An In-Depth Look at Hazard Communication Enforcement

EHS Daily Advisor by Guy BurdickNational – The hazard communication standard (HCS) is the second most frequently cited federal workplace safety and health standard, surpassed only by the construction industry’s fall protection standard. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) cited the HCS 4,102 times between October 2018 and September 2019 during 2,276 inspections for…

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Merkley Criticizes Years of EPA Delays, Urges Congress to Ban Asbestos Now

KTVZ Washington, DC – Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., lead sponsor of the Alan Reinstein Ban Asbestos Now Act, released the following statement last Monday marking the four-year anniversary of the signing of the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act. The Lautenberg Act gave the Environmental Protection Agency the power to ban asbestos and required the EPA to have…

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Advisors Say Many Exposed to Asbestos Omitted from EPA Evaluation

Bloomberg by Pat RizzutoWashington, DC – The EPA’s analysis of asbestos underestimates the extent to which people are exposed to the mineral and its potential to cause cancer and other diseases, an agency science advisory panel said. “Most exposures are not being captured,” said Henry Anderson, a retired physician serving on the EPA’s Science Advisory Committee on…

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Public Virtual Meeting to Peer Review EPA Draft Risk Evaluation for Asbestos

National – On June 8-11, 2020, EPA will hold a public virtual meeting of the TSCA Science Advisory Committee on Chemicals on the draft risk evaluation of asbestos (originally scheduled for April 27-30, 2020). The agency will use the scientific advice, information, and recommendations from the SACC, as well as public comments, to inform the…

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Experts and Other Advocates Speak Out Against EPA’s Flawed Draft Asbestos Risk Assessment

ADAOWashington, DC – The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization hosted a press conference on Thursday, featuring a panel of experts, including EIA Managing Director Brent Kynoch, to discuss the exclusions in EPA’s Draft Asbestos Risk Evaluation that will keep Americans at severe risk of deadly exposure to asbestos. The panel also featured Dr. Arthur Frank, Dr. Richard…

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EPA Has Rescheduled the SACC Peer Review of the Draft Risk Evaluation for Asbestos

National – On June 8-11, 2020, EPA will hold a public virtual meeting of the TSCA Science Advisory Committee on Chemicals on the draft risk evaluation of asbestos (originally scheduled for April 27-30, 2020). The agency will use the scientific advice, information, and recommendations from the SACC, as well as public comments, to inform the final…

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US Department of Labor Issues Guidance to Ensure Uniform Enforcement of Silica Standards

Washington, DC – OSHA recently issued a compliance directive designed to ensure uniformity in inspection and enforcement procedures when addressing respirable crystalline silica exposures in general industry, maritime, and construction. The new directive provides OSHA compliance safety and health officers with guidance on how to enforce the silica standards’ requirements. The directive also provides clarity on major topics, such…

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EPA ANNOUNCES TERMINATION OF COVID-19 ENFORCEMENT DISCRETION

EPA Washington, DC – Businesses and others that suspended environmental monitoring and reporting during the Coronavirus pandemic should plan to resume those activities as of September 1, 2020. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced recently that its temporary policy regarding the exercise of enforcement discretion during the COVID?19 public health emergency will end on…

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OSHA: Surgical Masks Not a Replacement for Respirators in Non-Covid-19 Respiratory Hazards

EHS Daily Advisor by Guy BurdickNational – Exceptions from respiratory protection regulations allowing the use of surgical masks only apply to healthcare facilities and emergency medical services, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reminded employers. Other employers must provide respirators, the agency explained in guidance discussing the differences among cloth face coverings, surgical masks, and…

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