Search Results for keywords:"Safety Standards"

The Consumer Product Safety Commission is holding a public meeting on Wednesday, January 15, 2025, at 10:00 a.m., followed by a closed session. The meeting will take place at Room 420, Bethesda Towers in Bethesda, MD, and will discuss a proposed rulemaking regarding safety standards for lithium-ion batteries used in micromobility products. The public can watch a live webcast of the open session or join by phone using the provided link and dial-in information. For further details, contact Alberta E. Mills at the addresses and phone numbers provided.

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is reopening the public comment period for the draft Regulatory Guide DG-1436, which deals with the acceptability of certain engineering codes for high temperature reactors. Originally solicited on December 13, 2024, the comment period ended on January 27, 2025, but has now been extended to February 26, 2025, to allow additional time for public input. The NRC encourages electronic submissions through their website, and emphasizes that personal information should not be included in comments if one wishes to keep it private. Suggestions for improving regulatory guides can also be submitted through their public website.

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has issued an exemption to Constellation Energy Generation, LLC, allowing the Nine Mile Point Nuclear Station to use the Holtec HI-STORM Flood/Wind Multi-Purpose Canister Storage System for six MPC-89 containers starting in May 2025. This exemption permits them to bypass certain requirements usually needed for the storage of nuclear waste because their analysis for handling tornado-generated missiles differs from the NRC-approved method. The NRC determined that granting this exemption will not pose a threat to life, property, or security and is in the public interest. The decision ensures efficient management of spent nuclear fuel while maintaining safety standards.

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has issued a final rule modifying the Federal Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards. This rule adopts certain recommendations from the Manufactured Housing Consensus Committee (MHCC) to enhance safety, affordability, and flexibility of manufactured homes. Key amendments include updates to standards for attached garages and structures, interior passage dimensions, carbon monoxide and smoke alarms, and stairway design and requirements. The rule aims to modernize the standards, align them with best practices, and incorporate new technologies to provide benefits to consumers and the broader community.

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has issued Revision 1 to its Regulatory Guide 1.191, titled "Fire Protection Program for Nuclear Power Plants During Decommissioning." This updated guide provides new information that has emerged since the original version and includes guidance for plants that have adhered to the National Fire Protection Association's Standard 805 for fire protection. The guide specifies methods the NRC considers acceptable for fire protection in plants that have stopped operating and removed fuel from reactor vessels. Despite issuing this guide, the NRC does not currently plan to enforce its recommendations in a way that changes existing regulations or requirements.

The Department of Labor is asking the public for comments on a new information collection about safety standards for roof bolts used in mines. This request is part of an effort to prevent injuries and deaths from accidents like roof falls in underground and surface mines. People have until April 21, 2025, to provide their feedback, and this process is part of a legal requirement to ensure public involvement and transparency. The department wants ideas on everything from the usefulness of this information collection to ways that it could be improved while reducing costs.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is exercising enforcement discretion, meaning they won't enforce compliance with a rule called "Integration of Powered-Lift: Pilot Certification and Operations; Miscellaneous Amendments" until March 20, 2025. This rule was originally published in November 2024 but received corrections in January 2025. The delay allows time for appointed officials to review the rule to ensure it aligns with legal and administrative policies. The decision follows a broader call for a 60-day freeze on new regulations to allow for such reviews.

The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) has received a petition from South32 Hermosa Inc. seeking to modify safety standards for their Hermosa Mine in Arizona. The company proposes using portable MineARC Refuge Chambers with onboard life-support supplies instead of external systems for air and water, arguing these provide at least equal protection in emergencies. MSHA is accepting comments on this petition until January 6, 2025. The modification aims to enhance safety by ensuring refuges are self-contained and less vulnerable to mine hazards.

The Forest Service, part of the USDA, is seeking public comments on the reapproval or reinstatement of an information collection request related to the "Qualified Products List for Wildland Fire Chemicals." This process ensures that the Forest Service has access to safe and effective firefighting chemicals necessary for wildland fire management. Manufacturers or suppliers need to provide detailed information about their products, including ingredients and safety data, and undergo evaluations to meet specific safety and performance standards. Comments are invited on the necessity and efficiency of this information collection, and they must be submitted by February 18, 2025.

A petition has been submitted to the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) by Kanawha Eagle Mining, LLC, seeking permission to use certain types of Powered Air Purifying Respirators (PAPRs) that are not currently approved by MSHA at the Winchester Peerless Rachel Mine in West Virginia. The company argues that these PAPRs provide both safety and comfort for miners, especially in hot conditions or for those with facial hair. The alternative safety measures outlined in the petition claim to offer equal protection compared to existing standards. MSHA is inviting public comments on this petition until January 6, 2025.