Another Compliance Change By OSHA? This Time Its PPE
OSHA published a final rule that updates its eye and face protection standards and will go into effect April 25th of this year. The updated standard will address updated personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements for workers in general industry, construction, shipyards, longshoring, and marine terminals.
The new rule updates OSHA’s Eye and Face Protection Standards to reference ANSI/ISEA Z87.1-2010 (Occupational and Educational Personal Eye and Face Protection Devices) and it removes the 1986 edition of the same standard. OSHA is keeping the 2003 and 1989 versions of the ANSI standard referenced in the updated standard.
The final rule involves: (1) Changes to the ANSI standard references and (2) inclusion of language from the general industry eye and face protection standard. With respect to the consensus standards update, OSHA is amending 29 CFR 1926.6 and 1926.102, which currently incorporate by reference ANSI Z87.1-1968 to include the same three consensus standards incorporated into the general industry and maritime standards, ANSI/ISEA Z87.1-2010, ANSI Z87.1-2003, and ANSI Z87.1-1989 (R-1998). OSHA is modifying certain existing language to make it nearly identical to the language in the general industry standard’s eye and face protection provisions. It is retaining provisions unique to the current construction standard that are not covered in the versions of the consensus standards incorporated by the proposal.
OSHA believes these changes are warranted because it will make compliance easier for employers who perform work that is covered both by the construction standard and another of OSHA’s standards.