Search Results for keywords:"occupational safety"

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is proposing changes to the Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) to better align it with international guidelines, specifically the United Nations' Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS), Revision 7. This proposed rule aims to improve how chemical hazards are communicated to employers and employees, ensuring greater consistency and effectiveness. The updates included in the rule cover how hazards are classified, how labels are created, and technical updates to safety data sheets, among others. The public is invited to submit comments on these proposed changes by April 19, 2021.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), part of the Department of Health and Human Services, is looking for nominations for the Safety and Occupational Health Study Section (SOHSS). This group is made up of 20 experts in areas like occupational safety, nursing, and psychology. People interested in joining must send their nominations—either by mail or email—by January 31, 2025. Nominees must be U.S. citizens, not full-time government employees, and submit a resume and recommendation letter from someone outside HHS. Selected members will serve terms of up to four years.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is seeking public comments on a draft risk evaluation for Dicyclohexyl phthalate (DCHP) under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). This evaluation aims to determine if DCHP poses an unreasonable risk to human health or the environment, focusing only on risk factors and not on costs. The draft suggests that DCHP presents a risk, particularly in occupational settings, while consumer and general population risks are not significantly concerning. Public comments are invited until March 10, 2025, and feedback will be considered before finalizing the evaluation.

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has published the 2024 list of hazardous drugs used in healthcare settings, which identifies medications that could be dangerous for healthcare workers handling them. This list update removes two drugs, liraglutide and pertuzumab, based on reconsideration of the risks they pose in workplace settings. Public commentary and input from experts helped inform changes to the list. The update aims to guide healthcare employers in maintaining safe workplaces by providing information on the potential hazards of specific drugs.

The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) received a request for a change in safety rules from the 3M Company. They want to alter the current regulation that affects the use of compressed air for cleaning dust off miners' clothing at their Corona Plant in California. The proposed method involves using a special booth and equipment that the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has tested and approved as safe. The complete details of the proposal, including safety measures and training plans, are open for public comment until May 19, 2025.

On December 17, 2024, the Acting Secretary of Labor appointed four new members to the National Advisory Committee on Occupational Safety and Health (NACOSH). These members include John Stephen Frost as a public representative, Kirk Sander as a management representative, Rebecca Reindel as a labor representative, and Sarah Williams Ischer as an occupational safety professional representative. NACOSH advises on matters related to workplace safety and health, with members serving staggered two-year terms. The appointments are effective starting January 16, 2025, and will last until January 16, 2027.

OSHA has announced the expansion of recognition for TUV Rheinland of North America, Inc. (TUVRNA), allowing them to add a new testing site in Taiwan as part of their Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL) scope. This expansion, which takes effect on January 23, 2025, enables TUVRNA to conduct product testing and certification at the new location, provided they comply with specific standards and conditions set by OSHA. TUVRNA must notify OSHA of any significant changes in its operations or ownership and continue to adhere to all regulatory requirements.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is asking for public feedback on its proposal to extend the approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regarding information collection requirements under the 1,2-Dibromo-3-Chloropane (DBCP) Standard. This extension aims to protect workers from harmful health effects caused by DBCP exposure by requiring employers to monitor and report exposure levels. OSHA is particularly interested in comments about the necessity of the information collection, the accuracy of burden estimates, and ways to reduce the burden on employers. Comments must be submitted by May 9, 2025, either electronically or by fax, ensuring to include the relevant OSHA docket number.