President-elect Joe Biden issued a 324-word statement on 12.29.20, the 50th anniversary of the Occupational Safety and Health Act. He said he will ask OSHA to determine whether to establish an emergency temporary standard for COVID-19 protection, and stated:
“I will direct OSHA to enforce worker safety requirements, target the worst violators, and work to increase the number of OSHA inspectors to get the job done. And I will direct OSHA and other relevant agencies to develop comprehensive strategies for addressing the most dangerous hazards workers encounter in the workplace.”
Biden concluded by saying, “As President I will work every day to uphold the mission of OSHA established fifty years ago and protect the safety and well-being of American workers.”
Sneak peek: the Biden administration’s standards priorities for OSHA
OSHA recently released its semiannual regulatory agenda for Fall 2020. With the administration about to change hands, several “long term” actions on the agenda will likely be accelerated by the new administration. These include putting an MSD column on the 300 Log to record ergonomic-related disorders, a rule on infectious diseases, a rule for drug testing programs and safety incentives, and an updated rule on process safety management.
That’s not all. OSHA-watchers believe notices of proposed rulemaking (NPRMs) will be issued for:
- Amendments to the Cranes and Derricks in Construction Standard;
- Communication Tower Safety;
- Update to the Hazard Communication Standard;
- Powered Industrial Trucks Update;
- Lock-Out/Tag-Out Update;
- Occupational Exposure to Beryllium and Beryllium Compounds in Construction and Shipyard Sectors.
- Welding in Construction Confined Spaces;
- Drug Testing Program and Safety Incentives Rule;
- Personal Protective Equipment in Construction;
- Powered Industrial Trucks Design Standard Update;
- Walking Work Surfaces Update; and
- Mechanical Power Presses Update
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