OSHA Reaffirms Anti-Preemption Stance In Cranes Rule

OSHA attached language to its final rule on cranes and derricks formalizing its stance that the regulations do not supersede state and local laws and ordinances as long as those codes meet or exceed federal standards. The issue of preemption arose in a recent court case, in which a steel industry group is seeking to have New York City building codes thrown out on the basis of OSH Act preemption -- a claim that prodded the Labor Department to wade into the dispute. The Labor Department has filed an amicus brief in that case (see Inside OSHA, April 26). The long-anticipated rule, published July