June 13, 2003—The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) published two proposed rules in the June 6 Federal Register to enhance worker protections from respiratory hazards on the job. OSHA is seeking comments until September 4, 2003, on its proposals to amend the Respiratory Protection Standard to include a new fit testing procedure and incorporate new Assigned Protection Factors (APFs) for respiratory protection programs. These measures are expected to prevent approximately 4,000 injuries and illnesses and prevent about 900 deaths annually from cancer and other chronic diseases.
OSHA proposes to amend the existing Respiratory Protection Standard to incorporate Assigned Protection Factors (APFs) as part of a complete respiratory protection program to assist workers and employers in the proper selection of respirators. APFs are numbers that reflect the workplace level of respiratory protection that respirators are expected to provide to employees. The proposal contains OSHA’s preliminary decisions on an APF Table, definitions for APFs and Maximum Use Concentrations, and amendments to replace the existing APF requirements in OSHA’s substance-specific standards.
OSHA also is seeking comment on its proposal to approve a new testing protocol for its Respiratory Protection Standard. The proposed protocol is referred to as controlled negative pressure (CNP), which requires three different test exercises followed by two redonnings of the respirator. OSHA’s current CNP protocol specifies eight test exercises, including one redonning of the respirator.
Written comments on both proposed rulemakings must be submitted by September 4. Written comments (10 pages or fewer) can be faxed to OSHA’s Docket Office at 202/693-1648 or sent electronically to OSHA/e-comments. Three copies of written comments and attachments must be submitted to the OSHA Docket Office, Docket H-049C (APF) or H-049D (CNP), Room N-2625, US Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Ave., Washington, DC, 20210. Further information on submitting comments can be obtained by calling the Docket Office at 202/693-2350.
OSHA plans to hold an informal public hearing on the APF proposal in Washington, DC, in late summer or early fall of 2003.
