WASHINGTON -- The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued a new enforcement directive that provides guidance to employers on how to comply with the agency’s new illness and injury recordkeeping rule. Although the directive is intended for use by OSHA enforcement officers, it is a good compliance tool for employers subject to the new recordkeeping regulations, which take effect January 1, 2002.

WASHINGTON -- Sen. Ernest F. “Fritz” Hollings (D-SC) has introduced legislation that would clarify provisions in the recently enacted anti-terrorism bill (the “USA-Patriot Act”) that would require criminal background checks of drivers who seek hazardous materials (hazmat) endorsements on their commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs).

LONDON -- Struggling in its efforts to orchestrate crude-production cuts among non-member states, the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries will wait until an emergency meeting it has scheduled for December 28 in Cairo to determine its next move.