Tumwater, WA — Required access to preventive cool-down periods and a lower “temperature action level” are among the updates to Washington state’s permanent rules aimed at protecting outdoor workers from excessive heat.

Tumwater, WA — To clarify its crane decertification and reinstatement requirements, the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries is proposing changes to its regulations on cranes and derricks in construction.

Tumwater, WA — In an effort to protect workers against unhealthy air caused by wildfire smoke, the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries has issued permanent rules on the hazard.

Phoenix — The Phoenix City Council on March 26 unanimously passed an ordinance requiring contractors and subcontractors who work with the city to have a written safety plan that addresses severe heat.

Sacramento, CA — Most workplaces in California must now adopt a number of worker safety measures when indoor temperatures hit specific levels.

Washington — A controversial U.S. Department of Agriculture final rule unveiled Sept. 17 removes maximum line speeds in pork-processing plants and transfers certain inspection responsibilities to plant workers.

Minneapolis — A coalition consisting of the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union, three local affiliate unions and watchdog group Public Citizen is suing the U.S. Department of Agriculture over a controversial final rule that removes maximum line speeds in pork-processing plants and transfers certain inspection responsibilities to plant workers.

Washington — The U.S. Department of Agriculture “did not take adequate steps to determine whether the worker safety data it used … were reliable” when proposing a controversial rule that removes line speeds in pork-processing plants and transfers certain inspection responsibilities to plant workers, the USDA Office of Inspector General concludes in a report released June 25.

Seattle — The cannabis industry needs federal regulations and guidance on workplace safety, according to University of Washington professor and researcher Christopher Simpson.

Washington — A controversial U.S. Department of Agriculture rule that would permit line speeds at certain poultry processing plants to increase to 175 birds a minute from the current 140 is under review by the White House Office of Management and Budget.

Washington — OSHA has published a fact sheet intended to help employers comply with the agency’s standard on worker exposure to respirable crystalline silica (1926.1153) for general industry and maritime.

In this new white paper, J. J. Keller’s safety and regulatory experts address common questions they’ve received about ladders, stairs, pits, and platforms to help readers clearly understand how to protect workers and stay in compliance.

OSHA’s 2023 final rule updating its electronic injury and illness reporting requirements went into effect in January, and the first reports under the revised requirements were already due to the agency on March 2.

Washington – A proposed OSHA rule that would update the permissible exposure limit for beryllium is under review by the Office of Management and Budget.

Washington – The construction industry should be exempt from OSHA’s forthcoming proposed rule on beryllium, according to a manufacturer of industrial abrasives.

Washington – Watchdog group Public Citizen is urging the Office of Management and Budget to complete a review of OSHA’s proposed standard on beryllium and open the rule for public comment.

Washington – Several final and proposed OSHA rules – including a long-delayed update to the beryllium rule – are expected to be published in the next few months, according to the agency’s spring regulatory agenda, released May 21.

Washington – The White House on July 7 completed its review of OSHA’s proposed rule on beryllium, clearing the way for the agency to publicly publish the proposal.

Washington – OSHA is proposing to dramatically lower its 34-year-old permissible exposure limit for beryllium to one-tenth of its current level, the agency announced Aug. 6.

Washington – OSHA has scheduled an informal public hearing in Washington to gather more input on the agency’s proposed rule on beryllium.

Washington – OSHA’s proposed rule on beryllium is “a step in the right direction” but could be stronger, according to a pair of worker safety and health advocates who testified at an informal hearing on the proposal.

Washington – OSHA’s Maritime Advisory Committee for Occupational Safety and Health is scheduled to receive an update on the agency’s proposed beryllium rule during a May 3 meeting.

Washington – OSHA’s final rule on preventing slips, trips and falls is scheduled for publication in August, according to the spring regulatory agenda released May 18.

OSHA’s final rule on occupational exposure to beryllium is scheduled for publication in January, according to the Department of Labor’s fall regulatory agenda, released Nov. 17.

Washington – OSHA has issued a final rule lowering occupational exposure limits for beryllium. The standards apply to general industry, construction and shipyards.

OSHA has issued a long-awaited final rule lowering occupational exposure limits for beryllium, a lightweight metal used in various industries. Supporters of the rule say it's the result of an innovative collaboration between industry and labor.

Washington – OSHA has delayed until March 21 the effective date of its final rule intended to protect workers from exposure to beryllium.

Washington – The Department of Labor is proposing to delay until May 20 the effective date of a final rule intended to protect workers from beryllium.

Washington – A final rule intended to protect workers from exposure to beryllium has been delayed a second time.

Washington – OSHA has issued a proposed rule that would roll back certain provisions of its final rule on worker exposure to beryllium in the construction and shipyard industries.

Washington — OSHA’s Advisory Committee on Construction Safety and Health has scheduled a teleconference/WebEx meeting for Sept. 9 to discuss potential changes to beryllium regulations, according to a notice published in the Aug. 8 Federal Register.

Washington — As expected, OSHA is proposing changes to its beryllium standards for the construction and shipyard industries.

Washington — An Environmental Protection Agency final rule will require manufacturers and importers of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances to report information on PFAS use, exposures and hazards.

Fairfax, VA – OSHA’s forthcoming crane operator qualifications rule will be different from a draft previously issued, an agency official recently told stakeholders.

OSHA recommends workers follow eight “rules to live by” regarding downed electrical lines.

Sacramento, CA – The California Department of Industrial Relations has issued a new guidance document to help familiarize employers on the state’s updated heat illness prevention rules, which are set to go into effect May 1.

Washington – OSHA has issued a final rule that revises requirements for face and eye protection for workers in general industry, construction and longshoring, as well as at shipyards and marine terminals.

Washington — OSHA is seeking comment on a proposed rule aimed at protecting indoor and outdoor workers from heat-related illnesses.

Los Angeles — OSHA administrator Doug Parker is urging workers to provide feedback on the agency’s proposed rule aimed at protecting them from heat-related illnesses both indoors and outdoors.

Washington — The Federal Railroad Administration is seeking comment on a proposed rule that would require certain railroads to develop and implement a fatigue risk management program as a component of their larger safety risk reduction programs.

Washington — The Environmental Protection Agency is seeking comment on problem formulation documents for the first 10 chemicals slated for evaluation for potential health and environmental risks under the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act, as well as a systematic review approach document and a proposed significant new use rule for asbestos.

Washington — The Environmental Protection Agency has issued a final rule on asbestos intended to keep manufacturers from reintroducing “discontinued uses” of the known human carcinogen into the market without EPA approval.

Washington — A group of House Republicans is moving to repeal a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration final rule that stipulates minimum training requirements for entry-level truck drivers.

Austin, TX — A Texas judge has struck down a recently signed state law that would prohibit local municipalities and counties from mandating water breaks for workers.

Washington — A bipartisan group of House and Senate lawmakers have introduced a joint Congressional Review Act resolution to repeal the National Labor Relations Board’s recently revised joint employer rule.

Washington — The House has passed a Congressional Review Act resolution intended to nullify the National Labor Relations Board’s recent rule revising the definition of “joint employer.”