT: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2021-07-30/pdf/2021-14874.pdf
FRA
The agency is revising its Positive Train Control (PTC) requirements in a new rule. The action doubles the data reporting requirement from annual to semi-annual frequency, allows railroads more latitude for minor changes without seeking agency approval, and requires the reporting of data additional to the failure rate data already required. See the rule here.
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