On March 28, 2016, OSHA announced that they have published a final rule to update requirements for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for workers in general industry, shipyards, marine terminals, longshoring, and construction. The proposed rule met no significant objections from commenters and the final rule, which incorporates current national consensus standards, will become effective on April 25, 2016.
This final rule will update the references to the most recent edition of the ANSI/ISEA eye and face protection standards. ANSI/ISEA Z87.1-2010, Occupational and Educational Personal Eye and Face Protection Devices, is acknowledged and old references to prior editions of the eye and face protection standard will be removed once this final rule becomes effective on April 25, 2016.
OSHA was directed to adopt national consensus standards as OSHA standards under section 6(a) of the OSH Act. This was accomplished by either adopting the national consensus standards as regulatory text or incorporating them by reference. While the national consensus standards have been updated over the last several decades, OSHA generally has not revised their regulations to reflect the current national consensus standard. OSHA is working to address these outdated standards over a multi-year project.
Be sure review the final rule and incorporate the PPE requirements into your worker safety programs.