Government Affairs Update - March 2008

I-35W Bridge Partnerships

Following the collapse of the I-35W Bridge in Minneapolis, MNOSHA partnered with other organizations during the recovery and removal operations. Read stories about each partnership:

During recovery and removal efforts (read page 1)
As the new bridge is built (read page 2)

The specific goals of the Minnesota OSHA (MNOSHA) partnership programs are to:

Emphasize reduction of injuries and fatalities from the four hazards that are the leading causes of death on construction sites: falls; being struck by; being caught in or between; and electrocution;
Increase the number of general and specialty contractors that implement effective safety and health programs and effective training for management, supervisors and employees;
Publicly recognize contractors with exemplary safety and health programs and site-specific plans; and
Promote open lines of communication between Minnesota OSHA and the construction industry in pursuit of safety.

The partnerships acknowledge the importance of providing a safe, healthful work environment in construction and seek a working relationship that creates mutual trust and respect among all parties - including project owners and construction workers -- involved in the construction process. In the first two programs below, participants may achieve three award levels: basic, intermediate and peak.

Patient Handling Update

Sixty-seven health care facilities statewide have been awarded grants by the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) Workplace Safety Consultation unit to help purchase equipment that will allow employees to safely handle physically challenged patients while lifting or moving them. The grants will help the organizations comply with new state patient-handling regulations taking effect July 1, making such situations safer for both patient and employee.

http://www.doli.state.mn.us/safe_patient-handling.html

More Ergonomic Best Practices

Minnesota OSHA Workplace Safety Consultation (WSC) has added to its ergonomic best practices of employers throughout the state. The information shows examples of inventive ways employers and employees are working to reduce the risks of musculoskeletal injuries in the workplace.

http://www.doli.state.mn.us/ergo_bestpractices.html

Federal Government Updates

Minnesota State Legislative Activity

MN H 3825	COMPANION: MN S 3469 AUTHOR: Atkins (DFL) TITLE: Occupational Safety INTRODUCED: 03/05/2008 DISPOSITION: Pending - Carryover SUMMARY: Relates to occupational safety; permits injured employees a civil remedy if an employer violated safety laws. STATUS: 03/05/2008 INTRODUCED. 03/05/2008 To HOUSE Committee on COMMERCE AND LABOR.
MN H 3930	COMPANION: MN S 3538 AUTHOR: Hornstein (DFL) TITLE: Pollution Control Agency INTRODUCED: 03/10/2008 DISPOSITION: Pending - Carryover SUMMARY: Relates to environment; requires Pollution Control Agency notification of certain people on the status of underground tanks. STATUS: 03/10/2008 INTRODUCED. 03/10/2008 To HOUSE Committee on ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES.
MN S 3469	COMPANION: MN H 3825 AUTHOR: Marty (DFL) TITLE: Occupational Safety INTRODUCED: 03/05/2008 DISPOSITION: Pending - Carryover SUMMARY: Relates to occupational safety; permits injured employees a civil remedy if an employer violated safety laws. STATUS: 03/05/2008 INTRODUCED. 03/05/2008 To SENATE Committee on BUSINESS, INDUSTRY AND JOBS.
MN S 3559	COMPANION: MN H 3870 AUTHOR: Higgins (DFL) TITLE: Safe Patient Handling INTRODUCED: 03/10/2008 DISPOSITION: Pending - Carryover SUMMARY: Relates to safe patient handling; requires clinical plans. STATUS: 03/10/2008 INTRODUCED. 03/10/2008 To SENATE Committee on BUSINESS, INDUSTRY AND JOBS.
MN S 3580	COMPANION: MN H 3685 AUTHOR: Chaudhary (DFL) TITLE: Toxic Chemicals INTRODUCED: 03/10/2008 DISPOSITION: Pending - Carryover SUMMARY: Relates to environment; modifies toxic chemical release reporting requirements. STATUS: 03/10/2008 INTRODUCED. 03/10/2008 To SENATE Committee on ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES

Wisconsin State Legislative Activity

WI A 834	AUTHOR: Wieckert (R) TITLE: Smoking in Places of Employment INTRODUCED: 02/21/2008 DISPOSITION: Pending SUMMARY: Relates to prohibiting smoking in places of employment, restaurants, taverns, and other indoor areas and providing a penalty STATUS: 03/03/2008 In SENATE. Amendment No. 2 offered.
WI A 956	AUTHOR: Molepske (D) TITLE: Environmental Surcharge INTRODUCED: 03/11/2008 DISPOSITION: Pending SUMMARY: Relates to the amount of the environmental surcharge. STATUS: 03/11/2008 INTRODUCED. 03/11/2008 To ASSEMBLY Committee on NATURAL RESOURCES.
WI S 345	AUTHOR: Senate Committee on Law Revision TITLE: Automatic Fire Sprinklers INTRODUCED: 12/03/2007 DISPOSITION: Pending SUMMARY: Relates to variances to rules concerning automatic fire sprinklers in places of employment and public buildings under 60 feet in height. STATUS: 02/26/2008 From SENATE Committee on SENATE ORGANIZATION: Placed on calendar.
WI S 346	AUTHOR: Jauch (D) TITLE: Mercury Containing Products INTRODUCED: 12/03/2007 LAST AMEND: 02/19/2008 DISPOSITION: Pending SUMMARY: Regulates the sale or products to which mercury has been added during formulation and manufacture; provides that fever thermometers containing mercury may only be sold upon a prescription and must contain instructions for use and disposal; prohibits the sale of manometers for milking machines and requires manufacturers to notify wholesales and retailers of how to dispose of their inventory; prohibits the sale of thermostats and other instruments and switches containing mercury; provides for exemptions. STATUS: 02/19/2008 In SENATE. As read second time and substitute amendment no. 1 adopted.
WI S 397	AUTHOR: Miller (D) TITLE: Electronic Device Recycling INTRODUCED: 01/17/2008 LAST AMEND: 03/12/2008 DISPOSITION: Pending SUMMARY: Relates to the disposal, collection, and recycling of electronic devices, making an appropriation, and providing penalties STATUS: 03/12/2008 In SENATE. Senate Amendment No. 1 to Senate Substitute Amendment No. 1 Adopted. 03/12/2008 In SENATE. As read second time and substitute amendment no. 1 adopted. 03/12/2008 In SENATE. Rules suspended. To third reading. Passed SENATE. ***To ASSEMBLY. In SENATE. Rules suspended. To third reading. Passed SENATE. *** To ASSEMBLY.