OSHA: Several final rules expected by year’s end

Washington – OSHA intends to issue final rules on personal protective equipment; confined spaces; and slips, trips and falls by the end of the year, according to the recently published semiannual regulatory agenda.

The agenda lists a publication date of August for a final rule on confined spaces in construction. The rule has been in the works for more than a decade.

A final rule updating the agency’s PPE standard is slated for September. OSHA said the rule will incorporate references to more recent consensus standards.

October is the agency’s target date for a final rule updating OSHA standards on walking/working surfaces and personal fall protection systems.

The timetable for actions on other notable rules includes:

• A notice of proposed rulemaking on beryllium – July
• A small business review process of a combustible dust standard – December
• A final rule to modernize the injury and illness reporting system – March 2015