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Archived News Release--Caution:
information may be out of date.
For more information call: (202) 219-8151
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
today issued a final rule that removes about 275 pages of regulations out of
approximately 3,000 by making quick-fix administrative and technical
amendments.
Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and
Health Joseph A. Dear said, "This is our 'down-payment' on the President's
promise to reduce OSHA regulations by more than 1,000 pages. It also responds
to suggestions from the public and Congress on how OSHA can best ease the
burdens on the employers and employees it regulates."
Following the President's March 4, 1995, directive, OSHA
conducted a comprehensive review of all its regulations and developed a list of
sections or provisions that could be revoked without reducing worker safety and
health. The final rule addresses about 70 items on a list it developed as a
result of the review.
Among the actions being taken in the final rule are:
- Combining the health standards for 13 carcinogenic (cancer-causing)
chemicals into a single section. Although the regulatory requirements were
similar for each chemical, OSHA issued them as separate standards in 1974. OSHA
has decided that it would be easier for the regulated community to understand
and comply with the standards if they are combined into one rule.
- Eliminating more than 100 pages in the health standard for cadmium as
it applies to agriculture. These pages duplicate the text in the general
industry standard. The text is replaced with a cross reference to the pertinent
general industry section on cadmium.
- Removing a number of unnecessary sections in general industry
standards that list the addresses of national standards organizations whose
standards have been incorporated by reference. The addresses of those
organizations are being consolidated into a single section that addresses
incorporation by reference (IBR). The consolidated IBR section also specifies
the paragraphs within a section where the IBR reference appears.
- Removing listings for specific national standards that were used as
sources for standards adopted by OSHA. OSHA has decided that there is no need
to continue to publish these sources.
- Eliminating regulatory text that details test procedures and
performance specifications for rollover protective structures and overhead
protection in agricultural-type tractors used in construction work and
agricultural operations. OSHA recognizes that these tests and specifications
are directed at the equipment manufacturers and do not address equipment that
employers or employees will be able to build. OSHA directs readers to the
appropriate American Society of Agricultural Engineers (ASAE) or Society of
Automotive Engineers (SAE) standards from which its standards were adapted.
- Revoking certain paragraphs dealing with state occupational safety
and health prorams that are obsolete or redundant.
The final rule is published in the Thursday, March 7, 1996,
Federal Register.
Because this initial document contains minor and
noncontroversial amendments, OSHA believes that notice and comment procedures
are unnecessary. The final rule will become effective May 6, 1996.
In addition to this final rule, a regulatory proposal is
being developed to address other "problem provisions" that would warrant public
comment and require notice and comment rulemaking. Some of these rulemaking
actions will include removal of OSHA standards involving working conditions
that are covered by other federal regulatory agencies. Also, the final
respirator standard scheduled for publication this year will eliminate
additional pages of regulations by consolidating fit testing criteria for
respirators. The agency also will reconsider changes made in 1993 that
incorporated applicable general industry regulations into the construction and
shipyard regulations.
Moreover, OSHA has been asking stakeholders to help OSHA
consider various ways to provide improved access to OSHA standards without any
adverse impact on the stakeholders.
The text of this news release is available from the
Department of Labor electronic bulletin board, LABOR NEWS, at 202-219-4784.
Callers must pay any toll-call charges. 300, 1200, 2400, 9600 or 14,400 BAUD;
Parity: None; Data Bits = 8; Stop Bit = 1; Voice phone: 202-219-8831.
The text also is on the Internet World Wide Web at
http://www.osha.gov/.
OSHA news releases, fact sheets, and other short documents
also are available by "OSHA Fax" for a nominal charge of $1.50 per minute.
Callers should dial (900) 555-3400 to access this service.
Information on this news release will be made available to
sensory impaired individuals upon request. Voice phone: 202-219-8151.
Archived News Release--Caution:
information may be out of date.
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