OMB reviewing proposed rule on reinforced concrete

Washington – OSHA’s proposed rule on reinforced concrete in construction was received for review by the Office of Management and Budget on July 8. The rule is intended to prevent employee deaths and injuries from work related to post-tensioning and reinforcing steel.

According to OSHA, 31 workers died between 2000 and 2009 while performing work on or near post-tensioning operations or reinforced steel. Injuries stemmed from unsafe materials handling, structural collapse and impalement by protracting reinforced steel dowels, the agency said.

Because the use of reinforced steel is expected to increase, OSHA said the rate of incidents likely will rise without adequate standards.

In a July 11 webchat regarding OSHA’s newly released regulatory agenda, agency staff said they hoped the OMB process would be completed by late summer; the agency would then issue an advance notice of proposed rulemaking “as soon as possible.” OMB’s review could take as long as 90 days.