Search Results for keywords:"Safety Standards"

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 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 for modification has been submitted to the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) by Rockwell Mining, LLC, seeking to change the existing safety standards. They request permission to use non-approved Powered Air Purifying Respirators (PAPRs), specifically the CleanSpace EX and 3M Versaflo TR-800 models, near certain mining areas. The petition outlines the safety and training measures that would accompany the use of these devices to ensure they maintain or improve safety standards for miners. The petition emphasizes alternatives for miners with facial hair and those who find regular respirators uncomfortable, ensuring safety is not compromised.

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 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 Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) received a petition from Mingo Logan Coal, LLC to modify safety standards at Mountaineer II Mine in Logan County, West Virginia. The company seeks permission to use alternative breathing equipment, the 3M Versaflo TR-800 and CleanSpace EX, which are not currently approved by MSHA but are deemed safe under other safety certifications. The petition outlines training and safety measures to ensure these devices offer equivalent protection to existing standards. The public is invited to comment on this request by January 29, 2025.

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 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has delayed the effective date of a new safety rule, FMVSS No. 305a, from December 20, 2024, to March 20, 2025. This rule is meant to update safety standards for electric vehicles, focusing on aspects like battery safety and emergency response information. The delay allows for further review as directed by a presidential memorandum, aiming to ensure all new regulations are thoroughly considered. Public comments are not being solicited for this delay because it was deemed urgent and necessary for the smooth implementation of the regulations.

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 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has introduced new safety standards, called FMVSS Nos. 307 and 308, aimed at ensuring the safe use of hydrogen as a fuel source in vehicles. These rules set performance requirements for hydrogen fuel systems and storage to reduce the risk of fires and explosions. While the rules apply to most hydrogen-fueled vehicles, they exclude certain types like those with cryo-compressed or solid-state hydrogen storage systems. The standards are designed to align with international regulations but include some U.S.-specific adjustments to ensure testing is clear and objective.