OSHA Heeds Sen. Moran & Colleagues’ Call to Protect Volunteer Firefighters from Burdensome Regulations

WASHINGTON – This week, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) responded to calls from Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) and his colleagues to reevaluate and exempt volunteer fire departments from parts of a proposed rule that would put burdensome regulations on volunteer fire departments across the country.

“Volunteer fire departments and rural communities have made their voices heard, and I am pleased OSHA has listened and is reevaluating the proposed rule,” said Sen. Moran. “This is a great first step, and I encourage Kansans to continue sharing their views with OSHA on how this rule would place a financial burden on volunteer fire departments.”

OSHA proposed a new rule earlier this year that would require fire departments to furnish new reports, trainings, equipment and health services.

In August, Sen. Moran led his colleagues in calling on the Acting Secretary of the Department of Labor, Julie Su, to exempt volunteer fire departments from parts of a proposed rule. The senator was joined by Sens. Chris Coons (D-Del.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Angus King (I-Maine), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) and Tom Cotton (R-Ark.).

This week, OSHA issued a statement that it is reevaluating the financial and regulatory impact the rule would have on volunteer firefighters.

The statement read: “OSHA has received comments in response to the [Notice of Proposed Rulemaking] NPRM from many stakeholders, including volunteer emergency responders, fire chiefs, trade organizations, and members of Congress, which raise serious concerns about the economic feasibility of the proposed standard for volunteer fire departments. OSHA takes these concerns seriously. This new information will help the agency make the necessary determinations about whether the proposed standard is feasible for volunteer organizations”

The statement continued: “OSHA is committed to taking steps in any final standard, consistent with the rulemaking record, to assess and minimize detrimental effects on volunteer fire departments. If supported by the record, this may include excluding voluntary emergency response organizations entirely based on these feasibility concerns.”

OSHA will hold a public rulemaking hearing on Nov. 12, 2024, and stakeholders are encouraged to provide comment for the hearing. Instructions for how to participate in the hearing are available on the Emergency Response rulemaking webpage, www.osha.gov/emergency-response/rulemaking.