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The article offers information on the U.S. Occupational Safety & Health Administration's (OSHA) top 10 most cited violations from October 1, 2008 to September 30, 2009. It cites that the number 1 violation is on the standards on scaffolding. The top 5 sections cited for the violations on scaffolding includes the failure to have fall protection and tolerable platform construction. The third most violation is on hazard communication, while the standard on respiratory protection is the fourth.

Criticizes Occupational Safety and Health Administration for its delay in resolving major issues pertaining to permissible exposure limits (PEL) for hazardous chemicals. History of PEL legislation; Priority-setting; Risk assessment; Determination of significant risk. INSETS: The top 20: OSHA's candidates for proposed..;Feedback..

The article offers information on the revised hazard alert warning issued by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) on September 22, 2011 that will alert hair salon owners and workers regarding the potential risks of formaldehyde exposure.

The article reports that Integrated Risk Information System of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been added on the list of programs at high risk of waste, fraud, abuse, and mismanagement by the Government Accountability Office (GAO). The process for assessing and controlling toxic chemicals is listed because it was at serious risk of becoming obsolete. Moreover, GAO emphasizes that EPA needs to streamline and increase the transparency of the assessment process.

Interviews John Czerniak, a senior safety consultant with the United States National Safety Council, on the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's Hazard Communication (HazCom) Standard. Intent of the HazCom standard; Features of a written HazCom plan; List of all the hazardous chemicals in the workplace; Need for a Material Safety Data Sheet.

The article reports on the proposal by the U.S. Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) to significantly reduce its permissible exposure limit (PEL) for beryllium to one-tenth of the existing level. OSHA administrator David Michaels, refers to the rule as a long overdue move toward improving workers' protection from harmful beryllium exposures. It mentions that United Steelworkers of America union and material manufacturer Materion Corp. helped in making the rule's framework.

Focuses on the revised Permissible Exposure Limits (PEL) by the United States Environmental Protection Agency for a large number of harmful substances. Issue over the rulemaking process; What could cause industry's lack of excitement about the rule; Why industry invites the PEL update.

Reports that the United States Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission upheld an Occupational Safety and Health Administration citation against Albemarle Corp. of Pasadena, Texas for failing to provide adequate training to ensure safe handling of hazardous chemicals. Written procedures for removal of chemicals; Lack of unwritten guidelines.

Focuses on two rules from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) which would affect companies' report releases of extremely hazardous substances. Chemicals removed from the list of extremely hazardous substances; EPA contact information.

Reports on the highlights of the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) updated hazardous-communications standard which protects 32 million workers and covers 650,000 dangerous chemicals. Efforts to making Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) available; Filing of MSDSs for pharmaceuticals; Elimination of nuisance particulates; Nonmandatory appendix.

Reports on the enforcement directive on emergency response operations for hazardous substance releases issued by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Requirements under the directive; Legal requirements of the toxic waste clean-up program of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

The article reports that U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has re-launched Local Emphasis Program to target employers in Nebraska that use hazardous chemicals such as formaldehyde or methylene chloride and mentions the program aims to educate employers on chemical hazards.

The article reports on the announcement by the Department of Transportation on October 20, 2009 on the 20.9 million dollars award in grants for the improvement of emergency response to transportation incidents related to hazardous materials. It notes that the grant money is to aid responders during incidents on hazardous materials and for the safety challenges laid by new chemicals and alternative energy products. It also notes that the funds are from the user fees by shippers and carriers.

The article provides information on the proposed rule by the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, which intends to narrow the list of hazardous materials that can be transformed and set forth a rigorous security planning and personnel training.

Focuses on Ontario government's decision to update exposure limits for hazardous chemicals in the workplace. Recommendations of the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists; Restriction of the amount and duration of workers' exposure to hazardous chemical substances.

Reports on the possible removal of phosphoric acid from the list of chemicals under the United States Environmental Protection Agency's Toxic Release Inventory program following a court battle initiated by the Fertilizer Institute. Court ruling reversing the agency's decision to keep the chemical in the list.

Reports that the public comment period has ended on an Australian draft standard and code of practice for the storage and handling of dangerous goods. National Occupational Health and Safety Commission's offer of a series of free public seminars designed to show the effects of the draft standard and code; Debate over the move from prescriptive to performance-based legislation.

Provides information on rules for emergencies that involve chemicals or other hazardous substances issued by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Reason for the issues of these rules; Comments from Charles Jeffress, assistant secretary of labor for OSHA.

Reports on the US Occupational Safety & Health Administration's (OSHA) plan to add the US Environmental Protection Agency's list of highly hazardous chemicals to its list. Substances the OSHA is planning to add; OSHA's plan to change its process-safety management standard.

Offers advice from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration concerning companies' protection from hazardous substances in line with the administration's lock out tag out program. Includes authorizing employees to lock out or tag out machines or equipment; Awareness of employees concerning the lock out tag out program; List of tools for the program.

Reports that the European Commission has made amendments to its 1990 Carcinogens Directive. Scope of changes; Implications of the amendment; Standard for benzene exposure.

Reports on the task facing the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) of updating permissible exposure levels (PEL) for toxic substances. Identification of 20 substances for revised PEL; Criticism from union and industry representatives regarding the move.

Reports on the proposed expansion of the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI), a data base of chemicals that have adverse effects on people or the environment, by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Acute health, carcinogenicity and environmental effects of the chemicals; Reporting of the release of toxic chemicals by companies; Second phase of the TRI expansion.

Reports on the European Community countries' directive to conform standards for equipment used in explosive atmospheres. Standards on safety requirements; Procedure for certification of safe product.