Topic Listings

Oregon Passes Toxic-Free Kid's Act

The Oregon legislature has passed the Toxic-Free Kids Act which will establish a list of 66 chemicals of concern, require registration of children's products and the phase out of listed chemicals in certain applications.  The definition of children’s products does include children’s clothing and …

OSHA Sends Draft Final Rule to OMB for Review

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s draft final rule on walking-working surfaces has been submitted for review to the White House Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs. The rule was submitted on July 2nd and it is anticipated that the review will take no more than 90 days. OSHA …

TSCA Legislation Passes US House of Representatives

On June 23rd, the US House of Representatives passed the TSCA Modernization Act of 2015 (H.R. 2576) a historic milestone in the effort to reform the nation’s chemical control law on two levels. This vote is the first ever by the entire House chamber on Toxic Substances Control Act reform, but it is also …

Severe Weather - Be Aware & Be Prepared!

The best time to prepare for an accident or emergency is before one happens. With the recent severe weather across the nation, hurricanes, flash floods, tornadoes, and fires, are forcing people to evacuate their homes and workplace sometimes without warning and when they least expect it. It may be time …

OSHA Issues Compliance Directive on Combustible Dust

In a continued effort toward combustible dust enforcement, OSHA has issued a guidance memo, dated April 21, 2015, which specifically addresses how a compliance officer is to evaluate the hazardous level of accumulation depth for combustible dusts with bulk densities of less than 75 lb/ft3 present at …

OSHA Issues Letters of Interpretation on Recordkeeping/Reporting Rule

OSHA has issued five new letters of interpretation dealing with issues surrounding the new injury reporting and recordkeeping rules that were released May 12. The letters cover topics of reporting requirements for workers injured while commuting and on business travel and whether teeth knocked out in …

EU Chemicals Agency Calls for Information on Phthalates

The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has issued a call for evidence on four phthalates:  DEHP, BBP, DBP and DIBP.  These four substances are already subject to a usage ban in the EU under REACH.  In the call for evidence, ECHA is considering a general restriction on these substances, which …

Federal Prison Industries Reform Legislation Introduced

Rep. Bill Huizenga (R-MI) has introduced H.R. 1699, Federal Prison Industries Competition in Contracting Act of 2015.  The bill was referred to the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security and Investigations.  The legislation would require Federal Prison Industries …

Senate Committee Marks Up TSCA Legislation

On April 28th, the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee marked up S. 697, Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act by a vote of 15-5. The House Energy & Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Environment & the Economy is planning to markup its TSCA discussion draft …

SGIA Takes Action