On September 10, 1996, the Department of Labor Occupational
Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) published proposed revisions
to the means of egress requirements contained in Subpart E, Part
1910. The proposal did not actually change these requirements,
but intended to rewrite existing provisions in plain English.
In addition to changing the name of the Subpart E from "Means
of Egress" (a phrase typically used in building codes) to
"Exit Routes," two alternative versions of the requirements
were presented. The first version was organized in traditional
OSHA format, while the second used a question and answer format.
Traditional OSHA Format Preferred
A total of 59 comments were received on the proposed revisions,
with most preferring the traditional OSHA format. Additionally,
although the intent of the proposal was not to update the requirements,
many comments suggested that OSHA adopt requirements contained
in either the model building codes or the Life Safety Code published
by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).
OSHA Re-Opening Comment Period
OSHA is re-opening the comment period on the proposal and
will accept additional comments postmarked as late as April 14,
1997. A public hearing is scheduled for April 29, 1997. Issues
for the hearing include whether OSHA should reference the model
building codes or NFPA Life Safety Code in its standard; compliance
issues associated with a performance-oriented approach; and numbers
of exits required for a workplace and exit signs. Additional
topics to be addressed at the hearing involve exit illumination,
simplifying terms used in the standard, maintaining current requirements
without imposing new ones and technological feasibility issues.
