The November bi-monthly meeting of the Small Business Administration focused mainly around safety and updates to OSHA regulations. One key regulatory change OSHA is working on is to update the Hazard Communication Standard by incorporating additional changes included in the Globally Harmonized System for Hazard Communication contained in the latest edition, Edition 7. OSHA’s regulation currently reflects provisions contained in Edition 3; therefore, many changes will be seen when OSHA updates the standard. Significant changes will be made to labeling guidance, specifically with small packaging, and new physical hazard classifications, including non-flammable aerosols. OSHA was to issue a proposal in December, but it appears that deadline will not be met.
Three Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act (SBREFA) panels will be held by the end of this year. The first is concerning Tree Removal Standards, the second on Workplace Violence and Health Care, and the third concerning Emergency Response Standards. None of these regulatory changes will impact printing operations.
The Request for Information (RFI) for the Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) Standard is still open and OSHA is accepting feedback on the 33 questions they have posed. The information gathered is to be used to modernize the LOTO Standard and to include new equipment that cannot be locked out in the same way that is currently stated within the rule. In response to some comments received to date, OSHA stated that they are not intending to revisit the previously denied proposal to remove the word “unexpected” from the LOTO rule.
Lastly, all government agencies are required to review and update all significant guidance and create an active online resource to list all active guidance. Each significant guidance document will be posted for a 30-day public review. This task is meant to make guidance documents more accessible and up to date.
The next SBA meeting is scheduled to be January 24th, location TBD. For more information or to ask any questions, email the Government Affairs Department at govtaffairs@sgia.org.
Three Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act (SBREFA) panels will be held by the end of this year. The first is concerning Tree Removal Standards, the second on Workplace Violence and Health Care, and the third concerning Emergency Response Standards. None of these regulatory changes will impact printing operations.
The Request for Information (RFI) for the Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) Standard is still open and OSHA is accepting feedback on the 33 questions they have posed. The information gathered is to be used to modernize the LOTO Standard and to include new equipment that cannot be locked out in the same way that is currently stated within the rule. In response to some comments received to date, OSHA stated that they are not intending to revisit the previously denied proposal to remove the word “unexpected” from the LOTO rule.
Lastly, all government agencies are required to review and update all significant guidance and create an active online resource to list all active guidance. Each significant guidance document will be posted for a 30-day public review. This task is meant to make guidance documents more accessible and up to date.
The next SBA meeting is scheduled to be January 24th, location TBD. For more information or to ask any questions, email the Government Affairs Department at govtaffairs@sgia.org.