Yesterday, we took a brief look at what OSHA is focusing on this year. Today, some more areas you as an HR professional should know about—plus an introduction to a detailed California-specific safety desk reference.
OSHA Standards Based on National Consensus Standards–Signage—OSHA’s consensus standard update project is part of a multiyear project to update OSHA standards that are based on consensus standards. OSHA has published a notice of proposed rulemaking concerning a consensus standard addressing signage.
Reinforced Concrete in Construction—OSHA has published a Request for Information (RFI) seeking information about the hazards associated with the reinforcing operation in construction. OSHA believes current rules regarding reinforcing steel and post-tensioning activities may not adequately address worker hazards in work related to post-tensioning and reinforcing steel.
Silica Exposure—OSHA has initiated proposed rulemaking to make the permissible exposure limit for crystalline silica stricter and to require medical surveillance and training for employees.
Slips and Falls, Personal Fall Protective Systems—OSHA has a final rule awaiting action by the OMB that will incorporate personal fall protection systems into the existing general industry rule for Walking and Working Surfaces (29 CFR 1910.23) to reflect new technologies.
Fed/OSHA and Cal/OSHA are very different in key ways. Get the complete, comprehensive rundown in our exclusive report. Learn more here.
Standard Improvement Project, Phase IV (SIP IV)—OSHA’s Standards Improvement Projects (SIPs) are intended to remove or revise duplicative, unnecessary, and inconsistent safety and health standards. The agency initiated a fourth rulemaking effort to identify unnecessary or duplicative provisions or paperwork requirements that is focused primarily on revisions to its construction standards in 29 CFR 1926.
Review–Lookback of OSHA Chemical Permissible Exposure Limits—OSHA is developing an RFI seeking input from the public to help the agency identify effective ways to address occupational exposure to chemicals. OSHA believes many of the existing permissible exposure limits (PELs) are outdated and need revising.
Whistleblower Protection Regulations—OSHA proposes to issue procedural rules that will establish consistent and transparent procedures for the filing of whistleblower complaints.
Note on Combustible Dust—This issue was not included in the agenda. There has been no proposed rule drafted, so no new regulation is expected soon.
Cal/OSHA vs. Fed/OSHA: A Comprehensive Guide To the Crucial Differences
Whether you’re a California employer looking to expand into another part of the country or an employer from outside California planning to expand your business into the state, California’s occupational safety and health program and rules are likely to be an issue for you.
California: Not Like Everywhere Else
California is one of 26 states that runs its own OSHA program. In many of these so-called “state-plan states,” the state’s rules mirror the federal rules almost exactly; the state merely holds the responsibility for enforcing them.
California, though, is one of a handful of state-plan states that have created a program that differs in many important ways from federal OSHA’s program, both in administrative and regulatory structure and in regulatory coverage.
Ignorance of these differences can put you at risk for costly government citations—even if you have the best intentions in the world.
Extensive Analysis of the Key Differences Between California and Federal Safety Rules
Our exclusive Safety Management & Compliance Report Cal/OSHA vs. Fed/OSHA: A Comprehensive Guide To the Crucial Differences extensively reviews the differences between Cal/OSHA and federal OSHA that are most likely to affect employers operating in both jurisdictions.
This guide identifies and discusses—in easy-to-read plain English—the differences between Cal/OSHA’s and federal OSHA’s regulations, as well as differences between the two agencies’ approaches to:
- Standard structure and applicability
- The general duty clause
- Injury and Illness Prevention Programs
- Recordkeeping and reporting requirements
- Hazardous chemicals
- Infectious diseases
- Permit-required confined spaces
- Ergonomics
- Heat-related illness
- Sanitation
- Agriculture
- Code of safe practices
- Multiemployer worksites
- Young workers
- Enforcement practices
- Required postings
- Citations
- Appeals
- And more!
The Only Guide of Its Kind—Anywhere!
Cal/OSHA vs. Fed/OSHA: A Comprehensive Guide To the Crucial Differences was written by an experienced safety consultant, and we believe it is the only comprehensive resource of its kind out there.
You simply won’t find more complete, thorough coverage of the differences between Cal/OSHA and Fed/OSHA anywhere else.
It’s like having your own personal California safety expert on call 24/7, at a fraction of the cost.
Stay Up-To-Date, Hassle-Free
Best of all, we’ll send you a brand-new edition each year so you always have the most up-to-date information available.
Don’t delay. Order today and get up to speed on the safety rules—both California and federal—that truly matter to your business.
Download your free copy of How To Survive an Employee Lawsuit: 10 Tips for Success today!