Federal Communications

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• ASSE Urges Withdrawal of OSHA Direct Final Rule to Update OSHA Standards Based on
  National Consensus Standards (1/14/08) In a January 14 comment, ASSE has urged OSHA to withdraw its December 14, 2007, Direct. Final Rule Updating OSHA Consensus Standards Based on National Consensus Standards. The proposed amendments aim to eliminate “outdated consensus standards that have requirements that duplicate, or are comparable to, the requirements specified by other OSHA rules.” This includes a specific reference to the ANSI/ASSE A10.3 standard. ASSE is concerned that this rulemaking goes beyond the stated purpose and fails to meet the Congressional mandate that federal agencies reference voluntary consensus standards. As such, the amendments are inappropriate and, if adopted, would significantly impact the standards’ effectiveness in protecting workers from occupational safety and health risks. In it’s comment, ASSE also recognizes the statement of the Powder Actuated Tool Manufacturers' Institute (PATMI) backing ASSE’s objection to eliminating the A10.3 reference.
• ASSE Testifies at OSHA PPE Public Hearing and OSHA Publishes PPE Direct Final Rule (12/4/07)
  ASSE’s Federal Representative, Adele Abarms, Esq., testified for ASSE at OSHA’s December 4 public hearing on proposed rulemaking to update its PPE standard based on national consensus standards. OSHA's May 17, 2007, Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Updating OSHA Standards Based on National Consensus Standards; Personal Protective Equipment can be found by clicking here.

• ASSE Comments on CDC Draft Plan for NIOSH (11/30/07)
  ASSE provided detailed comments on a CDC draft of its Action Plan for Healthy Workplaces. ASSE commended CDC for recognizing the framework of the National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA) to structure the goals for NIOSH in the plan but made various suggestions in how to better focus NIOSH's efforts on the need for research and training funding in safety to meet employers' needs for research in advancing safety and appropriately trained safety professionals.
  

• ASSE Urges OSHA Participation on Z15 Committee (9/21/07)

  In a letter to Assistant Secretary Ed Foulke, ASSE urged OSHA participation on the ANSI Standard Committee for Z15, "Safe Practices for Motor Vehicle Fleet Operations."

• ASSE Comments on Major Mining Legislation Before Congress (9/19/07)
  ASSE has commented on the two key mine safety bills now under consideration in the US House of Representatives.  Mark up of the bills by the House Committee on Labor and Education is excepted in October.  The bills seek to build on safety provisions of the MINER Act passed by Congress last year.  The comments were developed by the Government Affairs Committee based on the insight of leaders in ASSE's Mine Practice Specialty.  While ASSE takes positions on a variety of specific issues aimed to improve mine safety, rescue and emergency response, it also suggests that, based on the risks that have come to light in recent mine tragedies, the time has come for an overall safety analysis of the mine industry to identify the most dangers risks so the focus of mine owners, the resources of MSHA and NIOSH and Congressional efforts can be targeted to the most dangerous risks first.
  
            • Side-by-Side Comparison of the Mine Safety Bills (doc)
• ASSE Supports CSB in Appropriations (9/13/07)
  ASSE sent letters to Senate appropriations leaders in support of higher FY '08 appropriations amounts for the US Chemical Safety and Hazard Recognition Board (CSB). A similar letter was sent to Representative Norman D. Dicks, Chairman, and Representative Todd Tiahrt, Ranking Member, of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment and Related Agencies.
• TB Fit Testing Amendment (7/17/07)
• Amendment to Labor, HHS, and Education Appropriations Bill, 2008 (7/17/07)
• ASSE on OSHA's Updating of National Consensus Standards for PPE
  ASSE provides suggestions on ways to improve OSHA's proposal to update its PPE standard with national voluntary consensus standards and urges inclusion of ANSI/ASSE Z359 Fall Arrest Code (7/16/07)
• TB Respirator Amendment 2007 (7/09/07)
  • Respirator Letter to D. Obey and J. Lewis (7/10/07)
  • TB AIHA Appropriation Letter 2005 (4/29/05)
• Support for HR 2693 Emergency OSHA Diacetyl Standard (6/19/07)
• ASSE Supports OSHA, NIOSH and MSHA Proposed House Funding Levels
  The US House Appropriations Committee was scheduled to meet on June 14 to mark up the FY 2008 appropriations for OSHA, NIOSH and MSHA. The hearing was postponed, but ASSE took the opportunity to express support for funding levels adopted in the June 7 mark up of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Labor and Related Agencies the previous wekk. (6/13/07)
• ASSE Comments on NIOSH Roadmap for Asbestos Research (5/31/07)
• House Testimony on Public Sector OSH Coverage (5/24/07)
• Before the Senate HELP Committee’s Subcommittee on Employment and Workplace Safety, ASSE helps answer the question, “Does OSHA Work for Working People?” – (4/26/07)
• ASSE shares the views of its Environmental Practice Specialty on lead work rules in comments to EPA on Lead Renovation, Repair, and Painting Program rulemaking. (4/16/07)
• Letter to Assistant Secretary for OSHA Edwin Foulke, Jr., urging urging OSHA to update its Standard on Occupational Noise Exposure by lowering the PEL to 85 dBA TWA and adopting a 3 dB exchange rate in an updated standard. (4/02/07)
• Letter to Steve Witt, Director of OSHA's Directorate of Construction, urging consideration of recent developments in the ANSI/ASSE A10 Construction and Demolition Standard. (4/02/07)
• Letter to Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao recommending Don Jones, current Society President, to membership on NACOSH. (3/9/07)
• ASSE nominates ASSE member Jan Thomas to membership on ACCSH. (2/22/07)
• ASSE urges reappointment of Mike Hayslip, current ASSE Board member, to membership on ACCSH. (2/22/07)
• Letter to NIOSH Director John Howard expressing ASSE's support intramural NIOSH funding to support a proposed research project proposal to integrate Prevention through Design through various NIOSH activities. (2/20/07)
• On representative Charlie Norwood's passing, ASSE letter to his family expressing Society's appreciation for his meaningful commitment to advancing occupational safety and health issues in Congress. (2/14/07)
• ASSE offers various changes focused on updated standards for inclusion in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ (USACE) updated Manual No. 385-1-1, “Safety - Safety and Health Requirements.” (12/21/06)
• ASSE offers testimony in support of occupational safety and health coverage for public sector workers at CSB public meeting on investigation into Bethune Point Wastewater Plan Explosion in Daytona Beach, Florida. (12/14/06)
• ASSE provides detailed comments on OSHA's Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on global harmonization of hazard communications (GHS). (11/10/06)
• ASSE urges EPA to amend its draft brochure on asbestos brake/clutch work best practices to ensure that workers understand that OSHA regulations govern such work in employment settings. (10/27/06)
• ASSE urges CSB to include in its Five Year Plan increased support for staff and Board pursuit of volunteer safety and health professional certifications from BCSP and ABIH. (10/5/06)
• ASSE urges NIOSH to include representatives from ANSI safety and health standards committees in NORA Research Councils. (7/21/06)
• Comments on OSHA Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) (2/20/07)
• ASSE urges NIOSH to involve the officers of relevant ASSE/ANSI voluntary consensus standard committeees who have volunteered to participate in NORA Research Councils. (7/21/06)
• ASSE Supports Hayslip for Reappointment to ACCSH (7/11/06)
• ASSE urges halt to DOE merger of safety and health into nuclear safety (6/8/06)
• ASSE shares ideas for moving OSHA into the future as new Assistant Secretary Ed Foulke is sworn in May 24 (5/22/06)
• Mining Practice Specialty Administrator Mike Neason provides ASSE comments on MSHA request for information on underground mine resecure equipment and technology. (3/22/06)
• ASSE provides answers to questions raised by Senators Enzi and Kennedy following March 2 testimony on mine safety before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions. (3/17/06)
• ASSE Board Member Mike Thompson provides ASSE views on the need for safety and health research at NIOSH's NORA National Town Hall Meeting (3/13/06)
• ASSE Statement US Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions on the state of mine safety and health given by Mike Neason, Adminstrator of ASSE's Mining Practice Specialty (3/2/06)
• ASSE expresses objection to HHS for keeping NIOSH from Congressional roundtable on mine safety. (2/23/06)
• ASSE calls for end to Impersonation of OSHA Personnel by ICE Agents (2/14/06)
• ASSE Supports Administration Appointments to Lead OSHA and MSHA (1/27/06)
• ASSE offers comments on OMB efforts to address guidance documents from federal agencies. (1/11/06)
• ASSE Offers its Construction Practice Specialty's Views on Safety and Health Research Needs at Chicago NORA Town Hall Meeting (12/19/05)
• ASSE Offers Direction for NORA's Second Decade at Maryland NORA Town Hall Meeting (12/5/05)
• ASSE lets OSHA know of approval by ANSI of ANSI Standard A10.34-2001(R2005) Protection of the Public on or Adjacent to Construction Sites (12/1/05)
• ASSE Supports Occupational Safety and Health Provisions of Hurricane Regulatory Relief Act (11/28/05)
• Support for Hurricane Regulatory Relief Act of 2005 (11/28/05)
• ASSE Comments on MSHA Drug Free Workplace Rulemaking (11/23/05)
• ASSE support for "Katrina Worker Safety and Filing Flexibility Act of 2005" (10/7/05)
• ASSE calls for OSH coverage for state/local workers, need made more apparent in wake of Katrina disaster. (9/26/05)
• ASSE Objects to Administration's Failure to Appoint OSHA and MSHA Leaders for 8 Months (8/16/05)
• Comment on Proposed Rule Concerning Occupational Exposure to Hexavalent Chromium (12/29/04)
• ASSE shares with OSHA position statement on adopting voluntary consensus standards (12/27/04)
• Support for Stew Burkhammer as Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA (12/7/04)
• Support for NIOSH Fall Protection Research (12/7/04)
• ASSE Comments on Federal Acquisition MSDS Rulemaking (12/2/04)
• Slip Resistance of Walking Surfaces on Coated Structural Steel (10/11/04)
• Recommendation of Gene Barfield as Member of NOSAC (9/27/04)
• ASSE Argues for NIOSH Independence(9/27/04)
• ASSE Supports proposed VPP for Construction (8/31/04)
• Comment on Employer Payment for Personal Protective Equipment (8/23/04)
• Impersonation of OSHA Personnel in Immigration Enforcement (8/16/04)
• Commending NIOSH Director John Howard for Participation in Hispanic Safety and Health Summit (7/29/04)
• Commending OSHA Assistant Secretary Henshaw for Hispanic Safety and Health Summit Leadership (7/29/04)
• Impact of Appropriations Decisions on Occupational Safety and Health (7/12/04)
• ASSE opposes CDC plans for NIOSH reorganization (6/17/04)
• ASSE Comment on OSHA General Industry Electrical Installation Standard (6/3/04)
• ASSE Supports CSB FY '05 Budget Request in US Senate (6/1/04)
• ASSE Supports CSB FY '05 Budget Request in US House of Representatives (6/1/04)
• ASSE Comments on Draft OSHA Guidance Documents Concerning Hazard Communication Standard (5/17/04)
• ASSE Recommends Members for NIOSH Board of Scientific Counselors (5/10/04)
• ASSE Shares Views on Advancing Ergonomics with National Advisory Committee on Ergonomics (5/1/04)
• ASSE Comments on FY '05 Federal Safety Agency Appropriations in US Senate (4/23/04)
• ASSE Comments on FY '05 Federal Safety Agency Appropriation US House of Representatives (4/23/04)
• ASSE Supports Appointment of Gary Visscher to CSB (4/6/04)
• ASSE Provides OSHA Views on How to Improve Oversight of Reactive Chemicals (4/5/04)
• ASSE Statement to Senate HELP Subcommittee on Employment, Safety and Training on Hazard Communication in the Workplace (3/25/04)
• Opportunities for Cooperation Between OSHA and ASSE on Motor Vehicle Safety Issues (3/19/04)
• Z359 letter / Z117 letter (pdf format) (2/10/04)
• ASSE Nominates Emory Knowles to NACOSH (1/5/04)