Search Results for keywords:"safety regulations"

The Metropolitan Council's Metro Transit Division has asked the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) for an extension of a waiver from certain federal railroad safety regulations for its METRO Green Line Light Rail Transit Extension Project. This request aims to maintain their existing safety procedures which already comply with other federal standards, despite being potentially different from standard railroad safety regulations. The FRA is inviting public comments on this request until February 25, 2025, and these comments can be submitted online. The FRA does not expect to hold a public hearing but will consider requests for one if submitted within the comment period.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has proposed a new rule to replace an existing Airworthiness Directive (AD) for certain Airbus SAS Model A350 airplanes. This comes after the development of a new water-resistant integrated control panel (ICP) to prevent issues from liquid spills on the flight deck, which previously could cause engine shutdowns mid-flight. The proposed rule would make it mandatory to install this new panel, eliminating the need for previous protective measures. Public comments on this proposal can be submitted until April 8, 2021.

The Coast Guard has announced it will enforce special local regulations for the San Juan Harbor Christmas Boat Parade on December 14, 2024, to ensure safety on the water. During the event from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., no one is allowed to enter or stay in the designated area of San Juan Harbor without Coast Guard approval. This enforcement is part of their efforts to maintain safe navigation during recurring marine events. The Coast Guard will provide additional information through various notices and may work with other law enforcement agencies to enforce the rules.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), part of the Department of Transportation, announced that it is exempting 16 individuals from the hearing requirements normally needed to operate a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) across state lines. These exemptions allow hard of hearing and deaf individuals to legally drive CMVs in interstate commerce and are valid for two years, starting December 24, 2024. The decision was made after determining that these drivers could maintain an equivalent or higher level of safety compared to those meeting the hearing requirements. The conditions of the exemption include specific reporting obligations and a prohibition on driving passenger buses across state lines.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has renewed exemptions for seven drivers who have epilepsy or seizure disorders, allowing them to continue driving commercial motor vehicles across state lines. These exemptions, effective from August 31, 2024, to August 31, 2026, were granted after the FMCSA determined that they would maintain or exceed safety standards for drivers. Despite public invitations for comments, no feedback was received during the review periods. Each exemption will last two years unless revoked due to non-compliance, decreased safety, or inconsistency with regulatory goals.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has decided to renew exemptions for ten individuals, allowing them to drive commercial motor vehicles even though they have epilepsy or seizure disorders, as long as they remain seizure-free and under stable treatment. These exemptions are valid for two years and enable the individuals, who are on anti-seizure medication, to continue working in interstate commerce. FMCSA ensures ongoing safety through annual medical reports and examinations, and while the exemption is in effect, states cannot enforce conflicting laws against these drivers. If any conditions are not met or if safety is compromised, the exemptions can be revoked.

Columbia Gas Transmission, LLC has requested permission to abandon an injection/withdrawal well and associated facilities in Guernsey County, Ohio, as part of the Guernsey Well 7908 Abandonment Project. This project is in response to safety regulations and due to the facilities' low performance. The public can engage in the project's review by filing protests, motions to intervene, or comments, with a deadline of February 24, 2025. Additional information can be accessed through the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's website, where interested persons can also choose to follow updates on the proceeding via eSubscription.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has denied petitions requesting changes to the rules for adaptive driving beam (ADB) headlighting systems in vehicles. These petitions followed a final rule issued on February 22, 2022, that updated the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard to allow for the certification of ADB headlamps in the U.S. Despite industry concerns about technical complexities, testing standards, and the desire for more flexibility in the rules, NHTSA maintained its position that the existing standards balance safety with performance. The agency emphasized that ADB systems must meet both vehicle-level and component-level requirements to ensure they improve visibility without causing excessive glare to other drivers.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is seeking public comments on a request from Grote Industries, LLC to renew an exemption that allows the use of amber pulsating brake lights on trailers and van body trucks. This exemption, which was granted in 2020 and is set to expire in 2025, aims to improve vehicle visibility and reduce accidents. Since the exemption was first granted, pulse lights have been installed on many vehicles, reportedly reducing rear-end crashes and crash severity. FMCSA invites the public to share their thoughts on renewing this exemption, which would continue to allow motor carriers to install these additional safety lights on their vehicles.

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is considering an amendment to extend the operations of the high-assay, low-enriched uranium (HALEU) demonstration program at the American Centrifuge Plant until June 30, 2025, with a possibility of further extension if the contract with the U.S. Department of Energy is extended. The NRC issued an environmental assessment and determined there would be no significant environmental impacts from this proposed action, meaning a more detailed environmental impact statement is unnecessary. The extended operations would adhere to current safety regulations without major changes to the facility or processes, and would not significantly affect air quality, public health, or waste management.