Regulatory

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced on Friday November 12, 2010 that OSHA is convening an informal public hearing to receive testimony and documentary evidence on the Walking-Working Surfaces and Personal Protective Equipment (Fall Protection Systems) proposed rule (29 CFR part 1910, subparts D and I), published on May 24, 2010 (73 FR 28862).

DATES:

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is undertaking a rulemaking effort directed toward requiring employers to establish injury and illness prevention programs (I2P2) to monitor and more effectively implement practices to mitigate workplace hazards, thereby reducing the incidence of employee injuries and illnesses. OSHA believes that widespread implementation of such programs will substantially improve overall workplace safety and health conditions.

Comments of Mercer ORC Networks on OSHA's May 24, 2010, proposal to revise the General Industry Walking and Working Surfaces standards in 29 CFR 1910, Subpart D, and requirements for fall protection equipment in 29 CFR 1910, Subpart I, are attached below.  Mercer's comments were filed on August 23, 2010.  

In a July 27, 2010 Federal Register Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), in coordination with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), is proposing to enhance existing attendance requirements for explosives stored during transportation by designating the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standard 498 as the Federally approved standard for the construction and maintenance of safe havens used for unattended storage of Division 1.1, 1.2, and 1.3 explosives.

In a July 27, 2010 Federal Register  Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) is proposing to revise its procedures for applying for a special permit to require an applicant to provide sufficient information about its operations to enable the agency to evaluate the applicant’s fitness and the safety impact of operations that would be authorized in the special permit. In addition, PHMSA is providing an on-line application option.

DATES: Submit comments by August 26, 2010.