The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Sept. 30 released a proposed rule that will modify the existing Hazard Communication Standard.  The updated standard will conform to the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals used by the United Nations.   

Specifically, the proposed rule includes revised criteria for chemical hazard classification; revised and standardized labeling criteria that will include pictograms; and a specific format for safety data sheets.  The revisions also contain requirements that will force every employer that currently has a hazard communication plan to train its employees on the new standard within two years of implementation of the final rule.  OSHA estimates this portion of the proposed rule will affect more than five million businesses for a total annual cost to employers of $100 million.  

In addition, OSHA is proposing to modify provisions of other standards, including standards for flammable and combustible liquids, process safety management and most substance-specific health standards to ensure consistency with the modified Hazard Communication Standard.   

Because of the broad scope of the proposed rule and the training requirements it contains, ABC is assessing the impact of the proposed rule on the construction industry and will likely submit comments before the Dec. 29 deadline.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration Oct. 1 announced revisions to the two enforcement policies under the Steel Erection Standard.  

Under the revised policies, steel studs that bind concrete to the steel, known as shear connectors, must be installed at the worksite.  Previously, employers were allowed to weld the shear connectors on the ground before attaching them to the building.  

The other updated policy requires that employers install a floor or net beneath workers within two stories or 30 feet, which ever is less.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is launching a pilot program to monitor recordkeeping on construction and mobile worksites.   

The pilot program is being launched in conjunction with a national emphasis program (NEP) that is currently focusing on non-mobile worksites.  OSHA will begin monitoring construction and other mobile job sites once the pilot program is complete.   

The current NEP on recordkeeping directs OSHA inspectors to analyze all injury and illness records between 2007 and 2008 for the jobsite being monitored.  Inspectors will then reconstruct the OSHA 300 forms from that information and compare them to the forms that were actually filed.  The program was launched Sept. 30 and will expire in one year.   

ABC will monitor the progression of the pilot program for the construction industry and keep members updated.  

For more information, click here.