Crystalline silica remains a priority on OSHA's regulatory agenda. (Washington Alert).OSHA OSHA n. Occupational Safety and Health Administration, a branch of the US Department of Labor responsible for establishing and enforcing safety and health standards in the workplace. unveiled its regulatory priorities for the next year in the Federal Register on May 27. The semiannual regulatory agenda outlines work on new standards including crystalline silica, hexavalent chromium Hexavalent chromium or Cr(VI) compounds are those which contain the element chromium in the +6 oxidation state. Chromates are often used as pigments for photography, and in pyrotechnics, dyes, paints, inks, and plastics. and assigned protection factors for respirators. Crystalline silica remains a top priority and OSHA lists a target date of June 2003 for a Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act (SBREFA SBREFA Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act ) panel. The agency continues to state that silica remains a "serious threat" to more than two million U.S. workers, including 100,000 high-risk jobs in abrasive blasting, foundry work, stonecutting stone·cut·ter n. 1. One that cuts or carves stone. 2. A machine that is used to dress stone. stone and tunnel work. While it is apparent that there will not be a panel in June, OSHA has indicated its interest in holding a crystalline silica SBREFA panel this fall. Under the law, OSHA is required to convene a small business panel when it decides to promulgate To officially announce, to publish, to make known to the public; to formally announce a statute or a decision by a court. a regulation that would have a significant impact on small business. To review a copy of OSHA's agenda, visit www.osha.gov/FedReg_osha_pdf/FED20030527.pdf. |
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