OSHA’s spring 2016 semiannual regulatory agenda, which was published in May, projects that the agency will issue a request for information (RFI) in August to explore the need for a permissible exposure limit (PEL) or comprehensive rule for the solvent 1-bromopropane (1-BP), also known as n-propyl bromide. According to OSHA, 1-BP is an organic solvent used within adhesive formulations and metal surface cleaning operations, and in the dry cleaning industry. The agency previously released a hazard alert with NIOSH warning workers and employers of the dangers of occupational exposure to 1-BP, and in 2014 the National Toxicology Program (NTP) classified 1-BP as “reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen.” Federal OSHA does not currently have a PEL for 1-BP.

Another item of interest from OSHA's latest regulatory agenda is the projected end of the review of the bloodborne pathogen standard, which began in 2009. In October, OSHA plans to issue findings regarding the continued need for the rule; whether it overlaps, duplicates, or conflicts with other federal, state, or local regulations; and the degree to which technology, economic conditions, or other factors may have changed since the rule was evaluated. Plans to initiate the small-business review for OSHA’s combustible dust standard for general industry have also been pushed back to October 2016. 

In addition, MSHA plans to publish a proposed rule to address miners’ exposure to respirable crystalline silica in September 2016. According to the regulatory agenda, MSHA intends to use OSHA’s work on the health effects and risk assessment of silica and adapt it for the mining industry.

The spring 2016 agency rule list, available on DOL's website, includes all of OSHA's rulemaking priorities, as well as the status of rules from other agencies under the Department of Labor.