OSHA Secretary of Labour Dr. David Michaels gave a sneak peak of some of OSHA’s top priorities for 2011 in a recent online chat facilitated by the Department of Labour (DOL).
Here’s a list of some of the highlights from the 2011 Agenda that Michaels touched on in his talk:
Injury and Illness Prevention Program
In the works for some time, OSHA’s Injury and Illness Prevention Program (I2P2) will require employers to implement a comprehensive program that addresses all aspects of injury and illness prevention, including detailed planning, implementation and evaluation processes and activities that ensure health and safety for all employees.
Michaels indicated that this is OSHA’s highest priority for 2011 and said the next step is the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act (SBREFA) process – which helps small businesses implement regulations – targeted for June 2011. While no date has been set for the eventual regulation that will flow from the process, Michael’s said the agency has expedited the program’s schedule.
The I2P2 approach has already been adopted by thousands of employers across the country and echoes standards already implemented in California and other states, Michaels said.
Adopting Electrical Amendments
OSHA is planning to publish new rules on electrical hazards in May 2011 with the intent of harmonizing construction rules with corresponding general industry rules. The agency wants to update the existing 1910.269 standard with revised requirements on:
- Protection from electric arcs.
- Fall protection equipment.
- Minimum approach distances.
The proposal also includes new provisions for the exchange of information between host employers and contractors.
Revised Hazard Communication Standard
In an effort to better synchronize hazard communication conventions with global standards, OSHA is currently developing a final rule to incorporate the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) into its Hazard Communication Standard (HCS).
Following public hearings in March 2010 and a public comment period, OSHA is currently finalizing the rule after anticipates it will publish regulations by the end of August this year.
MSD in OSHA Form 300
OSHA is currently reviewing a regulation that would see the addition of a musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) column in Form 300 logs. While this change would not take effect this year, Michaels indicated it would be implemented by January 2012.
Stay tuned to the Intelex blog for more detailed information on these emerging OSHA developments in the coming weeks.
