by jbs070510d3 — July 7, 2010—The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced on July 2 its Standards Improvement Project (SIP)-III, a proposed rule to revise and remove requirements within several OSHA standards that are outdated, duplicative or inconsistent. This rulemaking is intended to help keep OSHA standards up-to-date and to help employers better understand their regulatory obligations.
For example, OSHA is proposing in SIP-III to update the definition for “potable water” in the Sanitation standard (1910.141) with the current Environmental Protection Agency clean water standard. OSHA is also proposing to remove an outdated provision in the Bloodborne Pathogens standard (1910.1030) that requires employers to provide hand dryers that use warm air. This will allow use of newer technologies that use room temperature air.
These SIP-Phase III recommendations evolved through the agency’s review of its standards, suggestions and comments from the public, and recommendations from the Office of Management and Budget. The proposal builds on the success of earlier SIP phases published in June 1998 and January 2005.
Those interested in submitting comments for this proposed rule can submit them through the Federal eRulemaking Portal. OSHA will accept comments until September 30, 2010.
