Here we are rolling into August already! With this being an election year the various political campaigns are in full swing, but much of “official” Washington spends most of the coming month in recess. Will that reflect in a lightened regulatory schedule? We’ll all find out together. Meanwhile, stay cool if you can! Here is…
DG Digest: FRA Ups Railroad Safety with Dispatcher & Signal Maintainer Certifications; OSHA Updates Vinyl Chloride Standard
The Memorial Day weekend just concluded is the unofficial kick-off to the nation’s summer season. As such, it’s now a great time to review your home and workplace heat safety plans. Employees that work out of doors or in non-climate-controlled buildings can face real risks during hot weather. Be sure that you review your site…
DG Digest: New PHMSA Rule Makes Multi-Modal Hazmat Shipping Easier, Aligns with International Standards
As we publish, it’s Tax Day! Are you ready? Hopefully everyone has things under control for the year. It’s always an adventure. Meanwhile, it was an eventful regulatory week as PHMSA published its long awaited HM-215Q harmonization rule. Let’s dive right in: PHMSA As just noted, the final rule updating international harmonization was published. The…
DG Digest: Shipping Accident in Baltimore: A Reminder of Safe Cargo Practices
Shipping accident in Baltimore As most people already know, last week the Singapore flagged container ship MS Dali collided with the Francis Scott Key road bridge at the mouth of the harbor in Baltimore, Maryland. The bridge subsequently collapsed, tragically killing six maintenance workers on the span. Casualties may have been far greater but for…
DG Digest: Federal civil penalty fees adjusted for inflation last week
Happy New Year, everyone! I’m sure that I speak for the entire Labelmaster family when I say that we hope you had a great holiday season and that you will have a safe, prosperous, and productive 2024! As is often the case during the end-of-year holiday period, the regulatory world also slowed down a little.…
DG Digest: FRA publishes new safety advisory to help protect workers
Uh-oh. It’s October already! How did that happen? Now’s the time to start making sure that your winter safety plans are ready to go and that your contracts with snow removal vendors are finalized. You don’t want your workplace to be the last in line for this vital service. Employee slips and falls rise dramatically…
DG Digest: STB’s Rail Energy Transportation Advisory Committee to meet October 18th
Amazingly enough, it’s already mid-September. Hopefully everyone is getting back into the groove of having the kids back in school and having most employees back from summer vacations. This coming week is the last of the calendrical summer, and before too long the fall will be here. If your workplace is in a location that…
DG Digest: PHMSA and FRA reverse 2020 rule, suspend authorization of liquefied natural gas (LNG) transport in rail tank cars.
Labor Day has come and gone. Hopefully, you had a great summer, topped out by a relaxing long holiday! Today (if you’re reading this on Tuesday) is the traditional day when most schoolchildren return to classes. That means busier roads, crosswalks, and lots of excited little ones out much earlier than has been the case…
DG Digest: The FRA Extends Comment Period That Would Impose New Certification Requirements.
We head into the final week of August with high heat persisting in many areas of the country. Although the autumn might be just around the corner, now’s no time to let up on our precautions against heat related illness and injury. Let’s remain vigilant and help protect our co-workers until things start to cool…
Transport Canada publishes a large miscellaneous update to its TDG regulations
Here we are sweltering in late July! Much of the nation is in the grip of record-breaking heat, so all of us need to be sure to pay extra attention to heat safety—let’s keep our fellow employees protected from heat exhaustion and heat stroke, both potentially dangerous conditions that can severely injure or even be…