The U.S. Labor Department conducted hearings last summer on the future of ergonomics with an anticipated decision by the department in the fall of 2001. Linda Chao, Labor Department secretary, released a statement after the Sept. 11 attacks stating the decision on ergonomics would be postponed for later in the fall. At press time there has been no decision made yet on how the Labor Department will handle the ergonomics issue. U.S. Sens. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., and Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, have sent Chao a letter requesting action by the Labor Department on ergonomics. Congress repealed an ergonomics regulation by President Bill Clinton's administration that was intended to require employers to prevent repetitive workplace injuries and provide benefits to injured employees.
A recent study conducted by the U.S. Department of Transportation's Office of the Inspector General finds the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration defect detection process needs improvement. The report was conducted at the request of U.S. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., ranking member of the Senate committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation. After a hearing on the Firestone tire recall in September 2000, McCain was concerned with the agency's ability to handle early warning signs of defect information. The report cited several problems with the agency's Office of Defects Investigations research process. When a serious injury or death occurs, there is no process in place to alert the appropriate officials. The report also concluded there is no review process after defects have been reported to the agency.
U.S. Rep. Donald Manzullo, R-Ill., introduced the American Small Business Emergency Recovery and Relief Act (H.R. 3230), which will provide emergency relief to small businesses either directly or indirectly affected by the Sept. 11 attacks. The bill also makes changes to the U.S. Small Business Administration's (SBA) non-disaster loan programs to encourage people to start or expand their businesses in the post-attack economy. H.R. 3230 is a companion bill to legislation introduced in the Senate (S. 1499) by U.S. Sens. John Kerry, D-Mass., and Kit Bond, R-Mo. The bill increases loan amounts by the SBA to businesses directly affected by the attacks from $1.5 million to $6 million for economic injury loans and physical disaster loans.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Christie Whitman has stated the agency will seek $102 million more than last year for brownfields cleanup. Last year the EPA requested and received $98 million to clean up abandoned industrial sites. In December 2001 the U.S. Congress approved a five-year plan worth $250 million to state and local governments for cleaning up an estimated 450,000 industrial sites.
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AutoInc. Magazine ® Vol. L, March 2002
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Copyright © 2002 Automotive Service Association (ASA). All rights reserved.