By: Laura E. Beverage
For clients and friends of Jackson Kelly PLLC
Volume 15, Number 2
©2019 Jackson Kelly PLLC
The Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs released its Spring 2019 semi-annual regulatory agenda for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (“OSHA”) on May 22, 2019.
Included in the agenda is the issuance of OSHA’s final rule in the Standards Improvement Project IV revising 14 provisions in the recordkeeping, general industry, maritime, and construction standards that were found to have outlived their shelf life or were unnecessary and/or confusing. The changes were first proposed in 2016 and are estimated to save employers over 6 million dollars annually. The final rule was published on May 14, 2019, in the Federal Register at https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2019-05-14/pdf/2019-07902.pdf.
The agency has also made a Request for Information (“RFI”) for potential update to the Lockout/tagout (“LOTO”) standard for the Control of Hazardous Energy. The RFI seeks comment on technological advancements such as the use of control circuit-type device and evolving use for robotics to isolate energy. This RFI will form the framework for updating the 1989 standards which disapproved the use of circuit devices for energy isolation devices with the availability of improved technology.
The full agenda is summarized below:
OSHA’s Pre-Rule Stage:
- Communication Tower Safety.
- Emergency Response
- Mechanical Power Presses Update
- Powered Industrial Trucks
- Lock-Out/Tag-Out Update
- Tree Care Standard
- Prevention of Workplace Violence in Health Care and Social Assistance
- Blood Lead Level for Medical Removal
- Occupational Exposure to Crystalline Silica; Revisions to Table 1 in the Standard for Construction
OSHA’s Proposed Rule Stage:
- Amendments to the Cranes and Derricks in Construction Standard
- Update to the Hazard Communication Standard
- Cranes and Derricks in Construction: Exemption Expansions for Railroad Roadway Work
- Puerto Rico State Plan
- Welding in Construction Confined Spaces
OSHA’s Final Rule Stage:
- Standards Improvement Project IV
- Quantitative Fit Testing Protocol: Amendment to the Final Rule on Respiratory Protection
- Rules of Agency Practice and Procedure Concerning OSHA Access to Employee Medical Record
- Technical Corrections to 35 OSHA Standards and Regulation
- Exposure to Beryllium NPRM to Review General Industry Provisions
- Occupational Exposure to Beryllium and Beryllium Compounds in Construction and Shipyard Sectors
For additional information or guidance, feel free to contact any of the Jackson Kelly PLLC Workplace Safety and Health Practice Group professionals.
WORKPLACE SAFETY AND HEALTH PRACTICE GROUP
Denver, Colorado
Responsible Attorney
Karen L. Johnston
303.390.0008
kjohnston@jacksonkelly.com
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