{"id":13800,"date":"2023-08-01T19:40:10","date_gmt":"2023-08-01T19:40:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/insulation.org\/io\/?post_type=articles&p=13800"},"modified":"2023-09-05T19:40:21","modified_gmt":"2023-09-05T19:40:21","slug":"osha-regulations-update-2023","status":"publish","type":"articles","link":"https:\/\/insulation.org\/io\/articles\/osha-regulations-update-2023\/","title":{"rendered":"OSHA Regulations Update 2023"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Department of Labor Announces National Emphasis Program Aimed at Reducing and Preventing Workplace Hazards in Warehouses and Distribution Centers<\/h1>\n

By Victoria Godinez<\/p>\n

The U.S. Department of Labor\u2019s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) launched a National Emphasis Program to prevent workplace hazards in warehouses, processing facilities distribution centers, and high-risk retail establishments on July 13, 2023.<\/p>\n

In the past 10 years, warehousing and distribution centers have experienced tremendous growth, with more than 1.9 million people employed in the industry. The Bureau of Labor Statistics data shows injury and illness rates for these establishments are higher than in private industry overall and, in some sectors, more than twice the rate of private industry.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur enforcement efforts are designed to do one thing: lead to permanent change in workplace safety,\u201d said Assistant Secretary for Occupational Safety and Health Doug Parker. \u201cThis emphasis program allows OSHA to direct resources to establishments where evidence shows employers must be more intentional in addressing the root causes of worker injuries and align their business practices with the goal to ensure worker health and safety.\u201d<\/p>\n

Under this 3-year emphasis program, OSHA will conduct comprehensive safety inspections focused on hazards related to powered industrial vehicle operations, material handling and storage, walking and working surfaces, means of egress, and fire protection. The program will also include inspections of retail establishments with high injury rates with a focus on storage and loading areas; however, OSHA may expand an inspection\u2019s scope when evidence shows that violations may exist in other areas of the establishment.<\/p>\n

In addition, OSHA will assess heat and ergonomic hazards under the emphasis program, and health inspections may be conducted if OSHA determines these hazards are present.<\/p>\n

Inspected establishments will be chosen from two lists. One includes establishments with industry codes covered under this emphasis program. The second consists of a limited number of retail establishments with the highest rates of injuries and illnesses resulting in days away, restricted duty, or job transfer.<\/p>\n

State plans are required to adopt this emphasis program or establish a different program at least as effective as the federal model.<\/p>\n

To learn more about solutions to common industry hazards, visit www.osha.gov\/warehousing<\/a>. For more information on OSHA overall, visit www.osha.gov<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Victoria Godinez is an employee at the Department of Labor Office of Public Affairs.<\/p>\n

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Proposed Rule to Clarify Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Standard<\/h1>\n

Action seeks to align construction, general industry, and maritime standards<\/h2>\n

On July 19, 2023, the U.S. Department of Labor announced a notice of proposed rulemaking to clarify the PPE standard (https:\/\/tinyurl.com\/5n7w3adf<\/a>) for the construction industry.<\/p>\n

The current standard does not state clearly that PPE must fit each affected employee properly, which OSHA\u2019s general industry and maritime standards do. The proposed change would clarify that PPE must fit each employee properly to protect them from occupational hazards.<\/p>\n

PPE must fit properly to provide adequate protection to employees. Improperly fitting PPE may fail to provide any protection to an employee, present additional hazards, or discourage employees from using such equipment in the workplace.<\/p>\n

The failure of standard-sized PPE to protect physically smaller construction workers properly, as well as problems with access to properly fitting PPE, have long been safety and health concerns in the construction industry, especially for some women. The proposed rule clarifies the existing requirement (https:\/\/tinyurl.com\/4msacnd3<\/a>), and OSHA does not expect the change will increase employers\u2019 costs or compliance burdens. The proposed revision would align the language in OSHA\u2019s PPE standard for construction with standards for general industry and maritime.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf personal protective equipment does not fit properly, an employee may be unprotected or dangerously exposed to hazards and face tragic consequences,\u201d explained Assistant Secretary for Occupational Safety and Health Doug Parker. \u201cWe look forward to hearing from stakeholders on this important issue as we work together to ensure that construction workers of all genders and sizes are fitted properly with safety gear.\u201d<\/p>\n

Comments and hearing requests must be submitted by September 18, 2023, using the Federal eRulemaking Portal and referencing Docket No. OSHA-2019-0003.<\/p>\n

Visit www.osha.gov\/personal-protective-equipment\/construction<\/a> for more information.<\/p>\n

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Department of Labor Expands Submission Requirements for Injury, Illness Data<\/h1>\n

Final rule takes effect January 1, 2024, for certain employers<\/h2>\n

On July 17, 2023, the U.S. Department of Labor announced a final rule that will require certain employers in designated high-hazard industries to electronically submit injury and illness information to OSHA that they are already required to keep.<\/p>\n

The final rule takes effect on January 1, 2024, (https:\/\/tinyurl.com\/5t5xazee) and now includes the following submission requirements:<\/p>\n