Regulations & Compliance

What exactly does the new Occupational Exposure to Respirable Crystalline Silica final rule mean for employers in terms of training? Who must be trained? On what precisely? We’ll break it down for you here, and answer the most commonly asked questions. Under the new rule, what do employees need to be trained on?  First of […]

President Obama has issued a proclamation declaring today, April 28, Worker’s Memorial Day in the United States, and calling “upon all Americans to participate in ceremonies and activities in memory of those killed or injured due to unsafe working conditions.” OSHA, the AFL-CIO, NIOSH and other organizations are also preparing to observe the occasion. According […]

As industry experts begin to analyze the new  1700+ page respirable crystalline silica PEL rule released by OSHA late last week, it’s becoming clear that the expansive nature of the rule will result in new responsibilities for workplaces. Two of the largest involve revised safety data sheets (SDSs) and required workplace signage. The new rule […]

Despite the political brinksmanship in Washington during this election year, Congress is close to sending a bill to the President’s desk that would strengthen the provisions of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) and give the EPA greater authority to identify and regulate hazardous chemicals. Last June, the TSCA Modernization Act of 2015 (H.R. 2576) […]

Today, in a decision sure to send waves throughout the EHS space, OSHA published a long-awaited final rule strengthening permissible exposure limits (PELs) for respirable crystalline silica. The announcement comes on the heels of a March 21 approval by the OMB Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, and after an almost 3 year rulemaking and public […]

A guest blog post by Meghan White, Senior Implementation Consultant at VelocityEHS. On World Water Day – today – I reflect on a topic that initially peaked my interest years ago, ISO Standard 14046: 2014 “Environmental Management – Water Footprint – Principles, Requirements and Guidelines.” Almost two years post publication, how relevant is the standard […]

VelocityEHS is reminding chemical end users to file Tier II Hazardous Chemical Inventory Reports by the March 1, 2016 deadline. Any facility with hazardous materials present at or above threshold amounts established by EPA may be subject to reporting obligations. Visit our blog to learn more about how the VelocityEHS chemical management solution, streamlines the […]

OSHA has released a new guide intended to help businesses accurately identify and classify hazards associated with their chemicals, as required by HazCom 2012. The guide—Hazard Classification Guidance for Manufacturers, Importers, and Employers—is available for free on OSHA’s website. It provides review of the classification requirements under GHS, provides expanded definitions and distinctions, and also […]

Late last month, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit denied a challenge brought by the coal industry against the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) and its recent final rule on coal dust regulation. The new rule,(75 FR 64412) Lowering Miners’ Exposure to Respirable Coal Mine Dust, Including Continuous Personal Dust Monitors, […]

As we move toward full adoption of GHS in the United States, OSHA continues to issue letters of interpretation (LOI) to clear up grey areas and answer questions posed by stakeholders. VelocityEHS regularly provides updates on these letters, and gives readers actionable information that companies can use to prepare for new guidance in enforcement policy […]