On January 7, 2014, the Federal Register published the United States Department of Labor’s Semiannual Regulatory Agenda (“SRA”). The Regulatory Plan that is published as a part of the SAR includes a statement of the Department’s regulatory priorities and the regulations the Department wishes to highlight.
The entire SRA relates to new OSHA regulations or modifications to existing regulations. Included in the SRA are rules related to the following: Bloodborne pathogens, infectious diseases, reinforced concrete in construction, prevention of “backover” injuries and fatalities, exposure to crystalline silica, exposure to beryllium, combustible dust, injury and illness prevention programs (I2P2), confined spaces in construction, and electrical power transmission and distribution. Though few, if any of these rules will be finalized in 2014, this list gives some insight into OSHA’s priorities for the year.