In the next six months, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) will be encouraging stakeholders such as businesses to provide information that could help reduce hazardous chemical exposures in the workplace. OSHA’s current permissible exposure limits (PELs) for chemicals has not been updated since their adoption in 1971 due to the long process to analyze each chemical. As a result, thousands of chemicals are being used that may not be safe.
OSHA needs suggestions on possible streamline approaches for risk assessment and feasibility analyses, and alternative approaches for managing chemical exposures, including control banding, task-based approaches, and informed substitution. In the coming months, the agency will announce additional ways for public experts, chemical manufacturers, employers, unions, and other members of the public to participate in the dialogue. Interested parties can participate in this conversation at https://federalregister.gov/a/2014-24009.