Government Affairs

ASSE Government Affairs Updates

The following information is drawn from the ASSE Government Affairs website.

Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices 2009 Edition Available

The new MUTCD has been released.  It incorporates the recent FHWA rule, the ANSI/ISEA 107 - 2004 standard, and applies to most all roadways.  It also allows for emergency responders and public safety employees to use the smaller ANSI/ISEA 207 -2006 style vests.

http://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/kno_2009.htm

New OSHA Construction Standards

New Construction OSHA standards effective October 1, 2009 NC DOL OSH Division has adopted new construction standards for Cranes and Derricks.  They go into effect on October 1st of this year.  There is a certification requirement for operators that will go into effect in two years (9/30/11).  The 27 rules are: 13 NCAC 07F .0901 to .0927.  The text can be found on NCDOL's website:

http://www.nclabor.com/osha/etta/state_specific_rules/stds.htm

They are also offering free training around the state.  The dates and locations can also be found on their web site.

North Carolina Bans Text-Messaging While Driving

North Carolina has become the 14th state to pass a law banning all drivers from text messaging while driving. According to the Governors Highway Safety Association, in the first six months of 2009, seven states passed legislation banning text messaging while driving, bringing the total to 14 states and the District of Columbia. Washington-based GHSA posts state-specific information on cell phone driving laws on its Website.

Although the number of states banning text messaging while driving is expected to grow, Janet Froetscher, National Safety Council president & CEO, cautions that texting is only part of the ban advocated by the council. "No matter how you use a cell phone, for texting or conversation, your mind is on the cell phone, not on driving. Drivers using cell phones are at a four times greater risk of crashing than other drivers. We are calling for states to ban all forms of cell phone use while driving."

If you want to know more about our legislatures efforts in the arena of cell phone and texting while driving, go to the following link: http://handsfreeinfo.com/north-carolina-cell-phone-laws-legislation

FHWA Rules Require Class 2 Vest for Right of Way Workers

The FHWA rule on workers requires a class 2 vest for anyone working in the federal aid right of way. They issued a temporary change allowing firefighters to where their turnout gear when they were cleaning up spills or fighting a fire. After that was done and they were still working in the right of way, they needed a class 2 vest. This finalizes that temporary situation. Also, many of us anticipate the new MUTCD version will apply the overall vest requirement to all roads impacted by the MUTCD, not just federal aid right of way.

See http://tinyurl.com/m6lgmu for more information.

North Carolina Pandemic Influenza Plan Available

Pandemic Flu is on CDC, OSHA, Homeland Security, NIOSH, etc's radar. Is it on yours? There are lots of resources and guidance coming out almost daily on the web. Check out the North Carolina Pandemic Influenza Plan online at http://www.epi.state.nc.us/epi/gcdc/pandemic.html.