Keep an Eye Out for These 3 OSHA Developments in 2018

January 5, 2018 / ,

Here are a few things employers should expect from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in 2018:

  1. Budget Cuts: OSHA may face budget cuts because Republicans, who try to curtail big government spending, controls Congress and the White House. With fewer resources, OSHA will likely enact fewer regulations and limit their enforcement of existing regulations.
  2. Electronic Reporting Rule: OSHA issued a final rule that revised its record keeping and submission requirements to include electronic reporting of injuries and illnesses to OSHA for posting on OSHA’s website. The rule was initially set to take effect on January 1, 2017, but has been delayed repeatedly.
  3. Walking Working Surfaces: OSHA issued a new walking working surfaces rule that became effective on January 17, 2017 but many provisions had delayed effective dates. For example, provisions regarding training (May 17, 2017), testing and certifying anchorages (November 20, 2017), and installing fall arrest and ladder safety systems on existing and new fixed ladders (November 19, 2018). Employers should begin to make plans regarding how to comply with the new fall safety systems requirements by the November 19, 2018 effective date.

Matt Austin owns Austin Legal, LLC, a boutique law firm based in Ohio that limits its representation to employers dealing with labor, employment, and OSHA matters. You can reach Matt by calling him at (614) 843-3041 or emailing him at Matt@MattAustinLaborLaw.com.