EHS News

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported in their July 2011 Traffic Safety Facts that their High- Visibility Enforcement model programs, aimed at curbing distracted driving, have been successful. 

NHTSA initiated distracted driving demonstration programs in two communities to test whether a high-visibility enforcement (HVE) model could reduce two specific instances of distracted driving—talking or texting using a hand-held cell phone. The HVE model combines:

In a July 8, 2011 Federal Register notice of proposed rulemaking, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) proposed to amend the physical qualifications for drivers and the instructions for the medical examination report to clarify that drivers may not use Schedule I drugs and be qualified to drive commercial motor vehicles under any circumstances. The proposal also harmonizes FMCSA’s provisions regarding pre-employment and return-to-duty test refusals with corresponding Department of Transportation (DOT) - wide provisions.

NIOSH and the National Hearing Conservation Association (NHCA) partnered in 2007 to create the Safe-In-Sound Award for Excellence in Hearing Loss Prevention. The objectives of this award are to recognize organizations that document measurable achievements in hearing loss prevention programs in the work environment, and to obtain and disseminate information on their real world successes.

In the June 22, 2011 Federal Register, OSHA  published a proposal to update Appendix A to Subpart B of its Injury and Illness Recording and Reporting regulations. Appendix A contains a list of industries that are partially exempt from maintaining records of occupational injuries and illnesses, generally due to their relatively low rates of occupational injury and illness.  The current list of industries is based on the Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) system.

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has changed the name of its WorkLife Program to Total Worker Health™. The Institute explains the name change is the result of a growing recognition among NIOSH and its partners that a multitude of work and non-work related factors influence employees’ safety, health, ability to work and well-being in every aspect of their lives.

A final rule that, according to OSHA, streamlines standards while reducing employer burdens, was published in the June 8, 2011 Federal Register. The rule stems from President Obama’s Jan. 18 Executive Order, “Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review.”

On June 2, 2011 the Occupational Safety and Health Administration issued a new directive establishing a National Emphasis Program for the Primary Metal Industries. The purpose of the NEP is to identify and reduce or eliminate worker exposures to harmful chemical and physical hazards in establishments producing metal products.