OSHA is preparing to release changes to existing standards and new standards related to several subjects that they have been analyzing for the last few years. I would expect that each one of these new regulations will be part of their emphasis programs next year depending upon release. Below is a brief review of each area that OSHA will be releasing new standards for with a brief description of what will be addressed.
Crystalline Silica
* Inhalation of respirable silica dust can cause lung disease, silicosis and lung cancer. Exposure to airborne silica dust occurs in operations involving cutting, sawing, drilling and crushing of concrete, brick, block and other stone products, and in operations using sand products…Combustible Dust
* Combustible dust can cause catastrophic explosions like the 2008 disaster at the Imperial Sugar refinery that killed 14 workers and seriously injured dozens more. Deadly combustible dust fires and explosions can be caused by a wide array of materials and processes in a large number of industries. Materials that may form combustible dust include wood, coal, plastics, spice, starch, flour, feed, grain, fertilizer, tobacco, paper, soap, rubber, drugs, dyes, certain textiles, and metals…Hazard Communication Standard – Global Harmonization System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals
* OSHA and other U.S. agencies have been involved in a long-term project to negotiate a globally harmonized approach to informing workers about chemical hazards. The result is the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS). OSHA is revising its Hazard Communication Standard to make it consistent with the GHS…
For the full list of proposed areas from Southwest Missouri Safety Company
