The last full week of August is over! Wow. Here comes the new school year—most schools will be back in session in the next week or two. Watch out for those school buses that will soon be on the move in the morning and late afternoon, and the many places where increased foot and car traffic…
DG Digest: PHMSA publishes 49 CFR correction, FMCSA releases draft Medical Examiner’s Handbook, and OSHA extends comment period on lead exposures
Summer continues its ebb as we enter the last full week of August. Many colleges and universities are going back into session or have students reporting back this week, so if you live in a “college town,” be sure you keep an eye open for the increased activity and traffic that comes with it. Here’s…
DG Digest: As the EPA charts its progress towards ‘100% electronic manifests,’ the advisory board will meet virtually this fall
Mid-August already—where does summer go? Nevertheless, we still have several weeks of hot weather and staffing absences to deal with as vacations continue and some of summer’s hottest weather still is on the calendar. Let’s keep those safety plans rolling and make sure our employees finish the summer in proper form. It wasn’t a super busy…
DG Digest: Federal Agencies publish semi-annual regulatory agendas
The end of the first week of August is here, and in some parts of the country, summer heat is at its maximum. It’s also the heart of hurricane season in the Southeast and Gulf states. Be sure that your severe weather plans account for the safety issues that your site requires. Meanwhile, here’s the…
DG Digest: PHMSA releases HM-215P final rule, with changes to lithium battery exceptions — and much more.
Welcome to August! Summer continues to roll on by. Every year, it seems to go a bit faster, too! August is often the month that sees businesses have the largest number of employees off on vacation. Because of this, short staffing can sometimes be an issue and the employees that are still busy working can…
DG Digest: PHMSA published ICR for the transport of radioactive materials in commerce
Here we are at mid-July already! Where does the summer go? Hopefully, your workplace is operating its warm weather safety plan effectively. Remember that heat stress and heat stroke can represent serious safety concerns at this time of year, especially for workers outdoors or in spaces that lack air conditioning. Make sure your workplace addresses…
DG Digest: PHMSA requests comments on potential move to electronic shipping papers
Welcome back to the DG Digest after a brief summer hiatus! The last few weeks have been eventful, with perhaps the biggest news item being one of general interest: the Supreme Court decision in the matter of “West Virginia vs. USEPA.” This ruling, the subject of which was a Clean Air Act regulation not specifically…
DG Digest: OSHA published ICR on hygiene plans for laboratories
Today’s federal holiday is the commemoration of Juneteenth: the recognition of June 19th, 1865, when emancipation of the enslaved African American people of Texas was announced by the Union Army, finally formally ending the institution of chattel slavery in the rejoined United States following the end of the Civil War. The Labelmaster family joins with…
DG Digest: PHMSA extends comment period on converting historic letters of interpretation into FAQs on its website
Mid-June rolls in with Hurricane season beginning to ramp up. This can produce severe storms in affected regions, and flooding rains even in areas far from the storm zone itself. Be sure your business has severe weather plans to prepare the response needed! Meanwhile, it was a usual week in the regulatory world, with several…
DG Digest: USPS final rule revises ‘Pub 52,’ requiring mailers separate ‘hazmat’ into identifiable containers
June kicks off the summer vacation season for many people. As HSE professionals it’s important for us to help our fellow employees deal with the “short staffing” that sometimes occurs as vacation times impact workplace operations. Let’s make sure that we remind our colleagues not to cut corners on safety and normal precautions to keep…