February 2023 OSHA Update

Posted By Brandy King
February 20, 2023 Category: Osha, Osha Compliance, Fairfax Memo, Combustible Dust Nep,

    Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh announced his resignation in early February. At the time of the update, he has not actually stepped down and ideas are being tossed around about his potential replacement. Deputy Secretary of Labor Julie Su is expected to take over as acting secretary, which presents the possibility that she could be our next Secretary of Labor. Regardless of who fills the shoes, OSHA field offices and inspectors will stay busy (see below) – which means employers need to stay diligent. Expansion of combustible dust NEP – This National Emphasis program has now been expanded to the following industries: 311812 – Commercial Bakeries 325910 – Printing Ink Manufacturing 321912 – Cut Stock, Resawing Lumber, and Planning 316110 – Leather and Hide Tanning and Finishing 321214 – Truss Manufacturing 424510 – Grain and Field Bean Merchant Wholesalers The NEP was revised after enforcement reports indicated that wood and food products made up over half of the materials involved in combustible dust fires and explosions. Instance-by-Instance Citations – Also in February, OSHA announced a change in how they may handle enforcement to discourage non-compliance. Instead of grouping citations, Regional Administrators and Area Directors can use their authority to cite each instance of non-compliance separately. These will theoretically be reserved for “high gravity,” serious, and repeated viol