Federal agencies

RSS

Washington – In response to recent derailments, many railroads that ship oil will begin taking new safety precautions this year, under a new agreement between the Department of Transportation and the Association of American Railroads.

Washington – OSHA administrator David Michaels has written a letter to employers regarding legal requirements and best practice recommendations for the safe storage and handling of ammonium nitrate.

Washington – OSHA has updated its guidance document on the enforcement of shipyard safety and health standards.

Washington – OSHA has extended the comment period for its proposed rule on recordkeeping by two days to March 10.

Washington – On-duty pilots are now prohibited from using personal electronic devices in the cockpit, according to a Federal Aviation Administration final rule announced Feb. 11.

Washington – The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s Compliance, Safety, Accountability program has enhanced federal efforts to improve safety in the commercial truck and bus industries, concludes a study released Feb. 5 by the government’s Volpe National Transportation Systems Center.

Washington – Point a laser at an aircraft and you could end up in jail for up to five years, receive a federal fine of up to $250,000, or both, according to the FBI.

Washington – Rest breaks used to “restart” truck drivers’ duty cycles are more effective at reducing fatigue when they include two periods of nighttime sleep, according to a study released Jan. 30 by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

Falls Church, VA – With the federal government occupied with budgetary issues and having to deal with a “broken” rulemaking process, states may end up taking their own steps to craft occupational safety and health legislation and regulation, according to the American Industrial Hygiene Association.