Missed the Small Business Labor Safety (OSHA/MSHA) Roundtable hosted by the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Office of Advocacy? Don’t worry; we’ve got you covered. Here’s a recap of the event, along with important resources and links to key presentations from public and private sector perspectives.

Overview:

The Small Business Labor Safety (OSHA/MSHA) Roundtable was held on Friday, July 12, 2024, from 10 a.m.- noon. Initially scheduled for July 19, 2024, the date was moved up a week due to the comment period for OSHA’s proposed Emergency Response rule closing on Monday, July 22, 2024. The meeting was conducted via Teams.

The agenda included discussions on OSHA’s proposed Emergency Response rule and the newly released Heat Injury and Illness Prevention Programs rule. The roundtable also touched upon the potential ramifications of the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent decision in Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo, repealing Chevron deference, which traditionally deferred to administrative agencies’ interpretations of ambiguous statutes.

Agenda and Presentations:

Small Business Labor Safety (OSHA/MSHA) Roundtable: July 12, 2024

• Presentation 1: OSHA Heat Injury and Illness Prevention Programs
  • Presented by Bill Wahoff, Steptoe & Johnson, PLLC
• Presentation 2: Proposed OSHA Emergency Response Rule – What Does It Mean?
  • Presented by David C. Denniston, Chief, Courtlandville (NY) Fire Department, Vice President, Association of Fire Districts of the State of New York, and Officer, National Volunteer Fire Council
• Presentation 3: Proposed OSHA Emergency Response Rule: Overview and Scope
  • Presented by Beeta Lashkari, Attorney, OSHA Practice Group, Conn Maciel Carey LLP
• Presentation 4: Community Assessment and Challenges
  • Presented by Jason Jantzi, Senior Risk Management Consultant, Special Districts Association of Oregon
• Presentation 5: Presentation on Chevron and Loper Bright
  • Presented by Manesh Rath, Keller & Heckman, LLP

Important Links:

• Take Action and Alerts – Association of Fire Districts of the State of New York
• OSHA’s Emergency Response webpage, which includes:
  • Emergency Response proposed rule
  • SBREFA panel report
  • NACOSH Subcommittee report
  • Questions and issues for comment document
  • USFA/OSHA webinar by Andrew Levinson, Director of OSHA’s Directorate of Standards and Guidance, about the proposed rule
• OSHA’s Heat Injury and Illness Prevention Programs webpage, which includes the Heat IIPP SBREFA panel report, background materials, and link to the proposed rule

ABMA extends its sincerest gratitude to the presenters and participants for their invaluable contributions. Your insights and engagement make events like these truly impactful. Special thanks to Bruce E. Lundegren, SBA Office of Advocacy Assistant Chief Counsel, for his continued engagement with ABMA and for lending LBM a voice in these important discussions. For more information, please reach out to info@abmalliance.org.