Tobacco Documents Online

. VSDL: 93-16 CONTACT: Carol Kccain FOR REL?.ASE: IlQiEDIATE OFFICE s 202/219-5a23 THLJRSDAY, JANUARY 14 , 1993 CONTACT: Douglas Fuller OFFICE : 202/219-6027 Department Of Labor United States Office of Information Washington, D.C. 20210 STATEMENT DY sECi1LTARY OF LksOjt LYNN ]RARTIN As part of our commitment to improve vorkplaee health and safety, today I am directing OSHk as soon as possible consistent with applicable statutory requirements and executive orders, to commence rulemaking that addresses the hazards of occupational exposure to secondhand smoke. This is an issue that requires our immsdiate attention. There is a growing body of evidence that exposure to secondhand tobacco smoke is hazardous to the health of nonsmokers. The EPA's report on the effects of passive smoke in the home environment is a major contribution to this evidence. OSHA's Office of Health Standards is currently completing its analysis of.the responses to our recent request for information about issues related to indoor air quality. A qreat deal of the information received in response to that request relates specifically to the hazards of exposure to environmental tobacco smoks in the workplace. OSHA will continue to evaluate this information and the EPA report, and incorporate the material into its consideration of this issue. Tb. action we are taking today is apart from the indoor air quality rulemakinq. The EPA report focuses an the home environment. It raises troubling concerns about the effects of passive smoke. OSAA must examine these concerns and determine how thsy apply to the workplace. So I have asked OSHA to proceed expeditiously and comprehensively. J1s a first step to implement my directive, OSHA will prepare a report for the incoming secretary. This report will discuss the extent of the hazard, describe the rulemakinq alternatives available to the Departm:nt and provide a basis for determining the most effective rulemakinq eourse. -more- ISSUE 39 APPENDIX B

specifically, the report will include an analysis of the evidence in terms of the threshold OSHA must mset in order to regulate. It will also discuss any special pertinent issues, such as means of applying evidence obtained from studies of exposure to tobacco smoke in the home to workplace settings. Our actions should be dictated by scientific evidence, and not by emotions or special interests. This approach allows OSHA to best understand how to move ahead.with a proposed rule. II Th n ormation wi be mavai a e to sensory ~mpa r3 e~- individuals upon request. Voice Phone: 202-219-6060, TDD Message Rsfsrral Phone: 1-800-326-2577. The text of th s re ease is ava a e at no cost to cal er from the Department of Labor electronic bulletin board, LABOR NEWS, at 1-800-597-1221 or locally at 202-219-4784. 300, 1200 or 2400 HATJD; Parity: None; Data Bits - 8; Stop Bit - 1. Voice phone: 202-219-7343.