DoT Pulls Back Truck Speed-Limit Device Proposal

• The Trump administration has withdrawn a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration proposal that would have required speed-limiting devices on heavy trucks.
• A July 24 notice from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and FMCSA states that the proposal “lacks a sufficiently clear and compelling safety justification for its implementation.”
• Additionally, the agencies indicated that their research and analysis “contained significant data gaps regarding potential safety benefits and economic impacts, and information obtained through the public comment process did not provide the information necessary to proceed to a final rule.”
• The agency introduced an advance notice of proposed rulemaking for the measure in May 2022 as it expanded on a 2016 joint proposal from NHTSA and FMCSA to require the installation of speed limiters on trucks, buses and multipurpose passenger vehicles weighing more than 26,000 pounds.
• FMCSA received more than 15,000 comments on its updated advance proposal. Of those, about 300 comments “provided some type of support for continued development of the proposals,” while more than 15,000 “included statements opposing the rulemaking,” the agency said.
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Illinois OSHA Names Top Water, Sewer Department Violations

• Illinois OSHA is highlighting the top 20 safety violations identified during water and sewer department inspections conducted in recent years.
• Among the most frequently cited violations included the lack of written permit-required confined space (PRCS) programs, which allow for critical safety planning before workers enter tight spaces, such as manholes.
• Also among the frequently cited violations was the failure to perform personal protection equipment hazard checks or provide respirator fit testing.
• “Many of these hazards can be mitigated with proper training, written procedures, and regular maintenance,” said IL OSHA Division Chief Erik Kambarian. “We encourage departments to use the fact sheet as a proactive tool to identify and correct safety gaps before an incident occurs.”
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Here’s When Steel-toed Boots Do, Don’t Make Sense

• While steel-toed boots are a vital safety staple for protecting workers from impacts, chemicals, and debris, especially in industrial and construction settings, the editor of Body+Mind magazine notes that they aren’t always the right choice.
• Mia Barnes, who specializes in workplace health, mental health support and employee wellness, writes that the drawbacks of steel-toed boots, including their weight, rigidity, and potential to conduct electricity and heat, can lead to discomfort and may not be suitable for all job types.
• It is crucial to choose the right footwear for the job, considering factors like comfort, proper fit, and job-specific hazards, she writes. Alternatives like composite-toed boots offer a lighter, non-conductive option.
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