OSHA to Hold Online Hearing on Emergency Response Proposed Rule

OSHA will host an informal public hearing on the agency’s emergency response proposed rule online beginning at 9:30 a.m. ET on Nov. 12, 2024. According to OSHA’s notice in the Federal Register, members of the public are invited to testify on any topics, issues, or concerns relating to the proposed rule, which the agency intends to replace the existing fire brigades standard (29 Code of Federal Regulations 1910.156). If adopted, the emergency response proposed rule would address the broad range of job hazards faced by modern emergency responders. It would also expand protections to include workers in emergency services other than firefighting, such as emergency medical service providers and technical search and rescue services. The fire brigades standard only covers firefighters and has received only minor updates since it was promulgated in 1980.

The Federal Register notice for the informal public hearing beginning on Nov. 12 explains that, if necessary, the hearing will continue from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. ET on subsequent weekdays. People interested in participating in the hearing must submit a notice of intention to appear on or before Sept. 27. The Federal Register provides additional information on how to participate, as well as on specific information sought by OSHA.

OSHA announced the emergency response proposed rule in a notice of proposed rulemaking published in the Federal Register on Feb. 5. The public comment period was scheduled to end on May 6 but extended first to June 21 and again to July 22 due to numerous requests from stakeholders.

More information on the proposed rulemaking and upcoming public hearing is available on OSHA’s website.