REGULATORY NEWS FOR THE WEEK OF JULY 4, 2022

• Higher safety fines for executives coming July 1^st, 2022, 7 ways to avoid penalties

On July 1st, Ontario Canada company executives will face much stiffer fines for infractions of the Occupational Health and Safety Act. That’s when new penalty provisions in Schedule 4 of the Working for Workers Act, 2022 come into effect, increasing maximum fines for directors or officers of a corporation from $100,000 to $1,500,000, and to $500,000 for other individuals.

• Alberta emergency response planning: an occupational health and safety tool kit

Provides employers with information about some key occupational health and safety requirements related to emergency response planning. The kit also provides a step-by-step approach to planning, that employers can customize to their own work site.

• Ontario provides guidance to navigate the material handling inspection blitz

A multi-sector material handling inspection initiative continues until September 30^th, 2022.

• New Brunswick releases it annual report

The lowest injury frequency in 13 years, improved return to work outcomes at both 26 weeks and two years, a decrease in the average assessment rate, and a healthy funding level highlight WorkSafeNB’s 2021 Annual Report.

• Nova Scotia lifts all remaining COVID-19 restrictions July 6^th, 2022

Dr. Robert Strang, Nova Scotia’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, announced today, July 4, that Nova Scotia will remove all remaining COVID-19 restrictions in the community on Wednesday, July 6.

• Significant New Uses and updates to the Hazard Communication Standard

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is amending the regulations governing significant new uses of chemical substances under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) to align with revisions that were made to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Hazard Communications Standard (HCS) and changes to the OSHA Respiratory Protection Standard and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) respirator certification requirements for the respiratory protection of workers from exposure to chemicals.

• EPA Releases Draft Revised Risk Determination for n-Methylpyrrolidone

The draft revised risk determination proposes to find that NMP, as a whole chemical substance, presents an unreasonable risk of injury to human health under the conditions of use evaluated.

• EPA Releases Draft Revised Risk Determination for Perchloroethylene

The draft revised risk determination proposes to find that PCE, as a whole chemical substance, presents an unreasonable risk of injury to human health under the conditions of use.

• EPA Finalizes Scope for Part Two of Asbestos Risk Evaluation

The final scope document explains EPA’s plan for part 2 of the risk evaluation for asbestos, including the conditions of use, hazards, exposures, and the potentially exposed or susceptible subpopulations EPA will consider in the risk evaluation.

• EPA Finds HBCD Poses Unreasonable Risks to Human Health and the Environment

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized a revision to the risk determination for cyclic aliphatic bromide cluster (HBCD), finding that HBCD, as a whole chemical substance, presents an unreasonable risk of injury to human health and the environment when evaluated under its conditions of use.

• International pilot programmes to streamline regulatory assessments and inspections

FDA, as a Member of the International Coalition of Medicines Regulatory Authorities (ICMRA), is pleased to share the announcement of the following new pilot programs and the call for industry applications.

• Australia seeks input on Draft Cost Recovery Implementation Statement (CRIS) 2022-23

Australia is seeking your feedback on our draft CRIS. It describes the proposed fees and charges for 2022-23. The consultation closes on July 26, 2022.

• IARC Monographs evaluate the carcinogenicity of occupational exposure as a firefighter

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), the cancer agency of the World Health Organization (WHO), has evaluated the carcinogenicity of occupational exposure as a firefighter.

• Changes in ECHA’s decisions for in vitro and in vivo requests to investigate chromosomal aberrations

The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) will remove the choice between the in vitro chromosomal aberration (CA) test and the in vitro micronucleus (MN) test for REACH Annex VIII data requirement, and request solely the in vitro MN test; among other items of interest.

• Europe has received an intention to identify melamine as a substance of very high concern

An intention has been received for melamine (EC 203-615-4, CAS 108-78-1).

• European assessment of regulatory needs reports are now available

Assessment of regulatory needs reports are now available for:

• Alkyldimethylbetaines;
• Thio alkyl acids and esters of dialkyldithiophosphates (DDP S acids and esters);
• Tetrahydroxymethyl and tetraalkyl phosphonium salts; and
• Zirconium and its simple inorganic compounds.

To get a full list of the substances covered in the group, you can filter the list on our website by group name.

• South Korea Plans to Add Eight Reproductive Toxic Substances to the List of Hazardous Substances

(CIRS) The Ministry of Employment and Labor of South Korea released the proposed amendment to the Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency (KOSHA) for public consultation on April 25, 2022, planning to add eight reproductive toxic substances to the list of “hazardous substances subject to management”.

Safety Share

• 6 ways to boost hazard awareness – and reduce injuries – among new and young workers

The reality is things are often not okay, but new and young workers are afraid to speak up for fear of getting into trouble, being blamed, or looking stupid because they can’t describe what’s happening.

• Selecting respirators and masks

Bulletin gives information to help employers select respirators and masks during COVID-19. The resource focuses on specific legislated OHS requirements in Alberta.

• 2022 NSC Safety Conference & Expo September 19, 2022–September 21, 2022 at San Diego, CA

The 2022 NSC Safety Congress & Expo will offer more than 125 educational opportunities including Professional Development Seminars, Keynotes and Technical Sessions. All designed to help you advance your career, earn CEUs and provide new skills to help you perform your day-to-day job better.

• ISO Annual Meeting September 19-23- Abu Dhabi, UAE

Theme: Collaborating for good

• SQF Unites November 7-9, 2022 Orlando, Florida

SQF Unites offers a unique combination of educational formats and engagement activities that you can tailor to meet your company and personal goals.