Curtas do Bryant´s

OSHA – whistleblower protections

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) published a final rule of the text of its various regulations governing the employee protection (whistleblower) provisions under various statutes enforced by OSHA, including the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (FWPCA). The final rule is effective immediately. 76 Fed. Reg. 2808 (January 18, 2011).

NAS – evaluation of advanced spectroscopic portals

The National Academy of Science (NAS) released its report entitled Evaluating Testing, Costs, and Benefits of Advanced Spectroscopic Portals. Advanced spectroscopic portals (ASPs) are intended to provide an improved means of non-intrusive inspection of cargo (primarily containerized cargo) bound for the United States in order to determine whether there may be nuclear material or other threats secreted inside. The report found that shortcomings in the ASP performance tests have impaired the ability to draw reliable conclusions about the device’s likely performance in field conditions. Further, the cost-benefit analysis was flawed and needs substantial improvement to support informed decision making. (1/13/11).

USCG – name-based terrorism check for security personnel

The US Coast Guard issued a revised Port Security Advisory regarding procedures for obtaining a name-based terrorism check for security personnel operating in high-risk waters (HRW) in accordance with PSA 05-09 (Rev 1). The only revision relates to an updated point of contact within the Coast Guard for submittal of security personnel information. (1/14/11).

House – bill introduced to prohibit offshore leasing

Representative Pallone (D-NJ) introduced the No New Drilling Act of 2011 (H.R. 261) to amend the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to prohibit the leasing of any area of the outer Continental Shelf for the exploration, development, or production of oil, gas, or any other mineral. (1/11/10). Fonte: Dennis Bryant.