The Crystalline Silica rule is a top priority for the current administration, and there is little doubt from multiple sources that a final rule will be passed before Obama leaves office.  In addition to passing the Crystalline Silica rule, OSHA states their rulemaking priorities include confined spaces in construction, walking and working surfaces, beryllium, continued updates to recordkeeping, and infectious diseases.  Another long term goal - updates to outdated chemical PELs.  Some PELs date back to the 1960s, before the OSH Act was written.  It's more than likely not on the agenda for 2016, but OSHA hopes to update the Process Safety Management rule and other chemical standards.  Although we may not see a final rule on all of these topics there is potential for proposed rules or guidance documents to be published.

Two standards that seem to be riding off into the sunset are a Federal Injury Illness and Prevention program (more commonly referred to as I2P2) and Combustible Dust.  According to an article in Safety + Health magazine, experts agree that neither of these standards will be passed in the coming year.  Once a hot item for the Obama Administration, I2P2 would be a major rule that would affect all employers.  OSHA only has the resources to pass one to two major rules at a time, and feels they will have greater success with silica.   There are a number of stakeholders that continue to push for a Combustible Dust rule.  We are more likely to see a proposed rule before next January, with the future of the rule depending on Obama's successor.