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OSHA has announced that QPS Evaluation Services, Inc. will expand its role as a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL). This expansion includes adding five new test standards to what QPS is authorized to handle. OSHA's decision was based on a thorough review of QPS's application and capabilities, with no public comments opposing the expansion. The expansion is effective as of December 30, 2024, and QPS must follow specific conditions and report any changes in its operations.

OSHA is asking for public comments on their proposal to continue requiring certain paperwork for the Welding, Cutting, and Brazing Standard. This is to make sure that information collection about workplace safety meets certain standards and doesn't become a burden for businesses, especially small ones. They are also planning to increase the estimated paperwork hours due to a rise in workers involved. Comments can be submitted online by May 19, 2025.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), part of the U.S. Department of Labor, has officially expanded the recognition of Applied Research Laboratories of South Florida, LLC (ARL) as a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL). This expansion allows ARL to cover two additional test standards, enabling them to perform independent safety testing and certification for specific products. ARL must comply with OSHA conditions and report any significant changes in operations or personnel. The decision is effective as of January 15, 2021, following a thorough review process and a public comment period that yielded no responses.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has announced that the CSA Group Testing & Certification Inc. has applied to expand its recognition as a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL). The expansion would add one test standard to their scope of recognition. OSHA has made a preliminary finding supporting this application and invites public comments regarding whether CSA meets relevant requirements. Comments are due by January 15, 2025, and the final decision will be published in the Federal Register.

The U.S. Department of Labor has announced an exemption allowing the United Brotherhood of Carpenters Pension Fund to sell a 19.25-acre property in Las Vegas to the United Brotherhood of Carpenters for cash. This decision was based on the finding that the sale to UBC would result in significantly higher net proceeds for the Pension Fund compared to selling the property to a third party. Following public input, the Department removed a proposed revenue-sharing condition but kept a "Clawback Condition" ensuring that if UBC resells the property within ten years for a profit, any excess proceeds must be given to the Pension Fund. The exemption ensures that the sale benefits the Pension Fund and its participants.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is inviting public comments on its proposal to continue the approval of information collection requirements related to commercial diving operations. The aim is to ensure these requirements remain beneficial for both employers and employees by reducing paperwork and improving safety. OSHA is particularly seeking feedback on the necessity and efficiency of these information collections, as well as ways to make them less burdensome for employers. The deadline for submitting comments is March 7, 2025.

The Employment and Training Administration, part of the U.S. Department of Labor, has announced a new schedule for calculating Federal military wages for unemployment claims under the UCX program. This schedule will be used by states to determine military wages for first-time unemployment claims starting January 1, 2025. If there is no Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD214) on file, states will rely on this schedule for processing these claims. The schedule must be used for claims filed on or after the specified date, while previous schedules apply to claims filed before then.

The Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 allows mine operators or miner representatives to propose alternative safety methods if they can ensure equal or better safety compared to current standards. The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) reviews such petitions and provides decisions which can include approval, partial approval, or denial. This notice lists petitions that were approved by MSHA between April 20, 2019, and December 14, 2020. The document includes detailed information on the affected regulations and corresponding mines.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has decided to end its rulemaking process concerning COVID-19 exposure in healthcare settings. Originally, OSHA issued an Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) in 2021 to protect healthcare workers from COVID-19, but with the COVID-19 public health emergency over, OSHA believes a standard focusing on broader infectious diseases is more appropriate for long-term worker protection. Instead of finalizing a separate COVID-19 regulation, OSHA will concentrate resources on creating comprehensive rules addressing various infectious diseases, including COVID-19, to better safeguard healthcare workers.

OSHA has expanded the recognition scope of DEKRA Certification Inc. as a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL), effective January 23, 2025. This expansion includes six additional test standards that DEKRA is now authorized to use for testing and certifying products to meet OSHA safety standards. As part of the recognition, DEKRA must comply with specific conditions, including notifying OSHA of any major changes in its operations. The decision was made after DEKRA's application was thoroughly reviewed, and no public comments were received on the proposal.