Issue link: http://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/799392
OSHA issues final rule on walking-working surfaces WASHINGTON, D.C.—The US De- partment of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued a final rule updating its general in- dustry Walking-Working Surfaces stan- dards specific to slip, trip, and fall haz- ards. The rule also includes a new section under the general industry Personal Pro- tective Equipment (PPE) standards that establishes employer requirements for using personal fall protection systems. The final rule will increase workplace protection from those hazards, espe- cially fall hazards, which are a leading cause of worker deaths and injuries. OSHA believes advances in technology and greater flexibility will reduce worker deaths and injuries from falls. The final rule also increases consistency between general and construction in- dustries, which will help employers and workers that work in both industries. OSHA estimates the final rule will pre- vent 29 fatalities and more than 5,842 injuries annually. The rule became effec- tive on January 17 and will affect ap- proximately 112 million workers at 7 million worksites. The final rule's most significant update is allowing employers to select the fall protection system that works best for them, choosing from a range of ac- cepted options including personal fall protection systems. OSHA has permit- ted the use of personal fall protection systems in construction since 1994, and the final rule adopts similar require- ments for general industry. Other changes include allowing employers to use rope descent systems up to 300 feet above a lower level, prohibiting the use of body belts as part of a personal fall ar- rest system, and requiring worker train- ing on personal fall protection systems and fall equipment. Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are re- sponsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA's role is to ensure these conditions by set- UPDATE:Industry ting and enforcing standard, and provid- ing training, education, and assistance. Analyzing President Trump's infrastructure plan WASHINGTON, D.C.—President Donald Trump's $1 trillion infrastruc- ture plan has shown itself to be a popu- lar idea, but perhaps not an easy one to translate into reality. While Republi- cans and Democrats can agree that in- frastructure has been neglected in the US in recent years, the conflict begins when the discussion turns to how to fund improvements. One early hurdle in putting together a major infrastructure plan is deciding what infrastructure refers to. While it no doubt means roads, bridges, tunnels, and transit, there are other issues that could fall under the umbrella as well. As the Chicago Tribune recently reported, elected officials and private companies have made cases for many investments that they consider to be critical infra- structure for the country. That could include projects as diverse as oil and gas pipelines, communication networks, public street lights, drinking water sys- tems, public parks, and affordable hous- ing. If the White House decides to use tax credits as a form of subsidy for pri- vate investment in infrastructure pro- jects, it may first have to set guidelines defining exactly what counts and what does not. The next question is where the money to fund the big plan will come from. Right now, there are few details, and some analysts say the claim that the plan will pay for itself is dubious. Funding could come in one (or a mix) of several forms. One idea is to use tax credits to encourage private investors to put their money into infrastructure upgrade pro- jects. This is, essentially, a stimulus package, in which the expenditures would in theory be made back in the form of new jobs generated and tax rev- enue. Another idea is a one-time tax windfall from corporations with over- seas assets. That tax could raise $150 billion over a 10-year period, according to analysts, which could put a dent in the infrastructure plan. Yet another idea is an infrastructure bank, where state and local governments and public-private partnerships would bankroll infrastructure improvements. The money would eventually be paid back, though that's one of the concerns experts have. Some say that an infra- structure bank that relies on complete repayment would lead states and private entities to make their infrastructure in- vestments into money generators. Despite a highly partisan political envi- ronment, Republicans and Democrats have routinely worked in a bipartisan manner to support infrastructure legis- lation. In fact, all sides should view a long-term infrastructure package as an opportunity for the two parties to come together and make meaningful progress for the American people. Greenkote doubles capacity BROOK PARK, Ohio—Greenkote PLC has more than doubled capacity at its headquarters production facility in Ohio. Over the past year, the company saw a steady increase in orders for anti- corrosion and metal protection coatings. The new state-of-the-art coating line will multiply current capacity by nearly two and a half times, enabling the Brook Park facility to process more than 150 tons of parts per month. It will also pro- vide for the application of specialized topcoats and sealers to the company's coatings to further enhance coating per- formance. Greenkote provides coating services for construction, automotive, rail, utilities, and a range of other indus- tries where products are exposed to harsh and corrosive environments. EPA awards $10.8 million for educational training WASHINGTON, D.C.—More than 4,400 environmental educators will gain training and leadership opportuni- ties in 2017 through a new cooperative agreement between the US Environ- mental Protection Agency (EPA) and the North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE). EPA is funding up to $10.8 million over 5 years through the agency's teacher training program, formally known as the National Environmental E d u c a t i o n T r a i n i n g P r o g r a m (NEETP). The 5-year program, which is called ee360, began in 2017. 2 POWDER COATING, March 2017