OSHA roundup for July 9, 2012

News

David Michaels announced that OSHA will seek help on addressing chemical exposures and will develop new employer resources.

How effective are mandatory settlement meetings for significant OSHA penalties? The Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission proposed a survey to find out.

Office of Management and Budget began reviewing a final rule updating OSHA’s standards on electric power transmission and distribution; and electrical protective equipment.

Notable proposed fines

$139,000 in penalties for allegations of not correcting previously cited electrical hazards at an Amityville, NY-based machine shop, which also was placed in OSHA’s Severe Violator Enforcement Program

$124,000 for alleged confined space entry and lockout/tagout violations at a manufacturing facility in Norwood, NJ

Review counter

The Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs – part of the White House’s Office of Management and Budget – reviews proposed regulations. The process is required for most rules before they can move forward, and typically takes 90 days.

Below is a count of how many days recent OSHA proposals have been under review, as of today.

• 511 days – Silica (proposed rule)
• 230 days – Modernizing OSHA’s reporting system for injuries and illnesses (proposed rule)
• 12 days – Electric power transmission and distribution; electrical protective equipment (final rule)

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