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OSHA Update

Heat Injury and Illness Prevention Standard Comment Period Extended

On November 29, 2024, OSHA announced a 15-day extension of the comment deadline for the agency’s proposed heat injury and illness prevention standard. The new deadline to submit comments will be January 14th. As part of the announcement, OSHA has also scheduled an informal public hearing, which will be held virtually and will begin June 16, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. Additional information on how to access the informal hearing will be posted at https://www.osha.gov/heat-exposure/rulemaking. As of the end of November, seven states (California, Colorado, Minnesota, Oregon and Washington, and most recently Maryland and Nevada) have approved or implemented heat-related mandates for employers.

PPE in Construction Standard Clears OIRA Review; Infectious Diseases Standard Pending

Last Friday, the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) finished its review of the final rulemaking clarifying OSHA’s requirements for personal protective equipment (PPE) in construction, and the rulemaking is expected to be published in the Federal Register soon. Additionally, OIRA recently received the agency’s proposed rule on infectious diseases. Per the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) website, “OSHA is examining regulatory alternatives for control measures to protect employees from exposure to pathogens that can cause significant infectious disease. Workplaces where such control measures might be necessary include: health care, emergency response, correctional facilities, homeless shelters, drug treatment programs, and other occupational settings where employees can be at increased risk of exposure to individuals who are potentially infectious.”

OSHA Seeking the Advisory Committee on Construction Safety and Health (ACCSH) Nominations by January 2nd
The Advisory Committee on Construction Safety and Health (ACCSH) is seeking nominees for multiple positions with the committee. The vacant positions are as follows:

  • Five members who are qualified by experience and affiliation to present the viewpoint of employers in the construction industry-five employer representatives will be appointed;
  • Five members who are similarly qualified to present the viewpoint of employees in the construction industry-five employee representatives will be appointed;
  • Two representatives of State safety and health agencies-two representatives from a State safety and health agency will be appointed;
  • Two public members, qualified by knowledge and experience to make a useful contribution to the work of ACCSH, such as those who have professional or technical experience and competence with occupational safety and health in the construction industry-two public representatives will be appointed

Submission requirements and other details can be found in the Federal Register notice

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