Regulatory agenda: Silica, I2P2 rules expected soon

Washington – OSHA expects to issue highly anticipated proposed rules for its Silica and Injury and Illness Prevention Program standards within the next few months, according to the Spring Regulatory Agenda, published July 3.

OSHA administrator David Michaels has long said a standard requiring employers to create and establish an injury and illness prevention program is his top priority, and stakeholders have speculated for years on the rule’s specifics. A proposed rule on I2P2 is expected in January 2014, the agenda states.

Proponents of the rule updating OSHA’s Silica Standard have been upset that the proposal has remained under White House review for more than two years in a process that typically lasts 90 days. The new agenda states that the proposed Silica Standard is expected to be issued sometime in July. At press time, it remained under review of the Office of Management and Budget.

Several final rules also are expected to be issued soon, including an update to the agency’s recordkeeping and reporting requirements (July); a rule addressing slip, trip and fall hazards (November); and a rule on confined spaces in construction (December).