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Trade News Release
Tuesday, March 23, 1999
Contact: Bill Wright (202) 693-1999

Revision is agency's first plain language final standard

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) published its first plain language final rule today, a move it says will enhance employee protection because employers and employees will better understand federal requirements for dipping and coating operations.

"We serve American worker's interest much better when we can communicate simply and clearly about their safety and health on the job," said OSHA Administrator Charles N. Jeffress. "Simple language leads to better understanding and, ultimately, improved workplace safety and health."

The revised dip tank standard, designed to protect employees from fire, explosion and toxic hazards associated with that work, was rewritten into a question-and-answer format. All future OSHA rules will be written in plain language using straightforward and easy-to-understand terms.

The new standard is shorter, provides employers more compliance options without increasing the risk of injury to employees and is more consistent with the latest National Fire Protection Association standard.

The revised rule, however, does not change the substantive requirements for dip tanks or the regulatory burden placed on employers. It does not impose any additional requirements on the employer, nor does it reduce the safety and health protection afforded to employees.

The dip tank standard revision, proposed last April, is one of two plain language projects undertaken by the agency as a result of the Administration's Reinventing Government initiative. (The workplace emergency route standard, first proposed in September 1996, remains under review).

OSHA began a detailed review of its standards, and committed the agency to eliminate those found to be unnecessary, duplicative or inconsistent, and to rewrite those that were complex and outdated. The dip tank standard and the workplace emergency route standard were identified by that review as needing revision.

The dip tank standard is published in the March 23, 1999 Federal Register. The effective date for the final rule is April 22, 1999.

Information on this news release will be made available to sensory impaired individuals upon request. Voice phone: 202-693-1999.