View Rule

OSHA currently regulates aspects of emergency response and preparedness, and that some of these standards were promulgated decades ago, and none were designed as comprehensive emergency response standards.  Consequently, they do not address the full range of hazards or concerns currently facing emergency responders, nor do they reflect major changes in performance specifications for protective clothing and equipment. The Agency acknowledged that current OSHA standards also do not reflect all the major developments in safety and health practices that have already been accepted by the emergency response community and incorporated into industry consensus standards. OSHA plans to update these standards with information gathered through an RFI and public meetings. The Emergency response and Preparedness subcommittee completed its work in September 2016 and forwarded draft regulatory language to NACOSH for their review and consideration.  In their December 14, 2016 meeting, NACOSH extensively discussed the draft language document, and unanimously approved a recommendation to the Secretary that OSHA move forward to rulemaking using the draft document as a basis for a proposed rule.