Status update on the proposed OSHA updates

May 27, 2025

Changes are coming to the fire service.

The Department of Labor’s Occupational Health and Safety Administration released the Emergency Response Standard Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) in early 2024 with request for comments. Since the release of the NPRM, the South Carolina State Firefighters’ Association has remained involved in conversations with industry partners and lawmakers and vigilant in monitoring updates regarding the Emergency Response Standard. The timeline below details actions taken by the Association as it pertains to OSHA 1910.156.

January 2024 — Department of Labor releases the proposed standard
March 2024 — The Executive Committee of the SC Association assigns authors of a position paper
April 2024 — The Executive Committee approves the position paper
April 2024 — The Executive Committee takes the position paper to the federal elected delegation in Washington DC

• Association submitted Position Paper and Formal Response To The Proposed Ruling and Comment Period for the OSHA Regulation

May 2024 — Creation of the web site and education of the membership
May 2024 — The Association creates a fire service study ad-hoc committee from around the state to prepare and respond
June 2024 — The issue is offered at South Carolina Fire-Rescue
July 19, 2024 — The Association posted its official comments
July 22, 2024 — US DOL OSHA public comment period ends
Fall 2024 — The Association enlarges the Ad-Hoc group to include partner/affiliated agencies and organizations
November 7, 2024 — Federal OSHA regulation 1910.156 Statewide Stakeholders Meeting
November 12 through December 4, 2024 — Public testimony on the regulation

• November 19, 2024 - Association provides testimony

January 15, 2025 — Association submitted written reply to public testimony
January 24, 2025 — Stakeholders group meeting during Fire Service Improvement Conference

• State plan is in development

January 29, 2025 — Association submitted Department of Labor Secretary confirmation hearing letter to Senators Graham and Scott
Spring 2025 — The Association's OSHA Ad-Hoc Committee divided into working groups to start a state plan draft. The working groups meet regularly to address the needs of fire, EMS, and private industry in the state plan draft.

If you have questions about the Emergency Response Standard and how it’s impacting South Carolina, please contact Joe Palmer at [email protected].