If you’re like many readers of this blog, you’re seeing this on Tuesday morning, after it appeared in your email overnight. If that’s you—Happy Halloween! Let’s all remember that the kids are going to be out in force for their treats in the evening, and they may not pay as much attention as they should to traffic. Let’s be extra careful to help make sure that everyone has a safe and enjoyable holiday. And don’t forget to maybe enjoy a little treat yourself—you’ve likely earned it! Here’s the week’s regulatory news:
EPA
The agency is proposing to amend the procedural framework rule for conducting risk evaluations under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). The purpose of risk evaluations under TSCA is to determine whether a chemical substance presents an unreasonable risk of injury to health or the environment, without consideration of costs or non-risk factors. EPA has reconsidered the procedural framework rule for conducting such risk evaluations and determined that certain aspects of that framework should be revised to better align with applicable court decisions and the statutory text, to reflect the Agency’s experience implementing the risk evaluation program following enactment of the 2016 TSCA amendments, and to allow for consideration of future scientific advances in the risk evaluation process without need to further amend the Agency’s procedural rule. Comments must be received on or before December 14, 2023. See the proposed changes HERE.
The agency is initiating a new rulemaking effort to improve the recycling and management of end-of-life hazardous waste solar panels and lithium batteries. EPA is working on this rulemaking in part in response to a petition submitted by a broad coalition of industry associations to regulate solar panels as universal waste. EPA is also working on adjustments within the universal waste regulations to improve safety standards and reduce fires from mismanaged end-of-life lithium batteries. Find out more about this effort here:
OSHA
The agency is issuing an ICR dealing with anhydrous ammonia storage and handling. Anhydrous Ammonia is a toxic gas that is often used in various industrial and agricultural applications. See the ICR HERE.
The agency is issuing another ICR that addresses manlift safety in the workplace. These common devices, often known as scissor lifts and or crew buckets, are the source of many injuries due to misuse. OSHA continues efforts to improve safety surrounding these devices. See the ICR HERE.
TSA
The agency released an updated set of guidance instructions to bring further clarity to its list of prohibited items allowed for carriage or checking by passengers aboard common carrier airlines. The guidance addresses items in a number of areas, including sharps, blunt objects (clubs), and some small gas cylinders. See the update HERE.
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