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OSHA News Release
2002 - 10/30/2002 - OSHA REQUESTS COMMENTS ON PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS TO TWENTY-THREE HEALTH STANDARDS |
OSHA News Release - Table of Contents |
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TRADE NEWS RELEASE October 30, 2002 Contact: Layne Lathram Phone: (202) 693-1999 OSHA REQUESTS COMMENTS ON PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS
TO TWENTY-THREE HEALTH STANDARDS Standards Improvement Project Will Clarify, Revise and Eliminate Unnecessary Regulations WASHINGTON, DC -- The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is requesting comments on the second phase of its standards improvement project, designed to address provisions in its health standards for general industry, maritime and construction that are inconsistent, duplicative, or outdated. Some 40 provisions in 23 OSHA health standards will be affected. The changes in the standards are expected to reduce the regulatory burdens on employers while maintaining the safety and health protections afforded to employees. Notice of the request for comments is scheduled to be published in the Federal Register of October 31, 2002. The proposed rule would revise or eliminate medical provisions in older standards that were once considered accepted practice, but have since been deemed obsolete or unnecessary in current medical practice. For example, the proposed rule would modify the coke oven emissions and vinyl chloride standards to require annual, rather than semi-annual, medical exams for employees with long term exposures. This would make these standards consistent with more recent regulations. The proposed rule would also eliminate reporting requirements that have failed to benefit employee health, to serve a useful regulatory purpose, or are inconsistent with the Paperwork Reduction Act. Finally, the proposed rule would make exposure provisions of many standards consistent in terms of monitoring frequency and employee notification of results. Comments on the proposed rule must be submitted by December 30, 2002. To submit comments by regular mail, express delivery, hand delivery or messenger service, send three copies and attachments to the OSHA Docket Office, Docket No. S-778-A, Room N2625, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Ave., NW, Washington, D.C. 20210. You may also fax comments (10 pages or fewer) by calling the Docket Office fax at (202) 693-1648. Include the docket number in your comments. Finally, comments may be submitted electronically, beginning 10/31/02, through the Internet at http://ecomments.osha.gov. Further information on submitting comments can be obtained by calling the Docket Office at (202) 693-2350. Requests for a hearing may be sent to Ms. Veneta Chatmon, Office of Public Affairs, Room N3647, OSHA, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Ave., NW, Washington, D.C. 20210, telephone (202) 693-1999. ###
U.S. Labor Department news releases are accessible on the Internet at www.dol.gov. The information in this release will be made available in alternative format upon request (large print, Braille, audio tape or disc) from the COAST office. Please specify which news release when placing your request. Call 202-693-7773 or TTY 202-693-7755. |
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