Proposed OSHA Regulations Threaten Firearms Industry
Posted: Thu Jul 12, 2007 2:16 pm
Proposed OSHA Regulations Threaten Firearms Industry
WASHINGTON, D.C.—The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the government agency charged with ensuring the safety and health of America’s workers, is proposing new regulations that affect the manufacturing, transportation and storage of small arms ammunition, primers and smokeless propellants.
As written, the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) says OSHA’s proposed regulations could lead to the closure of nearly all ammunition manufacturers and force the cost of small arms ammunition to skyrocket beyond what the market could bear. The NSSF says the cost to comply with the proposed regulations for the ammunition industry, including manufacturers, wholesale distributors and retailers, will be “massive” and will easily exceed $100 million. For example, the NSSF says OSHA is proposing requirements that would force ammunition and smokeless propellant manufacturers to shut down and evacuate a factory whenever a thunderstorm approaches the facility, and customers would not be allowed within 50 feet of any ammunition (displayed or otherwise stored) without first being searched for matches or lighters.
The NSSF says it’s already had a preliminary meeting with OSHA officials to begin the process of explaining the major problems these proposed rules present for all levels of the firearms and ammunition industry. The deadline for submitting written comments on the proposed regulations is September 10.
For more information, visit http://www.nssf.org.
WASHINGTON, D.C.—The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the government agency charged with ensuring the safety and health of America’s workers, is proposing new regulations that affect the manufacturing, transportation and storage of small arms ammunition, primers and smokeless propellants.
As written, the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) says OSHA’s proposed regulations could lead to the closure of nearly all ammunition manufacturers and force the cost of small arms ammunition to skyrocket beyond what the market could bear. The NSSF says the cost to comply with the proposed regulations for the ammunition industry, including manufacturers, wholesale distributors and retailers, will be “massive” and will easily exceed $100 million. For example, the NSSF says OSHA is proposing requirements that would force ammunition and smokeless propellant manufacturers to shut down and evacuate a factory whenever a thunderstorm approaches the facility, and customers would not be allowed within 50 feet of any ammunition (displayed or otherwise stored) without first being searched for matches or lighters.
The NSSF says it’s already had a preliminary meeting with OSHA officials to begin the process of explaining the major problems these proposed rules present for all levels of the firearms and ammunition industry. The deadline for submitting written comments on the proposed regulations is September 10.
For more information, visit http://www.nssf.org.