The U.S. Department of Labor’s semiannual regulatory agenda releases don’t make a splash in mainstream media as a rule, but they (as do similar releases from other federal agencies) matter to safety and health professionals. The releases usually appear in the Federal Register with no fanfare; you can find them online if you’re willing to take the time.

On Monday, DOL and Labor Secretary Hilda Solis are taking a different approach. From 4 to 5 p.m. EST, the secretary will host a live chat that is open to the public and reporters to discuss the new regulatory agenda issued by her department earlier that day. And at the same Web site, the leaders of OSHA, MSHA, the Office of Labor-Management Standards, the Wage and Hour Division, the Employment and Training Administration, the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs, and the Employee Benefits Security Administration will host chats Dec. 7, 8, and 9 to discuss their portions.

At least a few of these bear watching. Under Solis, the department has been trying to boost job creation, provide training to jobless workers, and target wage and hour violations aggressively. She’s still waiting for a solicitor of Labor to be confirmed, but the Dec. 3 confirmation of David Michaels as OSHA assistant secretary is one hurdle crossed. And Joe Main, the MSHA assistant secretary, may be announcing new regulatory action to address miners' exposures to coal dust. He announced new efforts against black lung on Dec. 3, including long-awaited regulatory approval of coal miners' personal dust monitors, but did not promise a lower PEL, according to press reports.
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