White House completes review of OSHA rule on confined spaces in construction

Washington – The Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs on April 3 completed its review of OSHA’s Confined Spaces in Construction Standard, paving the way for the final rule to move forward.

OIRA, part of the White House’s Office of Management and Budget, received the rule for review Nov. 14. The review process is limited to 90 days, but can be extended.

The rule has been in the works for more than a decade. An OIRA review is one of the last steps a federal agency must take before it can publish a final rule. According to OSHA’s timetable, the confined spaces final rule was originally scheduled for publication in March.

OSHA already has a rule for confined spaces in general industry and shipyards.