Agency Floats General Duty, Control Banding Options To Tackle Chemical Exposure Levels

OSHA chief David Michaels is asking workplace health experts to advise the agency on several conceptual options to address what the agency believes are outdated permissible exposure limits (PELs): eliminating Z-tables in favor of control banding; using the OSH Act general duty clause in cases where employers may know exposure levels are too high; requiring levels consistent with manufacturers' advice; and requiring employers to evaluate exposure scenarios under the European chemical hazard regulatory regime.