OSHA will withdraw its direct final rule for updating OSHA standards that are based on national consensus standards and industry standards. The announcement appears in the Feb. 18 Federal Register.

On Nov. 24, 2004, OSHA said that it is engaging in an overall effort to update OSHA standards that reference or include language taken directly from outdated consensus standards. This included a proposed direct final rule to revoke references to outdated industry and consensus standards.

As part of the direct final rule approach, OSHA also published a proposed rule in the same Federal Register notice. The agency stated that if significant adverse comments were received, they would withdraw the direct final rule.

OSHA has determined that a comment received will be treated as a significant adverse comment. It will address comments on the direct final and proposed rules in a new final rule, which the agency expects to issue shortly.

OSHA will not institute a second comment period.