OSHA Issues Rule to Revise Requirements in Safety and Health Standards

On May 13th, OSHA issued a final rule that revises 14 provisions in the recordkeeping, general industry, maritime, and construction standards that may be confusing, outdated, or unnecessary. This rule is now the fourth final rule under OSHA’s Standards Improvement Project which began in response to a Presidential memorandum in 1995.

Since then, revisions have been made in 1998, 2005, and 2011.

The hope is these revisions will increase understanding and compliance and improve employee safety and health. OSHA estimates $6.1 million will be saved by employers per year with these revisions alone.
The revisions include:

• an update to the consensus standard incorporated by reference for signs and devices used to protect workers near automobile traffic;
• a revision to the requirements for roll-over protective structures to comply with current consensus standards;
• updates for storage of digital X-rays; and
• the method of calling emergency services to allow for use of current technology.

OSHA is also removing from the standards the requirements that employers include an employee’s social security number (SSN) on exposure monitoring, medical surveillance and other records in an effort to protect employee privacy and prevent identity fraud.

To view the final rule, click here.