2018 OSHA Review & 2019 Outlook

2018 became a year of finalizing previously updated standards, as well as a launch pad for increased legal ramifications for certain violations of OSHA rule, specifically excavation cases and silica cases. HB NEXT is committed to supporting construction firms in understanding and complying with OSHA regulations.

HB NEXT Senior Instructor/Consultant Raymond Scott reviews some of the 2018 OSHA changes:

• With the new Silica Rule fully enforceable as of September 2017, and OSHA initiating multiple cases around the country, a new trend has already emerged involving lawyers beginning to advertise to file lawsuits against employers over silicosis claims.
• Requirements for SDS will be harmonized in 2019 to match updated UN standards.
• After the operator certification component of Subpart CC was pushed back to November of 2018, OSHA has confirmed that the Crane Standard will become fully effective on February 7^th, 2019. The operator must be licensed by type or type and capacity.  Employers will still be required to provide proof of training on the crane assigned to an operator, as well as evaluation of the operator’s skill.
• The push for criminal penalties continues in cases of severe injury or death, related to excavation cave-ins, paralleled by continued outreach by OSHA for these types of job site conditions.
• As residential construction volume continues to grow, so will OSHA’s focus on home builders, especially with fall protection citations.
• With electronic reporting of form 300A fully in place, qualifying employers will have to meet the March 2 deadline from 2019 forward.
• With the new administration’s pro-business approach, we still expect to see a slowdown in new regulation over the next few years.On a related note, OSHA’s operating budget was reduced slightly, with only minor adjustments to its programs.

Staying abreast of OSHA regulation changes is critical to providing a safe work environment and minimizes the impact on project budgets before fines are imposed. HB NEXT is here to serve in a support role for clients, or clients can fully outsource their safety program to HB NEXT through the turnkey Compliance Partner Program. Contact HB NEXT today for any questions regarding your OSHA compliance situation.