OSHA seeks comment on Emerg. Response & Preparedness

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As posted on the occ-env-med list serv

http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2

007/E7-17771.htm

also use:

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[Federal Register: September 11, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 175)]

[Proposed Rules]

[Page 51735-51743]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr11se07-18]

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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Occupational Safety and Health Administration

29 CFR Part 1910

[Docket No. H-010]

RIN 1218-AC17

Emergency Response and Preparedness

AGENCY: Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA),

Department of Labor.

ACTION: Request for information.

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SUMMARY: Elements of emergency responder health and safety are

currently regulated by OSHA primarily under the following standards:

The Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response Standard; the

personal protective equipment general requirements standard; the

respiratory protection standard; the permit-required confined space

standard; the fire brigade standard; and the bloodborne pathogens

standard. Some of these standards were promulgated decades ago, and

none was designed as a comprehensive emergency response standard.

Consequently, they do not address the full range of hazards or

concerns currently facing emergency responders, nor do they reflect

major changes in performance specifications for protective clothing

and equipment. Current OSHA standards also do not reflect all the

major improvements in safety and health practices that have already

been accepted by the emergency response community and incorporated

into industry consensus standards.

OSHA is requesting information and comment from the public to evaluate

what action, if any, the Agency should take to further address

emergency response and preparedness. The Agency will be considering

emergency response and preparedness at common emergencies (e.g., fires

or emergency medical and other rescue situations), as well as large

scale emergencies (e.g., natural and intentional disasters). OSHA's

areas of interest are primarily: personal protective equipment;

training and qualifications; medical evaluation and health monitoring;

and safety management. The agency will also be evaluating the types of

personnel who would constitute either emergency responders or skilled

support employees at such events, as well as the range of activities

that might constitute emergency response and preparedness.

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