OSHA's 2014 Regulatory Intentions

According to ASSE's government affairs staff, OSHA's 2014 regulatory agenda is ambitious and perhaps a signal that the long wait for rulemaking by the agency may be coming to an end. That said, ASSE cautions that “any intentions to take action or dates announced by OSHA need to be taken with a grain of salt,” primarily due to resource issues, legal review requirements or various other factors that delay rulemaking.

These projects are at the prerule stage:

• Bloodborne pathogens
• Infectious diseases
• Reinforced concrete in construction
• Preventing backover injuries and fatalities 

These items are at the proposed rule stage

• Occupational exposure to crystalline silica (view ASSE’s comments on the proposed rule here)
• Occupational exposure to beryllium
• Combustible dust
• Injury and illness prevention program
• Confined space in construction
• Electric power transmission and distribution/electrical protective equipment