Preventing Occupational Hearing Loss: Stakeholder Meeting, 62093-62094 [2011-25904]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 194 / Thursday, October 6, 2011 / Notices concerning the Commission may also be obtained by accessing its Internet server at https://www.usitc.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On July 6, 2011, the Commission published a notice of proposed rulemaking concerning its rules on filing, and a notice that it proposed to issue a Handbook on Electronic Filing Procedures. The Commission sought public comment on these initiatives. Comments were received, and have been taken into account in the preparation of the final version of the Handbook. The comments and the Commission’s responses to the comments are set out in the notice of final rulemaking that is being published concurrently with this notice. The Commission now gives notice that a final version of the Handbook is being issued, and that it will go into effect at the same time as the revised rules. Once the Handbook is in effect, persons seeking to file documents will be required to comply with the revised Handbook on Filing Procedures, which will supersede the Commission’s current Handbook on Electronic Filing Procedures. The final version of the Handbook on Filing Procedures is available on the Commission’s Web site, at https://edis.usitc.gov. Issued: September 29, 2011. By Order of the Commission. James R. Holbein, Secretary to the Commission. [FR Doc. 2011–25645 Filed 10–5–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7020–02–P DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Occupational Safety and Health Administration Preventing Occupational Hearing Loss: Stakeholder Meeting Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Labor. ACTION: Notice of public meeting. AGENCY: OSHA invites interested parties to participate in an informal stakeholder meeting on preventing occupational hearing loss. Every year, between 20,000 and 25,000 workers suffer from preventable hearing loss due to high workplace noise levels. The purpose of this meeting is to provide a forum and gather information on the best practices for noise reduction in the workplace, including a discussion on personal protective equipment, hearing conservation programs and engineering controls. OSHA is holding this stakeholder meeting as part of its mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:07 Oct 05, 2011 Jkt 226001 commitment to work with stakeholders on approaches to preventing occupational hearing loss. DATES: The date for the stakeholder meeting is November 03, 2011, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. est., in Washington, DC. The deadline for registration to attend or participate in the meeting is October 27, 2011. ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held in the Francis Perkins Building, U.S. Department of Labor, Room N–4437 A/ B/C/D, at 200 Constitution Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20210. The nearest Metro station is Judiciary Square (Red Line). Photo ID is required to enter the building. Registration to attend or participate in the meeting: To participate in the November 03, 2011 stakeholder meeting, or be a nonparticipating observer, you must register electronically, by phone, or by facsimile by close of business on October 27, 2011. Electronically: https:// www2.ergweb.com/projects/ conferences/osha/register-oshastakeholder.htm. By Phone: Please call 781–674–7374. Facsimile: Fax your request to (781) 674–2906. Registrants should label their faxes as: ‘‘Attention: OSHA Preventing Occupational Hearing Loss: Stakeholder Meeting.’’ When registering please indicate the following: (1) Name, address, phone, fax, and e-mail address; (2) Organization for which you work; and, (3) Organization you will represent (if different). The meeting will last 4 hours, and be limited to approximately 30 participants. OSHA will do its best to accommodate all persons who wish to participate. OSHA encourages persons and groups having similar interests to consolidate their information and participate through a single representative. Members of the general public may observe, but not participate in, the meetings as space permits. OSHA staff will be present to take part in the discussions. Eastern Research Group (ERG), Inc., (110 Hartwell Avenue, Lexington, MA 02421), will manage logistics for the meetings, provide a facilitator, and compile notes summarizing the discussion. These notes will not identify individual speakers. The summary notes will be available for review at https:// www.osha.gov. OSHA will confirm participants to ensure a fair representation of interests and a wide range of viewpoints. Nonparticipating observers who do not register for the meeting will be PO 00000 Frm 00059 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 62093 accommodated as space permits. Electronic copies of this Federal Register notice, as well as news releases and other relevant documents, are available on the OSHA Web page at: https://www.osha.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Frank Meilinger, Director, OSHA Office of Communications, Room N–3647, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20210; telephone: (202) 693–1999; e-mail: Meilinger.Francis2@dol.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Background Noise-related hearing loss has been listed as one of the most prevalent occupational health concerns in the United States for more than 25 years. Every year between 20,000 and 25,000 workers suffer from preventable hearing loss due to high workplace noise levels. The Bureau of Labor Statistics has reported that nearly 125,000 workers have suffered significant, permanent hearing loss since 2004. Neither surgery nor a hearing aid can help correct this type of hearing loss. On October 19, 2010, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) published in the Federal Register (FR) a proposed interpretation titled ‘‘Interpretation of OSHA’s Provisions for Feasible Administrative or Engineering Controls of Occupational Noise’’ (https:// www.edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/ 2010–26135.htm). The proposed interpretation would have clarified the term ‘‘feasible administrative or engineering controls’’ as used in OSHA’s noise standard. This FR notice requested comments on the proposal to clarify that the word ‘‘feasible’’ has its ordinary, plain meaning of ‘‘capable of being done.’’ Comments were due December 20, 2010; however, in response to several requests from the regulated community, OSHA extended the comment period by 90 days to March 21, 2010. Over 90 comments were received in response to this proposed interpretation. OSHA stated that it would review all of the comments before making its final decision. The proposed interpretation was subsequently withdrawn on January 19, 2011, (https://www.osha.gov/pls/ oshaweb/owadisp.show_document? p_table=NEWS_ RELEASES&p_id=19119). OSHA decided to suspend work on the proposal in order to conduct an education, outreach and consultation initiative on preventing work-related hearing loss. As part of the agency’s E:\FR\FM\06OCN1.SGM 06OCN1 62094 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 194 / Thursday, October 6, 2011 / Notices initiative, the agency committed to holding a stakeholder meeting on preventing occupational hearing loss to elicit the views of employers, workers, and noise control and public health professionals. The meeting announced in this notice fulfills this commitment. II. Stakeholder Meeting The stakeholder meeting announced in this notice will be conducted as a group discussion on views, concerns, and issues surrounding the hazards of occupational exposure to noise and how best to control them. To facilitate as much group interaction as possible, formal presentations by stakeholders will not be permitted. The stakeholder meeting discussions will center on preventing occupational hearing loss and will include such subjects as the use of personal protective equipment, effective hearing conservation programs and the use of feasible engineering controls to control noise exposure in the workplace. The discussions will focus on topics such as noise control challenges and the best practices in construction, general industry and other sectors where noise is a hazard. The specific issues to be discussed will include the following: • What are the best practices regarding hearing conservation programs? • What are the best practices for, as well as concerns with, using personal protective equipment for noise control? • What are the best practices for using feasible engineering controls? • What are examples of companies that have effective noise control programs and what are the key elements of their programs? Authority and Signature This document was prepared under the direction of Dr. David Michaels, Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health. Signed at Washington, DC, on October 3, 2011. David Michaels, Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health. [FR Doc. 2011–25904 Filed 10–5–11; 8:45 am] given that a meeting of the National Council on the Arts will be held on October 28, 2011 in Room M–09 at the Nancy Hanks Center, 1100 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20506. This meeting, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. (ending time is approximate), will be open to the public on a space available basis. The meeting will include opening remarks by the Chairman and swearingin of new Council member Aaron Dworkin. This will be followed by presentations on opera, the Artists in the Workforce research study, and festivals. After these presentations, the Council will review and vote on guidelines and recommendations for funding applications, and will adjourn following concluding remarks. If, in the course of the open session discussion, it becomes necessary for the Council to discuss non-public commercial or financial information of intrinsic value, the Council will go into closed session pursuant to subsection (c)(4) of the Government in the Sunshine Act, 5 U.S.C. 552b. Additionally, discussion concerning purely personal information about individuals, submitted with grant applications, such as personal biographical and salary data or medical information, may be conducted by the Council in closed session in accordance with subsection (c)(6) of 5 U.S.C. 552b. Any interested persons may attend, as observers, Council discussions and reviews that are open to the public. If you need special accommodations due to a disability, please contact the Office of AccessAbility, National Endowment for the Arts, 1100 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20506, 202/682– 5532, TTY–TDD 202/682–5429, at least seven (7) days prior to the meeting. Further information with reference to this meeting can be obtained from the Office of Communications, National Endowment for the Arts, Washington, DC 20506, at 202/682–5570. Dated: October 3, 2011. Kathy Plowitz-Worden, Panel Coordinator, Office of Guidelines and Panel Operations. [FR Doc. 2011–25869 Filed 10–5–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7537–01–P mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES BILLING CODE 4510–29–P NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION NATIONAL FOUNDATION FOR THE ARTS AND THE HUMANITIES Notice of Permit Modification Issued Under the Antarctic Conservation Act of 1978 National Endowment for the Arts; National Council on the Arts 174th Meeting Pursuant to section 10(a)(2) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (Pub. L. 92–463), as amended, notice is hereby VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:07 Oct 05, 2011 Jkt 226001 National Science Foundation. ACTION: Notice of permit modification issued under the Antarctic Conservation Act of 1978, Public Law 95–541. AGENCY: PO 00000 Frm 00060 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 9990 The National Science Foundation (NSF) is required to publish notice of permit modifications issued under the Antarctic Conservation Act of 1978. This is the required notice. SUMMARY: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nadene G. Kennedy, Permit Office, Office of Polar Programs, Rm. 755, National Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22230. On August 12, 2011, the National Science Foundation published a notice in the Federal Register of a permit modification received. The permit modification was issued on September 30, 2011 to: SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: David Ainley, Permit No. 2011–002 M#1. Nadene G. Kennedy, Permit Officer. [FR Doc. 2011–25798 Filed 10–5–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7555–01–P NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION Notice of Permit Modification Issued Under the Antarctic Conservation Act of 1978 AGENCY: National Science Foundation. Notice of permit issued under the Antarctic Conservation Act of 1978, Public Law 95–541. ACTION: The National Science Foundation (NSF) is required to publish notice of permits issued under the Antarctic Conservation Act of 1978. This is the required notice. SUMMARY: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nadene G. Kennedy, Permit Office, Office of Polar Programs, Rm. 755, National Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22230. On August 8th and August 22, 2011, the National Science Foundation published notices in the Federal Register of permit applications received. Permits were issued on September 29, 2011 to: SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: George Watters, Permit No. 2012 WM– 001. George Watters, Permit No. 2012 WM– 001. Nadene G. Kennedy, Permit Officer. [FR Doc. 2011–25799 Filed 10–5–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7555–01–P E:\FR\FM\06OCN1.SGM 06OCN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 194 (Thursday, October 6, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 62093-62094]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-25904]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Occupational Safety and Health Administration


Preventing Occupational Hearing Loss: Stakeholder Meeting

AGENCY: Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Labor.

ACTION: Notice of public meeting.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: OSHA invites interested parties to participate in an informal 
stakeholder meeting on preventing occupational hearing loss. Every 
year, between 20,000 and 25,000 workers suffer from preventable hearing 
loss due to high workplace noise levels. The purpose of this meeting is 
to provide a forum and gather information on the best practices for 
noise reduction in the workplace, including a discussion on personal 
protective equipment, hearing conservation programs and engineering 
controls. OSHA is holding this stakeholder meeting as part of its 
commitment to work with stakeholders on approaches to preventing 
occupational hearing loss.

DATES: The date for the stakeholder meeting is November 03, 2011, from 
9 a.m. to 1 p.m. est., in Washington, DC. The deadline for registration 
to attend or participate in the meeting is October 27, 2011.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held in the Francis Perkins Building, 
U.S. Department of Labor, Room N-4437 A/B/C/D, at 200 Constitution 
Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20210. The nearest Metro station is Judiciary 
Square (Red Line). Photo ID is required to enter the building.
    Registration to attend or participate in the meeting: To 
participate in the November 03, 2011 stakeholder meeting, or be a 
nonparticipating observer, you must register electronically, by phone, 
or by facsimile by close of business on October 27, 2011.
    Electronically: https://www2.ergweb.com/projects/conferences/osha/register-osha-stakeholder.htm.
    By Phone: Please call 781-674-7374.
    Facsimile: Fax your request to (781) 674-2906. Registrants should 
label their faxes as: ``Attention: OSHA Preventing Occupational Hearing 
Loss: Stakeholder Meeting.''
    When registering please indicate the following: (1) Name, address, 
phone, fax, and e-mail address; (2) Organization for which you work; 
and, (3) Organization you will represent (if different).
    The meeting will last 4 hours, and be limited to approximately 30 
participants. OSHA will do its best to accommodate all persons who wish 
to participate. OSHA encourages persons and groups having similar 
interests to consolidate their information and participate through a 
single representative. Members of the general public may observe, but 
not participate in, the meetings as space permits. OSHA staff will be 
present to take part in the discussions.
    Eastern Research Group (ERG), Inc., (110 Hartwell Avenue, 
Lexington, MA 02421), will manage logistics for the meetings, provide a 
facilitator, and compile notes summarizing the discussion. These notes 
will not identify individual speakers. The summary notes will be 
available for review at https://www.osha.gov.
    OSHA will confirm participants to ensure a fair representation of 
interests and a wide range of viewpoints. Nonparticipating observers 
who do not register for the meeting will be accommodated as space 
permits. Electronic copies of this Federal Register notice, as well as 
news releases and other relevant documents, are available on the OSHA 
Web page at: https://www.osha.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Frank Meilinger, Director, OSHA Office 
of Communications, Room N-3647, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 
Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20210; telephone: (202) 693-
1999; e-mail: Meilinger.Francis2@dol.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Background

    Noise-related hearing loss has been listed as one of the most 
prevalent occupational health concerns in the United States for more 
than 25 years. Every year between 20,000 and 25,000 workers suffer from 
preventable hearing loss due to high workplace noise levels. The Bureau 
of Labor Statistics has reported that nearly 125,000 workers have 
suffered significant, permanent hearing loss since 2004. Neither 
surgery nor a hearing aid can help correct this type of hearing loss.
    On October 19, 2010, the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational 
Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) published in the Federal 
Register (FR) a proposed interpretation titled ``Interpretation of 
OSHA's Provisions for Feasible Administrative or Engineering Controls 
of Occupational Noise'' (https://www.edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/2010-26135.htm). The proposed interpretation would have clarified the term 
``feasible administrative or engineering controls'' as used in OSHA's 
noise standard. This FR notice requested comments on the proposal to 
clarify that the word ``feasible'' has its ordinary, plain meaning of 
``capable of being done.'' Comments were due December 20, 2010; 
however, in response to several requests from the regulated community, 
OSHA extended the comment period by 90 days to March 21, 2010. Over 90 
comments were received in response to this proposed interpretation. 
OSHA stated that it would review all of the comments before making its 
final decision.
    The proposed interpretation was subsequently withdrawn on January 
19, 2011, (https://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=NEWS_RELEASES&p_id=19119). OSHA decided to suspend work on the 
proposal in order to conduct an education, outreach and consultation 
initiative on preventing work-related hearing loss. As part of the 
agency's

[[Page 62094]]

initiative, the agency committed to holding a stakeholder meeting on 
preventing occupational hearing loss to elicit the views of employers, 
workers, and noise control and public health professionals. The meeting 
announced in this notice fulfills this commitment.

II. Stakeholder Meeting

    The stakeholder meeting announced in this notice will be conducted 
as a group discussion on views, concerns, and issues surrounding the 
hazards of occupational exposure to noise and how best to control them. 
To facilitate as much group interaction as possible, formal 
presentations by stakeholders will not be permitted. The stakeholder 
meeting discussions will center on preventing occupational hearing loss 
and will include such subjects as the use of personal protective 
equipment, effective hearing conservation programs and the use of 
feasible engineering controls to control noise exposure in the 
workplace. The discussions will focus on topics such as noise control 
challenges and the best practices in construction, general industry and 
other sectors where noise is a hazard. The specific issues to be 
discussed will include the following:
     What are the best practices regarding hearing conservation 
programs?
     What are the best practices for, as well as concerns with, 
using personal protective equipment for noise control?
     What are the best practices for using feasible engineering 
controls?
     What are examples of companies that have effective noise 
control programs and what are the key elements of their programs?

Authority and Signature

    This document was prepared under the direction of Dr. David 
Michaels, Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and 
Health.

    Signed at Washington, DC, on October 3, 2011.
David Michaels,
Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health.
[FR Doc. 2011-25904 Filed 10-5-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-29-P
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