OSHA Says Hazcom Rule, Hewing To Obama Policy, Will Not Preempt State Tort Law

OSHA's new hazard communication rule (hazcom) does not preempt state tort laws under which lawsuits over alleged hazardous chemical exposures are filed, conforming to the broad policy on federal preemption outlined early on by the Obama administration, the agency says. The agency resisted calls from some industry stakeholders to add language stating that OSHA is preempting state personal injury suits alleging that labels provided inadequate warnings. While organized labor praises OSHA's stance because it appears not to let the new federal rule disrupt such lawsuits under state tort law, an ind