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House Democrats on the Education and Workforce Committee are urging the Labor Department (DOL) to enforce a self-insurance rule that requires coal operators to contribute to the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund (BLDTF), raising concerns that lack of enforcement increases the risk to taxpayers and the integrity of the fund.
Labor unions are touting an agreement they reached with one of the companies challenging worker protection requirements in the Biden-era EPA risk management rule for trichloroethylene (TCE), saying it could serve as a model to resolve other industry parties’ opposition to staying the litigation while EPA reconsiders the rule.
Jonathan Snare was sworn in as the new chairman of the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission (OSHRC) Nov. 24, although it is unclear when the panel will reach a quorum allowing it to hear appeals of OSHA enforcement actions that have been adjudicated by an administrative law judge (ALJ).
California OSHA (Cal/OSHA) officials are attacking OSHA’s proposal to remove medical evaluation requirements from its respirator standard, while offering recommendations to help ensure the standard is as protective as possible should OSHA proceed with its planned changes.
The Small Business Administration (SBA) Office of Advocacy is highlighting to the Justice Department (DOJ) worker protection laws in Washington state and Oregon that it says “impose significant burdens on small businesses” and should be preempted as part of a broader Trump administration effort to target such laws.
Jeffrey Clark Nov. 18 ended his tenure as acting administrator of the White House office that reviews rules from OSHA and other agencies at the end of the 300 days allowed by the Federal Vacancies Reform Act (FVRA) and is now serving as the office’s associate administrator, an Office of Management and Budget (OMB) spokeswoman says.
The American Chemistry Council (ACC) is raising concerns that OSHA’s plan to modify several substance-specific respirator standards could cause unnecessary confusion for employers because EPA has referenced at least one of the standards in its chemical risk management rules and is urging the two agencies to ensure they coordinate.
Construction-sector groups and occupational health experts are providing a mixed reaction to OSHA’s proposal to remove medical evaluation requirements from its respirator standard, with even some groups who support modifying the standard arguing that total elimination goes too far because such screenings are best practice.
Labor unions and other worker advocates are opposing OSHA’s proposal to remove some medical evaluation requirements in its respiratory protection rule, arguing the proposal is based on flawed reasoning and a lack of understanding of respirator use that is contrary to the law and will result in harm to workers.
EPA has released its draft TSCA risk evaluation of the solvent 1,2-dichloroethane (1,2-DCA), preliminarily determining that it presents unreasonable risk of inhalation or dermal injuries to workers from a variety of uses, though the agency also says it will not seek further review of the draft since an underlying health assessment was reviewed last year alongside a related chemical.
Labor unions are opposing OSHA’s plan to eliminate the COVID-19 emergency temporary standard (ETS), pointing to the continued need for data transparency, although various unions differ on whether the agency should address their concerns through a permanent COVID-19 standard or a broader infectious disease standard.
The Labor Department’s Office of Administrative Law Judges (OALJ) reopened on Nov. 13 after the 43-day government shutdown ended, allowing pending cases to resume and requiring some proceedings to be rescheduled following the weeks-long closure.
A recent policy memorandum from the White House Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) aimed at speeding deregulatory efforts is likely to also affect the way OSHA approaches new regulations it deems necessary, with the agency prioritizing rules rooted in clear statutory text, one legal expert says.
A coalition of 14 states led by Pennsylvania and Illinois is outlining a series of legal arguments against OSHA’s proposal to narrow the agency’s interpretation of the General Duty Clause, raising concerns about the increased burden for states while echoing statutory and case law arguments raised by unions and occupational health experts.
Chemical manufacturers and a conservative foundation are pressing EPA in comments on a proposed renewal of data collection for the TSCA methylene chloride risk management rules to eliminate duplicative and overlapping EPA and OSHA workplace requirements for the chemical as well other cost burdens.
A Michigan Senate panel is weighing legislation that would bring the state’s OSHA penalties in line with federal requirements, seeking to head off the potential loss of state protections for public-sector employees and other state benefits if OSHA were to revoke the approval of Michigan’s program.
A conservative regulatory reform group is strongly supporting OSHA’s proposal to narrow its interpretation of the General Duty Clause, saying the change “will restore regulatory clarity, align enforcement with statutory and constitutional limits, reduce burdens on small business, and reinforce respect for professional autonomy and risk management.”
The United Auto Workers (UAW) is challenging a Biden-era EPA rule for evaluating the risks of new chemicals, arguing the agency violated the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) when it failed to respond to unions’ comments on how to ensure workers have information about chemicals to which they may be exposed while on the job.
North Carolina’s Republican labor commissioner is urging Senate Democrats to end the ongoing federal government shutdown, warning that unless OSHA grants to states are restored, North Carolina will be forced to furlough safety inspectors, putting the state’s workers at risk.