Search Results for keywords:"safety standards"

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has decided to withdraw a proposed rule from October 29, 2024, concerning updates to procedures for waivers and safety-related proceedings. These updates aimed to clarify what is meant by "in the public interest" and "consistent with railroad safety" in the waiver standards. The FRA cited resource constraints and existing guidance on the topic as reasons for the withdrawal but emphasized their commitment to engaging with stakeholders on rail safety issues. The FRA may consider similar regulations in the future and appreciates the input received from stakeholders during this process.

The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) has received a petition from Patton Mining LLC requesting a change to a current safety standard for their equipment used at the Deer Run Mine in Illinois. The existing rule requires all wheels of nonpermissible diesel-powered equipment to have working brakes. The company wants permission to operate a grader without front brakes, proposing alternatives to ensure safety, including limiting its speed and adjusting training for operators. MSHA invites public comments on this proposal until March 26, 2021.

The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) has received a petition from Wolf Run Mining, LLC to modify a safety standard for their coal mine, the Leer South Mine. The company wants to use new respirators, the 3M Versaflo TR-800 and CleanSpace EX, which provide better protection from dust but are not currently approved by MSHA. Wolf Run Mining argues that these new respirators are safer and that using the old standard diminishes safety. The petition details how they plan to ensure safety and training for the use of these new devices, even though they are not MSHA-approved. They assure that their plan will offer the same level of protection required by the existing safety standards.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), part of the Department of Transportation, has announced the denial of requests from 37 individuals seeking exemptions from the vision requirements of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations. These individuals wanted to operate commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in interstate commerce, but upon evaluation, the FMCSA determined that granting these exemptions would not ensure a safety level equivalent to the existing standards. The reasons for denial included lack of experience with vision deficiencies, insufficient recent driving experience, or other issues such as unstable vision.

The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) has received a petition from Rockwell Mining, LLC, requesting to modify the safety standard regarding the use of certain unapproved air purifying respirators in their Coal Branch No. 2 Mine. This modification seeks to incorporate alternatives to the currently available NIOSH-approved respirators, specifically the CleanSpace EX and 3M Versaflo TR-800 units, which provide continuous filtered air and suit miners with facial hair who cannot use traditional respirators. The petition argues that this alternative method offers protection equal to the existing standards, and the equipment will be maintained and operated under strict conditions to ensure safety. Public comments on this request are open until January 15, 2025.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued special conditions for the Airbus Model A330-243 airplane, which is being modified by TC Inter-Informatics to include unique oblique side-facing seats with inflatable lapbelts. These conditions address the lack of adequate safety standards in existing regulations for this type of seating. They include criteria for injury protection, body contact, neck and spine protection, and head rotation limits to ensure passenger safety. The FAA invites public comments on these special conditions, which will apply to other models if the same seat configuration is used.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) decided to deny Polytech Plastic Molding, Inc.'s request for an exemption that would allow their vehicles to use a special lighting module. This module, made by Intellistop, Inc., can make brake lights flash to improve visibility. FMCSA denied the request because Polytech didn't prove the modification would be as safe as the current standards, and because of a lack of legal operations data due to an inactive USDOT number. Although some comments supported the potential safety benefits, the agency was concerned about safety risks and proper regulatory compliance.

The Rural Housing Service has issued a final rule to update regulations for the Single Family Housing Direct Loan Program and the SFH Guaranteed Loan Program. This change aims to provide borrowers with more purchase options and enhance the overall experience of these programs. Key updates include allowing the purchase of existing manufactured homes according to safety standards and extending land-lease terms for new energy-efficient homes. The rule also revises definitions and removes some administrative requirements, reflecting public feedback to improve access to affordable housing in rural areas.

The Department of Labor is asking for public comments on an information collection request related to safety standards in shipyard work. This request is being reviewed for approval by the Office of Management and Budget as part of the Paperwork Reduction Act process. They aim to minimize the paperwork burden while ensuring the safety requirements are useful and effective. The deadline for submitting comments is February 21, 2025, and they are encouraging feedback on ways to improve the information collection process.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has received a request from James D. Welch for an exemption from the requirement for Air Reserve Technicians (ARTs) to obtain a commercial driver's license (CDL) when operating commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) for military purposes. While there is already an exception that applies to certain military drivers, it does not currently cover U.S. Reserve technicians like ARTs. Welch argues that obtaining a CDL places a burden on ARTs and the Air Force Reserve Command due to training costs. FMCSA is asking the public to comment on whether this exemption should apply to all U.S. Reserve technicians and to provide feedback by February 12, 2025.