OSHA Seeks Input For Emergency Response and Preparedness Standard

“Elements of the health and safety for emergency responder are currently regulated by OSHA, primarily under six standards,” said OSHA Administrator Edwin Foulke Jr. “Some of these standards were promulgated decades ago and none were designed as a comprehensive emergency response standard. Emergency responders often encounter significant hazards while on the job, and this agency wants to ensure it is doing everything possible to keep these vital employees safe and healthy while at work.”

Current OSHA standards do not reflect all of the major improvements in safety and health practices that already have been accepted by the emergency response community and incorporated into industry consensus standards. This Request for Information is intended to gather information about current thinking and practices relative to emergency responders and skilled support employees.

The public may submit comments electronically at http://www.regulations.gov, the Federal eRulemaking Portal; or by sending or hand delivering three copies to the OSHA Docket Office, Room N-2625, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Ave., N.W., Washington, DC 20210. OSHA is accepting comments from the public until Dec. 10, 2007.

Submissions that are less than ten pages may be sent by FAX to (202) 693-1648. Comments must include the agency name and the docket number for this Request for information, Docket No. S-023B.