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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 Advisory Board on Toxic Substances and Worker Health will hold a meeting on February 5-6, 2025, in Richland, WA, near the Hanford Site, to discuss various issues related to the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act (EEOICPA). Public participation is encouraged, and people can submit comments or request to speak by January 29, 2025, through email or mail. The Advisory Board aims to review past recommendations, discuss new issues, and address concerns related to claims and medical guidance for workers affected by toxic substances. The meeting will be open to the public with an opportunity for comments on February 5, 2025.

The Wage and Hour Division (WHD) of the U.S. Department of Labor announced that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved an extension for the information collection titled “High-Wage Components of the Labor Value Content Requirements under USMCA.” This collection, identified by OMB Control Number 1235-0032, now has an expiration date of January 31, 2024. This decision allows the WHD to continue collecting data related to wage components under USMCA, which are part of the requirements for companies that fall under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). Public notification of this extension was published to comply with regulations requiring official announcements for such approvals.

The U.S. Department of Labor has issued an amendment that extends the effective periods of Prohibited Transaction Exemptions (PTEs) for the Royal Bank of Canada and Northern Trust Corporation. These amendments allow certain entities to continue operations without disruption due to legal issues in France related to tax fraud convictions. The extension is until September 4, 2025, or until a final decision is made on their longer-term requests. Both RBC and Northern must adhere to specific conditions to utilize this extended relief.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is asking for public feedback on its plan to continue collecting information required by the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Standard for Shipyard Employment. This proposal aims to extend the Office of Management and Budget’s (OMB) approval for these paperwork requirements. They are particularly interested in comments on the necessity and usefulness of this information, ways to reduce the burden on employers, and the accuracy of the estimated time and costs involved. Comments must be submitted by April 29, 2025, and can be sent electronically through the Federal eRulemaking Portal.

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.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is announcing that TUV Rheinland of North America, Inc. has applied to expand their recognition as a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory. This expansion involves adding fourteen more test standards to the scope of their recognized capabilities. OSHA is currently reviewing the applications and is seeking public comments on whether TUV Rheinland meets the requirements for this recognition expansion. Comments and requests for more time to comment should be submitted by February 18, 2021.

The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), part of the Labor Department, received a petition from ACNR Holdings, Inc. to modify existing safety standards for certain mines in West Virginia. They propose using the 3M Versaflo TR-800 Powered Air Purifying Respirator (PAPR) as an alternative for respirable dust protection near mining areas. ACNR Holdings argues that their proposed alternative method will provide the same or better safety for miners. The public is invited to comment on this petition by May 19, 2025.

OSHA, a part of the Labor Department, made some minor corrections to its rule about exposure to beryllium in construction and shipyard jobs. The original rule, published on August 31, 2020, had some mistakes, which are now being fixed. OSHA says these changes are technical corrections and do not involve public input because they don't change any existing rights or responsibilities. The corrections ensure that workers are offered the right medical tests during evaluations, even if they have to be done at a different location agreed upon by the employer and the employee.

OSHA has announced that IAPMO Ventures, LLC is applying to expand its recognition as a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL). The expansion will include six additional test standards within IAPMO's scope of recognition. The public can submit comments or request additional time to comment by March 10, 2021. OSHA will review the comments and make a recommendation to the Assistant Secretary, who will decide whether to approve the application and publish the final decision in the Federal Register.