OSEA Safety Blog

OSHA Rules and Regulations

Monday, December 5, 2016 OSHA

As 2016 rolls to an end, we take a look at the various Federal Regulations and Standards updates and initiatives that 2016 brought us as well as federal plans, initiatives and focuses for the new year. This list can help you ensure your employees are compliant with the updates from 2016, as well as assist in the planning of your workplace safety, health, and environmental initiatives for 2017. For more information on this list contact OSEA, Inc. The Workplace Experts!

2016 Final Rules and Regulations:

  • OSHA Final Rule to Protect Workers from Exposure to Respirable Crystalline Silica issued 3/24/16 (effective/compliance date: Construction 6/23/17 and GI & Maritime 2/23/18 and Hydraulic Fracturing 6/23/18 for all provisions except Engineering Controls which is 6/23/21)
  • FRA (Federal Railroad Administration) Final Rule on Roadway Worker Protection regulation revisions 4/1/16
  • OSHA Final Rule to Improve Tracking of Workplace Injuries and Illness 5/12/16 (Effective 8/10/16 pushed to 12/1/16 and certain portions to go into effect on 1/1/17)
  • OSHA Penalty increases took effect 8/2/16
  • EPA Hazardous Waste Generator Improvements Rule (New labeling and marking requirements) issued 10/28/16
  • OSHA Final Rule on Walking and Working Surfaces issued 11/17/16
  • EPA Amendment to the Pesticide Worker Protection Standard (2015 but compliance deadline for January 2017)
  • EPA TSCA (Toxic Substances Control Act) Reform (signed in 2016)

2017 and future Final Rules and Regulations:

  • OSHA PSM Standard is in review and may be revised
  • EPA has proposed a new rule for pharmaceutical wastes
  • Final phase of MSHA rule on coal dust
  • MSHA proposed a rule to improve the pre-shift mine examinations (6/16)

OSHA Priorities and Strategies for 2017:

  • Process safety management
  • The combustible dust standard
  • The beryllium standard
  • The explosives regulations
  • Launching of the Whistleblower Severe Violator Enforcement Program (W-SVWP)
  • Impact of the Volks stature of limitations
  • Various litigation relative to the silica rule and recordkeeping regulations
  • The OMBs release of the slip, trip and fall standard
  • Impact of 78% increase in civil penalties
  • OSHAs response to information received relative to chemical exposure
  • Potential movement of the Protecting America’s Workers Act
  • Status of various appropriation riders
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