Washington — Employers who make “good faith efforts” to document their evaluations of crane operators have an additional 60 days to comply with OSHA’s Cranes and Derricks in Construction: Operator Certification Extension, according to a Feb. 7 enforcement memorandum from the agency.

It has taken many years, but OSHA’s construction crane operator requirements are finalized and nearly in full effect.

Tumwater, WA — A new hazard alert from the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries outlines the roles, responsibilities and procedures of erecting and dismantling tower cranes.

Fairfax, VA — The National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators no longer will require a physical evaluation for workers to be eligible to take its certification exams. Instead, beginning Jan. 1, NCCCO will rely on employers to determine whether their workers are physically qualified to operate the equipment.

Washington — OSHA has issued a temporary enforcement policy for the construction industry after being informed by the Sanford, FL-based Crane Institute Certification that the organization no longer is accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency, as required under section 1926.1427(d) of OSHA’s Cranes and Derricks in Construction Standard.

Fairfax, VA — Virtual reality could provide a reliable measure in predicting a candidate’s ability to pass a crane certification exam, results of a recent study published by the National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators indicate.

Silver Spring, MD — A toolbox talk recently published by CPWR – The Center for Construction Research and Training features guidance on planning a safe lift with a crane.

Gaithersburg, MD — Using an equation they derived while studying the “motion of a so-called torsional pendulum,” researchers from the National Institute of Standards and Technology have found a “surprising link” between the equation and the work of crane operators on construction sites.

Oakland, CA — The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health – also known as Cal/OSHA – is reminding employers to protect workers from unhealthy air resulting from wildfire smoke.

Salem, OR — Extreme heat in the Pacific Northwest this summer has spurred Oregon OSHA to launch a Local Emphasis Program aimed at preventing heat-related illness.

Salem, OR — In response to “the extraordinary hazards that have been exacerbated by climate change,” Oregon OSHA has adopted a pair of emergency temporary rules that increase worker protections against wildfire smoke and high heat in employer-provided housing.

Oakland, CA — The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health is requesting nominations for members to serve on its recently established advisory committee focused on the safety and health of household domestic service workers.

Salem, OR — Oregon OSHA is seeking public comment on proposed rules that would increase worker protections against extreme heat and wildfire smoke, calling them “the strongest such protections in the nation.”

Salem, OR — Oregon OSHA has launched a free online training course on silica hazards for Spanish-speaking workers.

Salem, OR — Oregon OSHA has adopted permanent rules intended to safeguard workers from extreme heat and wildfire smoke, calling them “the most protective of their kind in the United States.”

Washington — A State Plan covering Massachusetts’ state and local government employees is a step closer to reality after OSHA recently published a proposed rule outlining its initial approval.

Washington — OSHA will reopen, for an additional 60 days, the comment period on its proposal to revoke Arizona’s State Plan status, the agency has announced.

Washington — A State Plan covering Massachusetts’ state and local government employees is now a reality after OSHA announced its initial approval.

Lansing, MI — Michigan OSHA has launched a state emphasis program aimed at identifying and reducing exposures to indoor and outdoor heat-related hazards.

Portland, OR — A recent study of residential construction supervisors in Oregon who received toolbox talks via text messages showed that their compliance with Oregon OSHA’s standard on safety meetings increased – and the delivery method was welcomed.

Columbia, SC — To help mark its 50th anniversary as a State Plan state, South Carolina OSHA is encouraging employers to provide at least 50 minutes of additional safety training to their workers during Safety Stand Down Week – set for Dec. 5-9.

Sacramento, CA — In an effort to “enhance commercial vehicle safety” and “create consistency between state and federal regulations,” the California Highway Patrol is proposing the state adopt regulations requiring the use of electronic logging devices for commercial motor vehicle carriers involved in intrastate operations.

Sacramento, CA — California’s Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board has voted to adopt non-emergency COVID-19 prevention regulations.

Salem, OR — Oregon OSHA is encouraging all employers and workers in the state to “celebrate their safety and health achievements” and examine and renew their current safety efforts during the agency’s 20th annual Safety Break for Oregon.

Washington — OSHA has certified a revised State Plan for Maine that covers state and local government workers.

Salem, OR — Students from Portland’s Parkrose High School and West Linn High took the top prizes in this year’s Oregon OSHA media contest to promote young worker safety and health awareness.

Augusta, ME — The number of injuries among teen workers in Maine doubled over a recent 10-year period, data from the state’s Department of Labor shows.

Santa Ana, CA — California’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health is “extremely motivated” to move forward on an emergency temporary standard on silica hazards for workers who handle engineered stone.

Washington — OSHA plans to open a new regional office, merge two of its regions and rename its regional offices.

Rosemont, IL — The OSHA region that Bill Donovan oversees will soon be renamed, but what won’t change are the agency’s efforts to promote and protect worker safety and health.

Washington — OSHA has unveiled a new mission statement that “more fully reflects the agency’s purpose and the work we do to serve that purpose.”

Iowa City, IA — Safety pros can make and manage an effective heat-related illness prevention program by implementing the Hierarchy of Controls, Iowa OSHA Bureau Chief Peggy Peterson says in a new video.

Hunt Valley, MD — Maryland is the latest state to adopt a standard on heat illness prevention.

Trusted and worn by more than 200,000 health care professionals daily, ATN Compression Socks gently support the lower leg where it needs the most circulation – without that tight, binding feeling.

SmartCells SlimLine Anti-fatigue Mats are ideal for light commercial settings.

The Fusion Mt is a lightweight safety boot designed to protect both a woman’s toes and the metatarsal bones in her foot.

Red Wing Shoes has expanded its lightweight CoolTech Athletics line to include a 4-inch hiker boot for men who want multipurpose work boots.

With its classic wedge silhouette, the San Jose work boot is built for the unique fit needs of today’s tradeswoman and skilled worker. 

Made from responsibly sourced materials, the medium-duty Dearborn boot’s upper features 
KEEN.FLEXARMOR, a lightweight, ultra-strong, seamless woven textile with more abrasion resistance than leather. A KEEN.DRY waterproof, breathable membrane and air-injected Luftcell midsole provide lasting comfort.

Floatride Energy Daily Work from Reebok is an athletic work shoe made for women. The foam is resilient, flexible and provides premium responsive cushioning. The shoe features extra-wide composite toes, a MemoryTech footbed and breathable mesh with extra TPU for stability.

Floatride Energy from Reebok is an athletic work shoe made for women. The foam is resilient and flexible, as well as provides premium responsive cushioning. The shoe features extra-wide composite toes, a MemoryTech footbed and breathable mesh with extra TPU for stability. A rubber slip-resistant outsole increases traction and durability.

In addition to its lighter weight, the Pittsburgh Energy medium-duty boot offers cushioning and flexibility. Comfort enhancements include a KEEN.ReGEN midsole that returns 50% more energy than standard EVA foam; a waterproof, breathable KEEN.DRY membrane; and a TPU shank for midfoot support.

The 992 is a water-resistant premium nubuck men’s safety boot. Features include a steel-toe cap, 
a removable comfort arch footbed with extreme impact protection and a low-density shocking absorbing PU midsole with anti-bacterial agent.

Two new series of women’s shoes – Parissa Work and Pulse Tech Work – provide workers with contemporary styles that offer protection on the job. Parissa Work slip-ons have a truFlex midsole with slip-resistant outsole and a removable footbed for extra cushioning.

Designed for work in refrigerated areas, cold-storage warehousing and transportation, and dairy and food processing, Redrock Chill boots protect wearers from injury related to cold stress as well as slippery, icy surfaces.

The Langdon Work line of casual, comfortable shoes features midsoles with lightweight shock absorption and overall construction that provides full forefoot flexibility. These slip-ons have a truTECH heel pad that helps prevent foot fatigue by absorbing the shock from a long workday.

The Rainier 6-inch women’s work boot with nano composite safety toe is designed for tradeswomen. It features an oil-, clog- and slip-resistant non-marking outsole.

The Spice line of women’s work boots has a new addition: the Dark Lava Nubuck edition. These reddish-brown leather safety boots are durable, abrasion resistant and waterproof.

The Kenton is a retro-inspired work sneaker that offers lightweight protection for all-day workflow.

Washington – A Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration final rule issued April 17 revises agency regulations to match the maximum and minimum civil penalties for hazardous materials violations established by law in 2012.