November 13, 2002—The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is requesting comments on the second phase of its standards improvement project, designed to address provisions in its health standards for general industry, maritime, and construction that are inconsistent, duplicative, or outdated.
Some 40 provisions in 23 OSHA health standards will be affected. The changes in the standards are expected to reduce the regulatory burdens on employers while maintaining the safety and health protections afforded to employees. The proposed rule would revise or eliminate medical provisions in older standards that were once considered accepted practice, but have since been deemed obsolete or unnecessary in current medical practice. The proposed rule would also eliminate reporting requirements that have failed to benefit employee health, to serve a useful regulatory purpose, or are inconsistent with the Paperwork Reduction Act.
Finally, the proposed rule would make exposure provisions of many standards consistent in terms of monitoring frequency and employee notification of results.
Comments on the proposed rule must be submitted by December 30, 2002. To submit comments by mail, send three copies and attachments to the OSHA Docket Office, Docket No. S-778-A, Room N2625, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Ave., NW, Washington, D.C. 20210. Comments may also be submitted electronically by visiting OSHA “e-Comments.” Further information on submitting comments can be obtained by calling the Docket Office at 202/693-2350.
Requests for a hearing may be sent to Ms. Veneta Chatmon, Office of Public Affairs, Room N3647, OSHA, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Ave., NW, Washington, D.C. 20210, telephone 202/693-1999.
