National Association Of Safety Professionals

Update on Proposed Speed-Limiting Rule for Heavy Trucks The Department of Transportation has delayed the proposed rule requiring speed-limiting devices on heavy trucks once again. As per the Spring 2024 regulatory agenda, the target publication date is now May 2024. Here’s a quick rundown: • May 2022: FMCSA introduced an advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM) to mandate speed limiters on vehicles over 26,000 pounds. • 2016 Proposal: The proposal suggested capping speeds at 60, 65, or 68 mph, but the latest ANPRM doesn't specify a top speed. • Public Feedback: Nearly 16,000 comments were submitted, providing insights on current usage, maximum speed settings, and training needs for maintenance personnel. Key considerations: • Legislation Watch: Bills in the House (H.R. 3039) and Senate (S. 2671) aim to prohibit FMCSA from mandating these devices. • Next Steps: The new target date for the proposed rule publication is May 2024. Stay informed on these developments, as they could significantly impact the commercial motor vehicle industry. #TruckSafety #DOTUpdates #FMCSA #NASP

Important Update from the EPA! The Environmental Protection Agency has released a comprehensive guide to help industries comply with its new ban on most uses of methylene chloride. Effective April 30, the EPA's final rule will phase out consumer use of this carcinogenic chemical within one year and ban most industrial and commercial uses within two years. Methylene chloride, commonly found in products like paint strippers, cleaners, and adhesives, has been linked to 88 worker deaths since 1980, often during home renovations. Key deadlines: • May 5, 2025: Employers must measure initial inhalation exposure levels. • Aug. 1, 2025: Employers must ensure exposure levels comply with EPA limits and provide necessary PPE. • Oct. 30, 2025: Employers must implement an exposure control plan. • Periodic Monitoring: Every three months, six months, or five years, based on initial exposure levels. Certain essential uses of methylene chloride in industries such as plastic manufacturing and laboratory chemical applications will still be permitted, provided safety measures are met. Understanding and adhering to these regulations is crucial for preventing injuries, long-term illnesses, and fatalities. Stay informed and compliant to ensure workplace safety! #EPAGuidelines #WorkplaceSafety #ChemicalSafety #NASP

Attention All Mining Professionals! The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is now accepting applications for over $10.5 million in state grants dedicated to safety and health training for miners. Eligible applicants include state, tribal, and territorial governments in areas where coal, metal, and nonmetal mining occur. MSHA will cover up to 80% of program costs, with recipients responsible for at least 20%. MSHA head Chris Williamson emphasizes, “The State Grants program is crucial for protecting miners’ health and safety, especially in educating about silica hazards and exercising their rights to minimize risks.” Don’t miss the deadline to apply by August 20! Grants will be awarded by September 30. Stay safe and informed! #MiningSafety #MSHA #NASP #HealthAndSafetyTraining

Exciting News from the Virginia Tech Helmet Lab! The renowned lab, famous for its groundbreaking football helmet ratings system, is expanding its expertise beyond sports. Over the next 18 months, they’ll develop the first-ever safety helmet ratings system for worksites, using their trusted five-star scale. The study will focus on head impact and concussion risks in construction, analyzing incident reports and surveillance videos. The goal? To enhance head protection and reduce fatalities in the construction industry. Why is this important? In 2020 alone, there were 1,008 construction fatalities. Improved helmet safety could save lives. Stay tuned for the release of the ratings data on the lab’s website once the study is complete. Let’s make safety a priority! #WorkplaceSafety #HelmetSafety #ConstructionSafety #NASP

We had an incredible time hosting our LOTO Train-the-Trainer class last Thursday and Friday, filled with enthusiastic and dedicated students! Over the two days, we covered in detail the standard (including Letters of Interpretation) and discussed the interrelation between LOTO, machine guarding, and NFPA 70E. Missed out? Don't worry! Our final LOTO class for 2024 is happening on November 6-7 in Wilmington, NC. This is your last chance to get your LOTO training done before the year ends. Seats are filling up fast, so secure your spot today! 👉 Register here: https://lnkd.in/eQAnZbc5

🌟 Success with Four-Day Workweeks! 🌟 Exciting news from Cambridge, England! A recent trial of four-day workweeks at a municipal government office shows impressive results. Researchers from the University of Cambridge and the University of Salford studied the South Cambridgeshire Council's 15-month trial, where workers' pay remained unchanged. The outcome? 22 out of 24 key performance indicators (KPIs) improved or stayed the same! Highlights include improvements in: Percentage of calls answered by the council’s Contact Center. Percentage of complaints responded to within the prescribed time period. Percentage of emergency repairs to council homes completed within 24 hours. Major planning application decisions made on time. Smaller planning application decisions made on time. Invoices paid by the council within 30 days. “These results are supportive of moves to reduce the length of the working week but are not a surprise,” said Brendan Burchell, a sociology professor at Cambridge. He added, “In the past two years, other researchers have studied many private sector employers in the UK and elsewhere that also reported the company’s performance was maintained after a 20% reduction in hours of work. Employees and managers can find better ways of doing things to work more efficiently, given the right guidance and motivation.” What are your thoughts on a 4-day workweek? #FourDayWorkWeek #Efficiency #WorkLifeBalance #CambridgeStudy #MunicipalGovernment #WorkplaceInnovation #NASP

🌿 Strengthening Worker Protections with EPA Updates 🌿 Exciting updates from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on new chemical reviews under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) are set to bolster worker protections! Michal Freedhoff, Assistant Administrator of the EPA Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention, announced these changes during a June 26 conference on TSCA reform. Key updates include: Regulatory language requires workers, contractors, and their representatives to access manufacturers’ consent orders post-risk determination on new chemicals. These orders, filled with crucial safety info, ensure manufacturing proceeds only under conditions that protect human health and the environment. Mandatory inclusion of written hazard communication programs, labeling, Safety Data Sheets, and employee information and training in consent orders. “No one should have to go to work and worry about how the chemicals they use might affect their health,” said Freedhoff. “Knowledge is power; sure, it’s a cliché, but it’s a cliché because it’s true. Workers will be far better able to protect themselves if they’re empowered with knowledge and training. And for employers, this will help them continue to make worker safety their top priority.” The TSCA, amended by the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act in 2016, mandates the EPA to address chemical risks within a year of a chemical review release. This includes actions like training, certification, restricted access, or even commercial use bans, followed by a public comment period. Freedhoff highlighted the progress since 2021, including finalizing bans on asbestos and methylene chloride, carcinogenic substances. “Writing a rule to manage how a chemical is used is a big task. We take our statutory deadlines seriously, but we’re also serious about our obligations to write rules that protect people and support a robust economy.” These strides in public health protection and chemical safety evaluation mark significant progress, though challenges remain. How these challenges are addressed will shape the future effectiveness of TSCA. #EPASafety #ChemicalSafety #WorkerProtection #TSCA #PublicHealth #EnvironmentalProtection #NASP

🛑 Protecting Miners from Silica Exposure 🛑 The legislative attempt to block federal enforcement of a rule designed to protect miners from silica exposure is “morally reprehensible,” says Cecil Roberts, President of the United Mine Workers of America. Included in the House Appropriation Committee's Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill, this provision, released on June 26, aims to halt the enforcement of MSHA’s silica rule. Despite this, the bill passed a 31-25 vote on July 10 and is now headed to the House floor. MSHA’s final rule, effective since June 17, reduces the permissible exposure limit for respirable crystalline silica to 50 micrograms per cubic meter of air over an 8-hour time-weighted average, aligning with OSHA's 2016 standard. This rule is projected to save nearly 1,100 lives and prevent over 3,700 cases of silica-related illnesses. However, the appropriations bill states that no funds will be used to enforce this crucial rule. Roberts calls this “dangerous provision” a “direct attack on the health and safety of coal miners.” Roberts further explains, “MSHA’s silica standard aims to reduce deadly silica dust in mines, which is crucial for combating the black lung disease epidemic. It is hard to understand how some members of Congress support more miners dying from this preventable disease.” Rep. Robert Aderholt (R-AL) defends the bill, stating, “The federal spending is out of control. While most growth in spending is mandatory, it is our responsibility to manage appropriations effectively.” Vonda Robinson, Vice President of the National Black Lung Association, also voices her opposition: “Miners with black lung have fought for protections from silica dust for years. It’s disheartening to see Washington politicians try to undo this progress. If this policy becomes law, it will endanger countless miners. Mining families deserve better.” #ProtectMiners #SilicaSafety #MSHA #HealthAndSafety #UnitedMineWorkers #NASP

🚨 New Safety Rule Alert! 🚨 Starting July 24, railroads must "proactively provide" real-time electronic information about hazardous material shipments to 911 call centers and emergency responder apps as soon as they become aware of an incident. This new rule, published by the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), ensures that: Firefighters and first responders have immediate access to the type, quantity, and position of hazardous materials on a train. Railroads generate real-time info in both hard-copy and electronic formats, including emergency response details and designated emergency contacts. "In a hazmat incident, firefighters and first responders arriving on the scene need to know what kind of hazardous materials are present so they can protect themselves and their communities," said Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, reflecting on the critical need for this information. This rule is in response to incidents like the February 2023 train derailment in East Palestine, OH. Additionally, PHMSA has distributed its 2024 Emergency Response Guidebook to nearly 2 million first responders nationwide to enhance their preparedness. #SafetyFirst #EmergencyResponse #RailroadSafety #Hazmat #PHMSA #NASP

NASP would like to congratulate the safety professionals who have recently earned their Master Safety Professional (MSP)® and Certified Safety Director (CSD)® certifications. The journey to certification is no easy feat. It requires extensive knowledge, practical skills, a deep understanding of safety regulations, and a passion for ensuring the well-being of all individuals within our organization. By obtaining these certifications, these safety professionals have demonstrated their unwavering dedication to maintaining the highest standards of safety and professionalism. To the newly certified Master Safety Professionals and Certified Safety Directors, we commend you for your outstanding accomplishment and applaud your dedication to advancing the safety field.