Search Results for keywords:"Occupational Safety

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) is issuing an advisory bulletin to encourage pipeline owners and operators to use a Pipeline Safety Management System (PSMS) based on the American Petroleum Institute's guidelines. This approach aims to enhance safety by identifying and reducing risks throughout the pipeline's life. It follows the recommendation from the National Transportation Safety Board after several pipeline incidents suggested that implementing such a system could prevent future accidents. The bulletin promotes voluntary adoption and emphasizes building a strong safety culture to prevent harm to people and the environment.

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has announced that it will not enforce the regulations of the State Safety Oversight final rule, which was published on October 18, 2024, until March 20, 2025. This decision aligns with the President's memorandum titled “Regulatory Freeze Pending Review,” which suggests delaying rules to ensure they align with current laws and policies. The rule aims to implement new safety requirements from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and streamline notification processes. This pause allows time for a thorough review to confirm their compliance with legal and administrative principles.

The Coast Guard will enforce a safety zone in the Suisun Bay near Concord, California, from December 12 to December 19, 2024, to support explosive handling operations at the Military Ocean Terminal Concord (MOTCO). This safety measure is important to protect people, ships, and the marine environment from potential explosions. The safety zone is open for transitory use, but vessel operators wanting to anchor must get permission from the Captain of the Port San Francisco. Notifications about the enforcement will also be provided through Broadcast Notice to Mariners.

The Coast Guard is proposing a new rule to update the list of recurring safety zone regulations for events like fireworks displays and air shows in the Ohio Valley area. This update aims to reduce administrative efforts by eliminating the need for separate rule proposals for each event. The rule would enhance safety by restricting vessel movement in these zones and informing the community in advance, while allowing for public comments to ensure effective implementation. It also considers impacts on small businesses, regulatory costs, and environmental effects, but is expected to have minimal economic impact.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) announced a virtual meeting of the Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel (ASAP) scheduled for February 18, 2021. The meeting will cover updates on programs involving the safety of human spaceflight, including the International Space Station, Commercial Crew, Exploration System Development, and Human Lunar Exploration programs. Members of the public can participate by phone and have the opportunity to make verbal presentations or submit written statements related to NASA safety. This meeting is essential to accommodate the scheduling priorities of key participants.

The Executive Order 13999, titled "Protecting Worker Health and Safety", was issued by the President to prioritize protecting workers from COVID-19. The order directs the Secretary of Labor, through the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), to issue updated workplace safety guidance and consider emergency standards such as mask requirements. It also emphasizes coordination with state and local governments to protect public employees, and includes a national program to focus on violations that significantly endanger workers. Additionally, it encourages outreach efforts to inform workers of their rights, particularly in communities heavily impacted by the pandemic.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has updated safety standards for play yards, which are framed enclosures for children. The new rule incorporates the latest voluntary standard, ASTM F406-24, which includes several safety improvements, such as clearer definitions and warning labels to prevent strangulation, and requirements for cord and strap lengths to avoid hazards. These updates will become mandatory on April 5, 2025, unless significant adverse comments are received by February 28, 2025. The changes aim to enhance the safety of play yards without needing public comment, as the revised standard will automatically take effect under the law.

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) of the Department of Transportation (DOT) is seeking public feedback regarding their plan to renew several information collection activities set to expire in 2021. These collections, which involve activities like post-accident drug testing, public awareness programs, and maintaining certain pipeline safety records, are crucial for ensuring ongoing pipeline safety. PHMSA is inviting comments to explore ways to improve the relevance, accuracy, and efficiency of this data collection. Public comments should be submitted by April 19, 2021, and PHMSA provides various means, such as online, fax, and mail, for submitting these comments.

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has issued a new version, Revision 4, of Regulatory Guide 1.105, which focuses on the setpoints for safety-related instrumentation used in nuclear facilities. This guide has been updated to include information from the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and International Society of Automation (ISA) Standard 67.04.01-2018. It provides an approved method for ensuring that these setpoints comply with required safety and technical specifications. The guide is available for public access, and there were 24 public comments submitted during its review process.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has announced a virtual meeting for the Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel (ASAP) on January 30, 2025. This meeting, held from 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. eastern time, allows public participation through a conference call. Participants can share their thoughts on NASA's safety matters by contacting Lisa Hackley in advance. The meeting will cover updates on the Space Station, Commercial Crew, and Moon to Mars programs.