Month: April 2019

DOT Publishes Drug Testing Rule

Posted on by McCraren Compliance

Today, April 23, 2019, the Department of Transportation (DOT) published a final rule that makes minor technical corrections to the OST, FAA, FTA, and PHMSA regulations governing drug testing for safety-sensitive employees to ensure consistency with the recent amendments made to the Department of Transportation’s regulation, “Procedures for Transportation Workplace Drug and Alcohol Testing Programs,” which added requirements to test for oxycodone, oxymorphone, hydrocodone, and hydromorphone to DOT-regulated drug testing programs.  The changes to the Department’s regulation make it necessary to refer to these substances, as well as the previously covered drugs morphine, 6-acetylmorphine, and codeine, by the more inclusive term “opioids,” rather than “opiates.”  This rule amends the term in the FAA, FTA, and PHMSA regulations to ensure that all DOT drug testing rules are consistent with one another and with the Mandatory Guidelines for Federal Workplace Drug Testing Programs.  In addition, this rule makes a conforming amendment to include the term “opioids” in the wording of the Department’s annual information collection requirement and clarifications to section 40.26 and Appendix H regarding the requirement for employers to follow the Department’s instructions for the annual information collection.

To learn more about this final rule, visit their web page athttps://www.transportation.gov/odapc/frpubs.

Taseko’s Florence Copper Project Produces First Copper

Posted on by McCraren Compliance

Florence Copper is pleased to announce that Florence Copper’s Production Test Facility is fully operational, from the wellfield to the SX/EW plant, and producing copper.

Over the past three months approximately 1.5 million tons of copper ore has been contacted underground with leach solution. Copper concentrations in the solution has recently risen to levels which have allowed the SX/EW plant to begin operation and produce copper. Read more

U.S. Department of Labor to Hold Meeting to Solicit Public Input On OSH Act Whistleblower Protection Provision

Posted on by McCraren Compliance

OSHA will hold a meeting May 14, 2019, in Washington, D.C., to solicit public comments and suggestions from stakeholders on issues relating to whistleblower protection under Section 11(c) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act.

This is the third in a series of meetings at which OSHA is seeking public input on how it can improve whistleblower customer service, and enhance public understanding of the whistleblower laws. Continue reading»

The FMCSA Wants Your Input on the Need for the DOT Employment Application

Posted on by McCraren Compliance

The FMCSA has released an official notice proposing to completely eliminate the requirement that trucking companies obtain a DOT-specific employment application. If implemented as proposed, this will radically affect your hiring practices and make it more difficult for you to hire drivers. We’ve been following the FMCSA’s activities on this proposal since it was first mentioned last year. The FMCSA regulators are now at the point in the rulemaking process where they want to hear how the proposal will affect actual trucking companies. That is, they want to hear from you.

The FMCSA has asked specific questions directed to carriers in the industry on how the proposed changes will affect hiring drivers. Read on for more information and our suggestions of how best to address these questions. This is a valuable opportunity to give your feedback on an issue that will impact you significantly – you can do so at this link.

To see the specific notice by the FMCSA and the additional questions they’ve posed, you can read more at their website

Sixth Annual National Fall Stand-Down Begins May 6

Posted on by McCraren Compliance

The 6th annual National Safety Stand-Down to prevent falls will take place the week of May 6-10, 2019. The Stand-Down was conceived by OSHA in 2014 as part of the National Falls Campaign to raise awareness surrounding the severity of fall hazards in construction and the importance of preventing them. It’s an opportunity for employers to pause work and have a conversation with workers about fall hazards, protective methods, and the company’s safety policies, goals and expectations.  This should also be an opportunity for workers to talk to management about any fall hazards they see.

Want more information on what the Stand-Down is and why you should participate? Check out our About the Stand-Down page and video. Need posters, training materials, free hard hat stickers or worker handouts? Visit our One-Stop Stand-Down Shop for everything you need to conduct your own stand-down.

New resources for 2019 include:

  • A Written Fall Protection & Rescue Plan – Developing and implementing a detailed fall protection plan is essential to protect all workers at risk for a fall. Click here to use any and all sections that are applicable to your jobsite(s).
  • The 2019 5-Day Stand-Down Plan – Not sure where to get started? Follow our 5-Day plan to participate all week long, or simply handpick a few daily activities from the list.
  • A Social Media Guide – Want to promote the Stand-Down with your members or constituents? Check out the suggested social media posts in our 2019 Stand-Down Social Media Guide.
  • New Infographics – A whole series of falls-related CPWR-NIOSH cobranded infographics is available, with 4 new topics for 2019: Have a Rescue Plan to Prevent Suspension Trauma, The Right Length Lanyard Will Protect Workers In A Fall, Fatal Falls Highest in Construction, and a Snapshot of Fatal Falls in Construction.
  • New Video – Safe Ladder Practices in Roofing was developed by the Roofing r2p Partnership (National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) and the United Union of Roofers and Waterproofers & Allied Workers, and CPWR) and focuses on ladder safety during roofing work and how the free NIOSH ladder safety app can help.