OSHA panel meets on respiratory rules
What happened
OSHA’s Advisory Committee on Construction Safety and Health (ACCSH) convened March 31–April 1 to discuss new proposals around respiratory protection and fit‑testing — changes that could add compliance obligations for construction employers. Safety and HR teams should expect potential updates to PPE protocols and inspection routines. (mondaq.com)
Why it matters
ACCSH convened virtually from 1:00–5:00 p.m. Eastern on March 31, 2026 and from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Eastern on April 1, 2026, according to OSHA’s published meeting agendas. (osha.gov) The March 31 agenda lists briefings and committee discussion on “Illumination, Med eval, Rapid Redon” with a scheduled vote and recommendation slot from 4:00–5:00 p.m., indicating action on medical-evaluation and Rapid REDON fit‑testing topics. (osha.gov) The April 1 agenda opens with a 9:00–11:00 a.m. briefing titled “OSHA’s Substance‑Specific Respirator Proposals” followed by multiple committee consideration sessions where recommendations could be developed. (osha.gov) OSHA published a proposed rule on July 1, 2025 that would remove certain medical‑evaluation requirements for filtering facepiece respirators (FFRs) and loose‑fitting powered air‑purifying respirators (PAPRs) in 29 CFR 1910.134. (federalregister.gov) That same proposal states other core Respiratory Protection Standard requirements — hazard assessment, respirator selection, fit testing, training, and maintenance — would remain applicable under the changes. (downloads.regulations.gov) Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez‑DeRemer appointed nine ACCSH members on February 6, 2026, with the roster including employer reps Matthew Lashley, Robert Lilley (chair) and Todd Smith; employee reps Glenn Minyard, George Samuelsen Jr. and Eugene Sicard; and public reps Vince Hundley, Jordan Kozub and Robert Lahey. (govinfo.gov) OSHA’s Federal Register notice for the ACCSH meeting set a written‑comment submission deadline of March 20, 2026 and noted the meetings would be open to the public via WebEx, signaling the end of the formal comment window prior to the committee’s deliberations. (govinfo.gov)
Key numbers
- OSHA’s Advisory Committee on Construction Safety and Health (ACCSH) convened March 31–April 1 to discuss new proposals around respiratory protection and fit‑testing — changes that could add compliance obligations for construction employers.
- (mondaq.com) ACCSH convened virtually from 1:00–5:00 p.m.
- Eastern on March 31, 2026 and from 9:00 a.m.
- Eastern on April 1, 2026, according to OSHA’s published meeting agendas.
What happens next
- (osha.gov) The March 31 agenda lists briefings and committee discussion on “Illumination, Med eval, Rapid Redon” with a scheduled vote and recommendation slot from 4:00–5:00 p.m., indicating action on medical-evaluation and Rapid REDON fit‑testing topics.
- briefing titled “OSHA’s Substance‑Specific Respirator Proposals” followed by multiple committee consideration sessions where recommendations could be developed.
- (govinfo.gov) OSHA’s Advisory Committee on Construction Safety and Health (ACCSH) convened March 31–April 1 to discuss new proposals around respiratory protection and fit‑testing — changes that could add compliance obligations for construction employers.
Quick answers
What happened in OSHA panel meets on respiratory rules?
OSHA’s Advisory Committee on Construction Safety and Health (ACCSH) convened March 31–April 1 to discuss new proposals around respiratory protection and fit‑testing — changes that could add compliance obligations for construction employers. Safety and HR teams should expect potential updates to PPE protocols and inspection routines. (mondaq.com)
Why does OSHA panel meets on respiratory rules matter?
ACCSH convened virtually from 1:00–5:00 p.m. Eastern on March 31, 2026 and from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Eastern on April 1, 2026, according to OSHA’s published meeting agendas. (osha.gov) The March 31 agenda lists briefings and committee discussion on “Illumination, Med eval, Rapid Redon” with a scheduled vote and recommendation slot from 4:00–5:00 p.m., indicating action on medical-evaluation and Rapid REDON fit‑testing topics. (osha.gov) The April 1 agenda opens with a 9:00–11:00 a.m. briefing titled “OSHA’s Substance‑Specific Respirator Proposals” followed by multiple committee consideration sessions where recommendations could be developed. (osha.gov) OSHA published a proposed rule on July 1, 2025 that would remove certain medical‑evaluation requirements for filtering facepiece respirators (FFRs) and loose‑fitting powered air‑purifying respirators (PAPRs) in 29 CFR 1910.134. (federalregister.gov) That same proposal states other core Respiratory Protection Standard requirements — hazard assessment, respirator selection, fit testing, training, and maintenance — would remain applicable under the changes. (downloads.regulations.gov) Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez‑DeRemer appointed nine ACCSH members on February 6, 2026, with the roster including employer reps Matthew Lashley, Robert Lilley (chair) and Todd Smith; employee reps Glenn Minyard, George Samuelsen Jr. and Eugene Sicard; and public reps Vince Hundley, Jordan Kozub and Robert Lahey. (govinfo.gov) OSHA’s Federal Register notice for the ACCSH meeting set a written‑comment submission deadline of March 20, 2026 and noted the meetings would be open to the public via WebEx, signaling the end of the formal comment window prior to the committee’s deliberations. (govinfo.gov)
