Popcorn Workers Lung Disease Prevention Act

Bill: 110-hr-2693
Sponsor: Rep. Woolsey, Lynn C. [D-CA-6]
Introduced: 2007-06-13 in the House
Policy area: Labor and Employment
Subjects: Administrative procedure
Agriculture and Food
Chemicals
Commerce
Department of Labor
Employee training
Environmental Protection
Food industry
Government Operations and Politics
Governmental investigations
Health
Health warnings
Indoor air pollution
Labeling
Law
Lung diseases
Medical tests
Occupational health and safety
Pollution measurement

Summary:
action_date: 2007-06-13
text: 
Directs the Secretary of Labor to promulgate an interim final standard regulating worker exposure to diacetyl that applies to all: (1) locations in the flavoring manufacturing industry that manufacture, use, handle, or process diacetyl; and (2) microwave popcorn production and packaging establishments that use diacetyl-containing flavors in the manufacture of microwave popcorn.

Requires that the interim standard provide no less protection than the recommendations contained in the NIOSH Alert Preventing Lung Disease in Workers Who Use or Make Flavorings (NIOSH Publication 2004-110) and include specified exposure, medical surveillance, protective equipment, safety, and training requirements. Gives the interim standard the legal effect of an occupational safety and health standard and states that it will apply until a final standard becomes effective under the Occupational Safety and Health Act.

Requires the Secretary, not later than two years after the date of this Act's enactment, to promulgate a final standard regulating worker exposure to diacetyl that contains the worker protection provisions in the interim standard, a short term exposure limit, and a permissible exposure limit that does not exceed the lowest feasible level. Requires that the final standard apply to all facilities where diacetyl is processed or used.

action_date: 2007-07-18
text: 
Popcorn Workers Lung Disease Prevention Act - Directs the Secretary of Labor to promulgate: (1) within 90 days, an interim final standard regulating worker exposure to diacetyl that applies to all locations in the flavoring manufacturing industry that manufacture, use, handle, or process diacetyl and all microwave popcorn production and packaging establishments that use diacetyl-containing flavors; and (2) within two years, a final standard that contains a short term exposure limit and a permissible exposure limit not exceeding the lowest feasible level and that applies to all facilities where diacetyl is processed or used. Gives the interim standard the legal effect of an occupational safety and health standard until the final standard becomes effective.

Requires such standards to provide no less protection than the recommendations contained in the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Alert &quot;Preventing Lung Disease in Workers Who Use or Make Flavorings&quot; and to include specified requirements for: (1) engineering, work practice controls, and respiratory protection to minimize exposure to diacetyl; (2) a written exposure control plan that will indicate specific measures the employer will take to minimize employee exposure; (3) airborne exposure assessments; (4) medical surveillance for workers and referral for prompt medical evaluations; (5) protective equipment and clothing for workers; and (6) the provision of written safety and health information and training to employees. 
 Requires NIOSH to: (1) study and report to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) on food flavorings used in the production of microwave popcorn, prioritizing the chemicals that are most closely chemically associated with diacetyl to determine possible exposure hazards; and (2) establish recommended exposure limits for flavorings that pose exposure hazards to workers involved in the production of microwave popcorn.
action_date: 2007-09-26
text: 
Popcorn Workers Lung Disease Prevention Act - Directs the Secretary of Labor to promulgate: (1) within 90 days, an interim final standard regulating worker exposure to diacetyl that applies to all locations in the flavoring manufacturing industry that manufacture, use, handle, or process diacetyl and all microwave popcorn production and packaging establishments that use diacetyl-containing flavors; and (2) within two years, if diacetyl is still being processed or utilized in facilities, a final standard that contains a short term exposure limit and a permissible exposure limit not exceeding the lowest feasible level and that applies to all facilities where diacetyl is processed or used. Gives the interim standard the legal effect of an occupational safety and health standard until the final standard becomes effective.

Requires such standards to provide no less protection than the recommendations contained in the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Alert &quot;Preventing Lung Disease in Workers Who Use or Make Flavorings&quot; and to include specified requirements for: (1) engineering, work practice controls, and respiratory protection to minimize exposure to diacetyl; (2) a written exposure control plan that will indicate specific measures the employer will take to minimize employee exposure; (3) airborne exposure assessments; (4) medical surveillance for workers and referral for prompt medical evaluations; (5) protective equipment and clothing for workers; and (6) the provision of written safety and health information and training to employees. 

Requires NIOSH to study and report to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) on food flavorings that may be used as substitutes for diacetyl. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-09-28
text: Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 400.
action_date: 2007-09-27
text: Received in the Senate. Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time.
action_date: 2007-09-26
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2007-09-26
text: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 260 - 154, 2 Present (Roll no. 913).
action_date: 2007-09-26
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 260 - 154, 2 Present (Roll no. 913).
action_date: 2007-09-26
text: The House adopted the amendment in the nature of a substitute as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union. (text: CR H10928)
action_date: 2007-09-26
text: The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule. (consideration: CR H10931)
action_date: 2007-09-26
text: The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 2693.
action_date: 2007-09-26
text: DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 678, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Wilson (SC) amendment.
action_date: 2007-09-26
text: DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 678, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the George Miller (CA) amendment.
action_date: 2007-09-26
text: GENERAL DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 2693.
action_date: 2007-09-26
text: The Speaker designated the Honorable Dennis A. Cardoza to act as Chairman of the Committee.
action_date: 2007-09-26
text: House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 678 and Rule XVIII.
action_date: 2007-09-26
text: Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 2693 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Measure will be considered read. Specified amendments are in order.
action_date: 2007-09-26
text: Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 678. (consideration: CR H10920-10932)
action_date: 2007-09-26
text: Rule H. Res. 678 passed House.
action_date: 2007-09-25
text: Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 678 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 2693 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Measure will be considered read. Specified amendments are in order.
action_date: 2007-07-18
text: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 149.
action_date: 2007-07-18
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Education and Labor. H. Rept. 110-239.
action_date: 2007-07-18
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Education and Labor. H. Rept. 110-239.
action_date: 2007-06-20
text: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2007-06-20
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2007-06-13
text: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
action_date: 2007-06-13
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E1279)
action_date: 2007-06-13
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2007-06-13
text: Introduced in House