089: 5 OSHA Agenda Items to Watch

<p></p> <p>Powered by <a href="http://ireportsource.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">iReportSource</a></p> <p>OSHA has a decent list of regulatory agenda items. While I don't want to go through them all, I do want to highlight five that I think are particularly impactful. Safety professionals always need to be looking ahead at what is coming so we can prepare our employers, update any programs, which includes employee training and certifications that may be required. </p> <p><strong>1. Lock-Out/Tag-Out Update - Pre-Rule Stage</strong></p> <p>Recent technological advancements that employ computer-based controls of hazardous energy (e.g., mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, chemical, and radiation) conflict with OSHA's existing lock-out/tag-out standard. The use of these computer-based controls has become more prevalent as equipment manufacturers modernize their designs. </p> <p>Additionally, there are national consensus standards and international standards harmonization that govern the design and use of computer-based controls. This approach of controlling hazardous energy is accepted in other nations, which raises issues of needing to harmonize U.S. standards with those of other countries. The Agency has recently seen an increase in requests for variances for these devices. This RFI will be useful in understanding the strengths and limitations of this new technology, as well as potential hazards to workers. The Agency may also hold a stakeholder meeting and open a public docket to explore the issue.</p> <p><strong>2. Emergency Response and Preparedness - Pre-Rule Stage</strong></p> <p>OSHA currently regulates aspects of emergency response and preparedness; they promulgated some of these standards decades ago, and none as comprehensive emergency response standards.</p> <p>Consequently, they do not address the full range of hazards or concerns currently facing emergency responders, nor do they reflect significant changes in performance specifications for protective clothing and equipment. The Agency acknowledged that current OSHA standards also do not reflect all the considerable developments in safety and health practices that have already been accepted by the emergency response community and incorporated into industry consensus standards.</p> <p>OSHA is considering updating these standards with information gathered through an RFI and public meetings.</p> <p><strong>3. Mechanical Power Press Update - Pre-Rule Stage</strong></p> <p>Th