OSHA’s 2020 Agenda

Jan. 28, 2020

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recently released its regulatory agenda for 2020. The highlights include the following OSHA priorities:

Powered industrial trucks

In March 2019, OSHA issued an RFI to assess whether to make changes to the existing standards for locations of use, maintenance, training, and operation of powered industrial trucks (fork trucks, lift trucks, and motorized hand trucks).

OSHA also intends to propose updates for the design and construction of powered industrial trucks, which would account for the changes to ANSI standards and technological advancements. 

Lock-out/tag-out

OSHA will analyze comments received in response to the RFI it issued in May 2019 regarding the use of computer-based controls of hazardous energy (mechanical, electrical). Although computer-based controls are now common due to the modernization of equipment design, JD Supra reports that the use of these controls conflicts with the current OSHA lock-out/tag-out standard. 

Walking-working surfaces

OSHA intends to clarify the requirement for stair rail systems to make them clearer. OSHA plans to issue a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in April 2020 to address confusion caused by this standard. 

Source: OSHA, JD Supra

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