OSHA just published a final rule in the Federal Register scaling back what the agency calls "inconsistent, duplicative or outdated provisions" in various toxic substances standards.

Who's Affected: Employers subject to OSHA general industry, construction and/or maritime standards.

When Changes Take Effect : Immediately

What Are the Changes: There are 10 key changes:

1. Carcinogens Reporting

Standard Affected: 13 Carcinogens (Sec. 1910.1003)

The Change: You no longer have to give the nearest OSHA Area Director two reports on releases of carcinogens in areas where workers might be exposed.

2. Exposure Testing

Standards Affected: Vinyl Chloride (1910.1017), 1,2-Dibromo-3-Chloropropane (DBCP) (1910.1044) and Acrylonitriles (1910.1045)

The Change: You need to do quarterly rather than monthly monitoring for the above substances if exposure levels are above the Permissible Exposure Limit, and quarterly rather than monthly if exposure is at or above the action level.

3. Asbestos Control Methods

Standards Affected: Asbestos Removal (Shipyard and Construction) (1915.1001, 1926.1101)

The Change: You no longer have to send evaluation and certification of alternative control methods to OSHA's Directorate of Technical Support before removing more than 25 linear feet of thermal-system insulation or 10 square feet of surfacing material.

4. Chest X-Ray Evaluations

Standards Affected: Inorganic Arsenic (1910.1018) and Coke Oven Emissions (1910.1029)

The Change: You no longer have to get an International Labor Organization UICC/Cincinnati (ILO U/C) rating for chest x-rays of workers for exposure to the above substances. Now the examining doctor can decide the method for evaluating chest x-rays.

5. Signing of Medical Opinions

Standards Affected: Asbestos (1910.1001), Cadmium General Industry (1910.1027) and Cadmium Construction (1926.1127)

The Change: The examining doctor is no longer required to sign the written medical opinion given as part of medical surveillance.

6. Medical Exams

Standards Affected: Vinyl Chloride (1910.1017), Inorganic Arsenic (1910.1019) and Coke Oven Emissions (1910.1029)

The Change: You now have to provide annual rather than semi-annual medical exams for workers with long-term exposure to the above substances.

7. Reporting Emergencies

Standards Affected: Vinyl Chloride (1910.1017) and Acrylonitrile (1910.1045)

The Change: You're no longer required to report occurrence of emergencies involving the above substances to the nearest OSHA Area Director/Office.

8. Updating of Compliance Plans

Standards Affected: Vinyl Chloride (1910.1017), Acrylonitrile (1910.1045), Inorganic Arsenic (1910.1018), Lead (1910.1025), Lead in Construction (1926.62), Coke Oven Emissions (1910.1029) and DBCP (1910.1044).

Old Rule: You now only have to update your compliance plan regarding control of exposure of the above substances annually rather than every six months.

9. Exposure Monitoring Notification to Workers

Standards Affected: Vinyl Chloride (1910.1017), Acrylonitrile (1910.1045), Inorganic Arsenic (1910.1018), Lead (1910.1025; and 1926.62), DBCP (1910.1044), Asbestos (1910.1001; 1915.1001; and 1926.1101), Cotton Dust (1910.1043), Cadmium (1910.1027; and 1926.1127), Benzene (1910.1028), Butadiene (1910.1051), Coke Oven Emissions (1910.1029), Ethylene Oxide (1910.1047), Formaldehyde (1910.1048), Methylene Chloride (1910.1052) and Methylenedianiline (1910.1050; and 1926.60)

The Change: You may now post or individually give monitoring data to workers. Timing requirements have also been standardized. From now on, you must give workers results within 15 working days of receiving them. Exception : Construction employers covered by the methyleneadiniline, lead, asbestos or cadmium standards or shipyard employers covered by the asbestos standard must provide notice as soon as possible but no later than five working days after getting results.

10. First Aid Kits

Standard Affected: Telecommunications (Sec. 1910.268)

The Change: Employers in telecommunications no longer have to inspect first aid kits every month and waterproof them. They can also buy kits off the shelf.

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