Earlier this year, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) published a proposed new Emergency Response Standard to protect a broad range of employees who respond to emergencies as part of their regularly assigned duties. The intent of the new rule is to provide updated and more complete health and safety protections to align with other current industry standards and guidelines.
Recently, OSHA announced that they have extended the comment period on the proposed Emergency Response Rule until July 22, 2024. Once finalized, the new safety and health regulation will:
- Replace the existing Fire Brigades Standard [29 CFR 1910.156] which provides protection specifically to industrial or private firefighters, but not to other types of emergency responders.
- Apply to additional types of emergency responders including workers that provide emergency medical services (EMS) and those that perform technical search and rescue activities.
- Include significant changes for improved protective clothing and equipment as well as updated safety and health requirements that are consistent with current standard industry practices.
- Incorporate elements to protect response personnel from a variety of occupational hazards including a requirement for baseline medical screening and continued medical surveillance for certain responders exposed to fires and explosions.
It should be noted that OSHA has clarified that emergency response activities covered under the Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) regulations [29 CFR 1910.120] are not covered by the proposed Emergency Response Rule. In addition, emergency response activities related to the Permit-Required Confined Spaces Standard [29 CFR 1910.146] are not covered.
Comments on the proposed rule can be viewed or submitted via the Emergency Response Docket. OSHA will also be hosting a public hearing, the date of which has not yet been determined, but will be announced on the Emergency Response Rulemaking website.
For more information on the proposed Emergency Response Rule, or for assistance in determining if the new regulation will apply to your organization, please contact us.
This blog was written by Beth Graham, Director of Quality, Research, and Training
