MSHA Expands Safety Training Standards to Include Shaft and Slope Construction Workers
MSHA recently released a final rule expanding safety and health training requirements for miners to include shaft and slope construction workers. In a December 30,
2005, Federal Register notice, MSHA issued revisions to a federal code that had specifically excluded the group from training requirements. The announcement came
just prior to the January 2, 2006, tragedy at the Sago mine in West Virginia that resulted in the death of twelve miners. The accident underscored the need for
regular review of mining safety and health regulations.
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Watershed Handbook Released
EPA's Office of Water has published a guide to watershed management as a tool in developing and implementing watershed plans. The draft Handbook for Developing
Watershed Plans to Restore and Protect Our Waters is aimed toward communities, watershed groups, and local, state, tribal, and federal environmental agencies.
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OSHA Resuming Regular Enforcement Along Most of U.S. Gulf Coast
OSHA will resume regular enforcement of job safety and health standards throughout much of the hurricane-impacted U.S. Gulf Coast. As of Jan. 25, normal enforcement
will be conducted throughout Florida and Alabama, in Mississippi north of Interstate 10, and in Louisiana except in seven parishes in and around New Orleans.
Following Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma, OSHA exempted a number of counties and parishes in Florida, Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana from regular enforcement
status. This action enabled OSHA staff to provide faster and more flexible responses to hazards facing workers involved in the cleanup and recovery. Thousands of
crews and individual workers received job safety and health technical assistance. OSHA limited inspections to cases involving fatalities, catastrophic accidents or
complaints.
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New ISO Standard on GHG
ISO's future ISO 14064 standards for the quantification, reporting and verification of GHG emissions are being presented to the United Nations Climate Change
Conference. Targeted for release in mid-March 2006, the three-part ISO 14064 is being developed as a practical tool to enable government and business to measure and
manage greenhouse gas emissions and reduction activities. The draft standard is already being incorporated in governmental GHG mechanisms in Australia and Canada.
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New Strategic Plan Issued for AIHA
AIHA recently issued its 2006-2010 strategic plan. The new plan incorporates changes
to the association’s mission and vision, expanding them to include recognition of the importance of both practicing industrial hygienists and the rapidly growing
field of generalists with broader occupational and environmental health and safety responsibilities. The plan outlines myriad strategies to meet four main goals:
professional community; advocacy, influence, and value; information, learning, and
knowledge; and operational excellence.
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You Make the Call
Scenario: A manufacturing facility was recently audited by the small EHS consulting firm, Audits R' Us. During their inspections, the consultants noticed that no
powered industrial truck (PIT) refresher training has been held since all PIT drivers were licensed in 1999. The consultants also could not find evidence of
triennial PIT driver performance evaluations. The firm listed this as a finding for the facility and recommended that all of their PIT drivers attend a refresher
course as soon as possible.
Question: Does OSHA require that the PIT drivers in this facility attend a refresher class and take a written examination every three years to continue to
demonstrate their knowledge of safe PIT driving practices?
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Compliance Deadline
Its time to complete and sign your 2005 OSHA 300 Log summary. All employers covered by the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970
must complete the OSHA 300 Log for each calendar year. The 300A Summary form must be posted from February 1 to April 30 of the year
following the year covered by the form.
Link of the Week:
Pandemic and Avian Flu
The official U.S. government Web site for information on pandemic flu and avian influenza. Information is organized by topic on the left sidebar.
Upcoming Events:
15th Annual EHS Symposium
March 29-30, 2006
Cincinnati, Ohio
Waste Expo
April 3-7, 2006
Las Vegas, Nevada
NORA Symposium 2006
April 18-20, 2006
Washington, D.C.
AIHce 2006
May 13-18, 2006
Chicago, Illinois
NFPA World Safety Conference & Expo
June 4-8, 2006
Orlando, Florida
OSHA Regs Open for Comment:
Roll-Over Protective Structures
Comments Due: Jan. 30, 2005
Safety Product Certification Proposal
Comments Due: February 13, 2006
USEPA Regs Open for Comment:
Oil: SPCC Amendments
Comments Due: February 10, 2006
NAAQS: Draft Air Quality Criteria for Lead
Comments Due: February 15, 2006
NPDES: Stormwater Multi-Sector General Permit Reissue
Comments Due: February 16, 2006
TSCA: Lead Rule
Comments Due: April 10, 2006
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Just for fun, name this Memorable Quote:
"It is better to offer no excuse than a bad one."
George Washington
Just for fun, name this Acronym:
GHG
Greenhouse Gas
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