Standard on Vinyl Chloride; Extension of the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) Approval of Information Collection (Paperwork) Requirements, 76766-76768 [2011-31492]
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76766
Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 236 / Thursday, December 8, 2011 / Notices
Total
respondents
Form
Totals 2 ............................................................................
14,185
Frequency
.....................
Total
responses
15,505
Average time
per response
(in minutes)
........................
Estimated total
burden (in
minutes)
13,853
1 The
number of respondents for the Mother Supplement (560) is less than the number of responses (630) because mothers are asked to provide separate responses for each of the biological children with whom they reside. The total number of responses for the Mother Supplement
(630) is more than the number for the Child Supplement (615) because the number of children completing the Child Supplement is lower due to
age restrictions and nonresponse.
2 The total number of 14,185 respondents across all the survey instruments is a mutually exclusive count that does not include: (1) the 200 reinterview respondents, who were previously counted among the 7,550 main survey respondents, (2) the 560 Mother Supplement respondents,
who were previously counted among the main survey respondents, and (3) the 490 Child SAQ respondents, who were previously counted
among the 615 Child Supplement respondents.
Total Burden Cost (capital/startup):
$0.
Total Burden Cost (operating/
maintenance): $0.
Comments submitted in response to
this notice will be summarized and/or
included in the request for Office of
Management and Budget approval of the
information collection request; they also
will become a matter of public record.
Signed at Washington, DC this 5th day of
December 2011.
Kimberley D. Hill,
Chief, Division of Management Systems,
Bureau of Labor Statistics.
[FR Doc. 2011–31525 Filed 12–7–11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510–24–P
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Occupational Safety and Health
Administration
[Docket No. OSHA–2011–0196]
Standard on Vinyl Chloride; Extension
of the Office of Management and
Budget’s (OMB) Approval of
Information Collection (Paperwork)
Requirements
Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (OSHA), Labor.
ACTION: Request for public comments.
AGENCY:
OSHA solicits public
comments concerning its proposal to
extend the Office of Management and
Budget’s (OMB) approval of the
information collection requirements
specified in the Standard on Vinyl
Chloride (29 CFR 1910.1017).
DATES: Comments must be submitted
(postmarked, sent, or received) by
February 6, 2012.
ADDRESSES:
Electronically: You may submit
comments and attachments
electronically at https://
www.regulations.gov, which is the
Federal eRulemaking Portal. Follow the
instructions online for submitting
comments.
Facsimile: If your comments,
including attachments, are not longer
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SUMMARY:
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than 10 pages, you may fax them to the
OSHA Docket Office at (202) 693–1648.
Mail, hand delivery, express mail,
messenger, or courier service: When
using this method, you must submit
your comments and attachments to the
OSHA Docket Office, Docket No.
OSHA–2011–0196, Occupational Safety
and Health Administration, U.S.
Department of Labor, Room N–2625,
200 Constitution Avenue NW.,
Washington, DC 20210. Deliveries
(hand, express mail, messenger, and
courier service) are accepted during the
Department of Labor’s and Docket
Office’s normal business hours, 8:15
a.m. to 4:45 p.m., e.t.
Instructions: All submissions must
include the Agency name and OSHA
docket number (OSHA–2011–0196) for
the Information Collection Request
(ICR). All comments, including any
personal information you provide, are
placed in the public docket without
change, and may be made available
online at https://www.regulations.gov.
For further information on submitting
comments see the ‘‘Public
Participation’’ heading in the section of
this notice titled SUPPLEMENTARY
INFORMATION.
Docket: To read or download
comments or other material in the
docket, go to https://www.regulations.gov
or the OSHA Docket Office at the
address above. All documents in the
docket (including this Federal Register
notice) are listed in the https://
www.regulations.gov index; however,
some information (e.g., copyrighted
material) is not publicly available to
read or download from the Web site. All
submissions, including copyrighted
material, are available for inspection
and copying at the OSHA Docket Office.
You also may contact Theda Kenney at
the address below to obtain a copy of
the ICR.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Theda Kenney, Directorate of Standards
and Guidance, OSHA, U.S. Department
of Labor, Room N–3609, 200
Constitution Avenue NW., Washington,
DC 20210; telephone (202) 693–2222.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
PO 00000
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Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
I. Background
The Department of Labor, as part of its
continuing effort to reduce paperwork
and respondent (i.e., employer) burden,
conducts a preclearance consultation
program to provide the public with an
opportunity to comment on proposed
and continuing information collection
requirements in accordance with the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA
95) (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)). This
program ensures that information is in
the desired format, reporting burden
(time and costs) is minimal, collection
instruments are clearly understood, and
OSHA’s estimate of the information
collection burden is accurate. The
Occupational Safety and Health Act of
1970 (the OSH Act) (29 U.S.C. 651 et
seq.) authorizes information collection
by employers as necessary or
appropriate for enforcement of the OSH
Act or for developing information
regarding the causes and prevention of
occupational injuries, illnesses, and
accidents (29 U.S.C. 657). The OSH Act
also requires that OSHA obtain such
information with minimum burden
upon employers, especially those
operating small businesses, and to
reduce, to the maximum extent feasible,
unnecessary duplication of efforts in
obtaining information (29 U.S.C. 657).
The Standard specifies a number of
paperwork requirements. The following
is a brief description of the collection of
information requirements contained in
the Vinyl Chloride (VC) Standard.
(A) Exposure Monitoring (§ 1910.1017(d)
and § 1910.1017(n))
Paragraph 1910.1017(d)(2) requires
employers to conduct exposure
monitoring at least quarterly if the
results show that worker exposures are
above the permissible exposure limit
(PEL), while those exposed at or above
the action level (AL) must be monitored
no less than semiannually. Paragraph
(d)(3) requires that employers perform
additional monitoring whenever there
has been a change in VC production,
processes or control that may result in
an increase in the release of VC.
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Paragraph 1910.1017(n) requires
employers to inform each worker of
their exposure-monitoring results
within 15 working days after the
employer receives these results.
Employers may notify workers either
individually in writing or by posting the
monitoring results in an appropriate
location that is accessible to the
workers. In addition, if the exposuremonitoring results show that a worker’s
exposure exceeds the PEL, the employer
must inform the exposed worker of the
corrective action the employer is taking
to prevent such overexposure.
(B) Written Compliance Plan
(§§ 1910.1017(f)(2) and (f)(3))
Paragraph (f)(2) requires employers
whose engineering and work practice
controls cannot sufficiently reduce
worker VC exposures to a level at or
below the PEL to develop and
implement a plan for doing so.
Paragraph (f)(3) requires employers to
develop this written plan and provide it
upon request to OSHA for examination
and copying. These plans must be
updated annually.
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
(C) Respiratory Program
(§ 1910.1017(g)(2))
When respirators are required, the
employer must establish a respiratory
protection program in accordance with
1910.134, paragraphs (b) through (d)
(except (d)(1)(iii) and (d)(3)(iii)(B)(1)
and (2)) and (f) through (m). Paragraph
1910.134(c) requires the employer to
develop and implement a written
respiratory protection program with
worksite-specific procedures and
elements for respirator use. The purpose
of these requirements is to ensure that
employers establish a standardized
procedure for selecting, using, and
maintaining respirators for each
workplace where respirators will be
used. Developing written procedures
ensures that employers develop a
respirator program that meets the needs
of their workers.
(D) Emergency Plan (§ 1910.1017(i))
Employers must develop a written
operational plan for dealing with
emergencies; the plan must address the
storage, handling, and use of VC as a
liquid or compressed gas. In the event
of an emergency, appropriate elements
of the plan must be implemented.
Emergency plans must maximize
workers’ personal protection and
minimize the hazards of an emergency.
(E) Medical Surveillance
(§ 1910.1017(k))
Paragraph (k) requires employers to
develop a medical surveillance program
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15:59 Dec 07, 2011
Jkt 226001
for workers exposed to VC in excess of
the Action Level. Examinations must be
provided in accordance with this
paragraph at least annually. Employers
must also obtain, and provide to each
worker, a copy of a physician’s
statement regarding the worker’s
suitability for continued exposure to
VC, including use of protective
equipment and respirators, if
appropriate.
(F) Communication of VC Hazards
(§ 1910.1017(l))
Under paragraph 1910.1017(l)(2), the
employer must post warning signs
outside regulated areas and areas
containing hazardous operations, or
where emergency conditions exist.
Posting warning signs serves to warn
workers that they are entering a
hazardous area. Such signs warn
workers that entry is permitted only if
they are authorized to do so, and there
is a specific need to enter the area.
Warning signs also supplement the
training workers receive under this
standard.
(G) Recordkeeping (§ 1910.1017(m))
Employers must maintain worker
exposure and medical records. Medical
and monitoring records are maintained
principally for worker access, but are
designed to provide valuable
information to both workers and
employers. The medical and monitoring
records required by this standard will
aid workers and their physicians in
determining whether or not treatment or
other interventions are needed for VC
exposure. The information also will
enable employers to better ensure that
workers are not being overexposed; such
information may alert the employer that
steps must be taken to reduce VC
exposures.
Exposure records must be maintained
for at least 30 years, and medical
records must be kept for the duration of
employment plus 20 years, or for a total
of 30 years, whichever is longer.
Records must be kept for extended
periods because of the long latency
period associated with VC-related
carcinogenesis (i.e., cancer). Cancer
often cannot be detected until 20 or
more years after the first exposure to
VC.
II. Special Issues for Comment
OSHA has a particular interest in
comments on the following issues:
• Whether the proposed information
collection requirements are necessary
for the proper performance of the
Agency’s functions to protect workers,
including whether the information is
useful;
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Fmt 4703
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76767
• The accuracy of OSHA’s estimate of
the burden (time and costs) of the
information collection requirements,
including the validity of the
methodology and assumptions used;
• The quality, utility and clarity of
the information collected; and
• Ways to minimize the burden on
employers who must comply; for
example, by using automated or other
technological information collection
and transmission techniques.
III. Proposed Actions
The Agency is requesting an
adjustment decrease in burden hours
from 711 to 549 hours, a 162 burden
hour reduction. The reduction is a result
of fewer VC and Polyvinyl Chloride
(PVC) establishments subject to
reporting requirements under this
standard. There is also a decrease in
total annual cost from $48,928 to
$40,888 (a decrease of $8,040). This
decrease is a result of a decrease in the
estimated number of workers to be
exposed above to VC and PVC facilities
is approximately 3,968, a decrease of
1,368 workers. The currently approved
ICR estimates a total of 32
establishments. This proposed ICR
estimates a total of 26 establishments.
The Agency will summarize any
comments submitted in response to this
notice and will include this summary in
its request to OMB.
Type of Review: Extension of a
currently approved collection.
Title: Standard on Vinyl Chloride (29
CFR 1910.1017).
OMB Number: 1218–0010.
Affected Public: Business or other forprofits.
Number of Respondents: 26.
Frequency: On occasion; annually.
Total Responses: 925.
Average Time per Response: Varies
from 5 minutes (.08 hour) for employers
to maintain records to 12 hours for
employers to update their compliance
plans.
Estimated Total Burden Hours: 549.
Estimated Cost (Operation and
Maintenance): $40,888
IV. Public Participation—Submission of
Comments on This Notice and Internet
Access to Comments and Submissions
You may submit comments in
response to this document as follows:
(1) electronically at https://
www.regulations.gov, which is the
Federal eRulemaking Portal; (2) by
facsimile (fax); or (3) by hard copy. All
comments, attachments, and other
material must identify the Agency name
and the OSHA docket number for this
ICR (Docket No. OSHA–2011–0196).
You may supplement electronic
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Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 236 / Thursday, December 8, 2011 / Notices
submissions by uploading document
files electronically. If you wish to mail
additional materials in reference to an
electronic or a facsimile submission,
you must submit them to the OSHA
Docket Office (see the section of this
notice titled ADDRESSES). The additional
materials must clearly identify your
electronic comments by your name,
date, and OSHA docket number, so the
Agency can attach them to your
comments.
Because of security procedures, the
use of regular mail may cause a
significant delay in the receipt of
comments. For information about
security procedures concerning the
delivery of materials by hand, express
delivery, messenger, or courier service,
please contact the OSHA Docket Office
at (202) 693–2350, (TTY (877) 889–
5627).
Comments and submissions are
posted without change at https://
www.regulations.gov. Therefore, OSHA
cautions commenters about submitting
personal information, such as Social
Security numbers and dates of birth.
Although all submissions are listed in
the https://www.regulations.gov index,
some information (e.g., copyrighted
material) is not publicly available to
read or download through this Web site.
All submissions, including copyrighted
material, are available for inspection
and copying at the OSHA Docket Office.
Information on using the https://
www.regulations.gov Web site to submit
comments and access the docket is
available at the Web site’s ‘‘User Tips’’
link. Contact the OSHA Docket Office
for information about materials not
available through the Web site, and for
assistance in using the Internet to locate
docket submissions.
V. Authority and Signature
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
David Michaels, Ph.D., MPH,
Assistant Secretary of Labor for
Occupational Safety and Health,
directed the preparation of this notice.
The authority for this notice is the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44
U.S.C. 3506 et seq.) and Secretary of
Labor’s Order No. 4–2010 (75 FR
55355).
Signed at Washington, DC on December 2,
2011.
David Michaels,
Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational
Safety and Health.
[FR Doc. 2011–31492 Filed 12–7–11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510–26–P
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Jkt 226001
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Occupational Safety and Health
Administration
[Docket No. OSHA–2011–0860]
The 13 Carcinogens Standard;
Extension of the Office of Management
and Budget’s (OMB) Approval of
Information Collection (Paperwork)
Requirements
Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (OSHA), Labor.
ACTION: Request for public comments.
AGENCY:
OSHA solicits public
comments concerning its proposal to
extend the Office of Management and
Budget’s (OMB) approval of the
information collection requirements
specified in the 13 Carcinogens
Standard (29 CFR 1910.1003).
DATES: Comments must be submitted
(postmarked, sent, or received) by
February 6, 2012.
ADDRESSES: Electronically: You may
submit comments and attachments
electronically at https://
www.regulations.gov, which is the
Federal eRulemaking Portal. Follow the
instructions online for submitting
comments.
Facsimile: If your comments,
including attachments, are not longer
than 10 pages, you may fax them to the
OSHA Docket Office at (202) 693–1648.
Mail, hand delivery, express mail,
messenger, or courier service: When
using this method, you must submit a
copy of your comments and attachments
to the OSHA Docket Office, Docket No.
OSHA–2011–0860, U.S. Department of
Labor, Occupational Safety and Health
Administration, Room N–2625, 200
Constitution Avenue NW., Washington,
DC 20210. Deliveries (hand, express
mail, messenger, and courier service)
are accepted during the Department of
Labor’s and Docket Office’s normal
business hours, 8:15 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.,
e.t.
Instructions: All submissions must
include the Agency name and OSHA
docket number (OSHA–2011–0860) for
the Information Collection Request
(ICR). All comments, including any
personal information you provide, are
placed in the public docket without
change, and may be made available
online at https://www.regulations.gov.
For further information on submitting
comments see the ‘‘Public
Participation’’ heading in the section of
this notice titled SUPPLEMENTARY
INFORMATION.
Docket: To read or download
comments or other material in the
SUMMARY:
PO 00000
Frm 00080
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
docket, go to https://www.regulations.gov
or the OSHA Docket Office at the
address above. All documents in the
docket (including this Federal Register
notice) are listed in the https://
www.regulations.gov index; however,
some information (e.g., copyrighted
material) is not publicly available to
read or download through the Web site.
All submissions, including copyrighted
material, are available for inspection
and copying at the OSHA Docket Office.
You may also contact Theda Kenney at
the address below to obtain a copy of
the ICR.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Theda Kenney or Todd Owen,
Directorate of Standards and Guidance,
OSHA, U.S. Department of Labor, Room
N–3609, 200 Constitution Avenue NW.,
Washington, DC 20210; telephone (202)
693–2222.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
The Department of Labor, as part of its
continuing effort to reduce paperwork
and respondent (i.e., employer) burden,
conducts a preclearance consultation
program to provide the public with an
opportunity to comment on proposed
and continuing information collection
requirements in accordance with the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995
(PRA–95) (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)). This
program ensures that information is in
the desired format, reporting burden
(time and costs) is minimal, collection
instruments are clearly understood, and
OSHA’s estimate of the information
collection burden is accurate. The
Occupational Safety and Health Act of
1970 (the OSH Act) (29 U.S.C. 651 et
seq.) authorizes information collection
by employers as necessary or
appropriate for enforcement of the OSH
Act or for developing information
regarding the causes and prevention of
occupational injuries, illnesses, and
accidents (29 U.S.C. 657). The OSH Act
also requires that OSHA obtain such
information with minimum burden
upon employers, especially those
operating small businesses, and to
reduce to the maximum extent feasible
unnecessary duplication of efforts in
obtaining information (29 U.S.C. 657).
The information collection
requirements specified in the 13
Carcinogens Standard protect workers
from the adverse health effects that may
result from their exposure to the 13
carcinogens. The following is a brief
description of the collection of
information requirements contained in
the 13 Carcinogens Standard:
Establishing and implementing a
medical surveillance program for
E:\FR\FM\08DEN1.SGM
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Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 236 (Thursday, December 8, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 76766-76768]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-31492]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
[Docket No. OSHA-2011-0196]
Standard on Vinyl Chloride; Extension of the Office of Management
and Budget's (OMB) Approval of Information Collection (Paperwork)
Requirements
AGENCY: Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Labor.
ACTION: Request for public comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: OSHA solicits public comments concerning its proposal to
extend the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) approval of the
information collection requirements specified in the Standard on Vinyl
Chloride (29 CFR 1910.1017).
DATES: Comments must be submitted (postmarked, sent, or received) by
February 6, 2012.
ADDRESSES:
Electronically: You may submit comments and attachments
electronically at https://www.regulations.gov, which is the Federal
eRulemaking Portal. Follow the instructions online for submitting
comments.
Facsimile: If your comments, including attachments, are not longer
than 10 pages, you may fax them to the OSHA Docket Office at (202) 693-
1648.
Mail, hand delivery, express mail, messenger, or courier service:
When using this method, you must submit your comments and attachments
to the OSHA Docket Office, Docket No. OSHA-2011-0196, Occupational
Safety and Health Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, Room N-
2625, 200 Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20210. Deliveries
(hand, express mail, messenger, and courier service) are accepted
during the Department of Labor's and Docket Office's normal business
hours, 8:15 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., e.t.
Instructions: All submissions must include the Agency name and OSHA
docket number (OSHA-2011-0196) for the Information Collection Request
(ICR). All comments, including any personal information you provide,
are placed in the public docket without change, and may be made
available online at https://www.regulations.gov. For further information
on submitting comments see the ``Public Participation'' heading in the
section of this notice titled SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.
Docket: To read or download comments or other material in the
docket, go to https://www.regulations.gov or the OSHA Docket Office at
the address above. All documents in the docket (including this Federal
Register notice) are listed in the https://www.regulations.gov index;
however, some information (e.g., copyrighted material) is not publicly
available to read or download from the Web site. All submissions,
including copyrighted material, are available for inspection and
copying at the OSHA Docket Office. You also may contact Theda Kenney at
the address below to obtain a copy of the ICR.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Theda Kenney, Directorate of Standards
and Guidance, OSHA, U.S. Department of Labor, Room N-3609, 200
Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20210; telephone (202) 693-
2222.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
The Department of Labor, as part of its continuing effort to reduce
paperwork and respondent (i.e., employer) burden, conducts a
preclearance consultation program to provide the public with an
opportunity to comment on proposed and continuing information
collection requirements in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act
of 1995 (PRA 95) (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)). This program ensures that
information is in the desired format, reporting burden (time and costs)
is minimal, collection instruments are clearly understood, and OSHA's
estimate of the information collection burden is accurate. The
Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (the OSH Act) (29 U.S.C. 651
et seq.) authorizes information collection by employers as necessary or
appropriate for enforcement of the OSH Act or for developing
information regarding the causes and prevention of occupational
injuries, illnesses, and accidents (29 U.S.C. 657). The OSH Act also
requires that OSHA obtain such information with minimum burden upon
employers, especially those operating small businesses, and to reduce,
to the maximum extent feasible, unnecessary duplication of efforts in
obtaining information (29 U.S.C. 657).
The Standard specifies a number of paperwork requirements. The
following is a brief description of the collection of information
requirements contained in the Vinyl Chloride (VC) Standard.
(A) Exposure Monitoring (Sec. 1910.1017(d) and Sec. 1910.1017(n))
Paragraph 1910.1017(d)(2) requires employers to conduct exposure
monitoring at least quarterly if the results show that worker exposures
are above the permissible exposure limit (PEL), while those exposed at
or above the action level (AL) must be monitored no less than
semiannually. Paragraph (d)(3) requires that employers perform
additional monitoring whenever there has been a change in VC
production, processes or control that may result in an increase in the
release of VC.
[[Page 76767]]
Paragraph 1910.1017(n) requires employers to inform each worker of
their exposure-monitoring results within 15 working days after the
employer receives these results. Employers may notify workers either
individually in writing or by posting the monitoring results in an
appropriate location that is accessible to the workers. In addition, if
the exposure-monitoring results show that a worker's exposure exceeds
the PEL, the employer must inform the exposed worker of the corrective
action the employer is taking to prevent such overexposure.
(B) Written Compliance Plan (Sec. Sec. 1910.1017(f)(2) and (f)(3))
Paragraph (f)(2) requires employers whose engineering and work
practice controls cannot sufficiently reduce worker VC exposures to a
level at or below the PEL to develop and implement a plan for doing so.
Paragraph (f)(3) requires employers to develop this written plan and
provide it upon request to OSHA for examination and copying. These
plans must be updated annually.
(C) Respiratory Program (Sec. 1910.1017(g)(2))
When respirators are required, the employer must establish a
respiratory protection program in accordance with 1910.134, paragraphs
(b) through (d) (except (d)(1)(iii) and (d)(3)(iii)(B)(1) and (2)) and
(f) through (m). Paragraph 1910.134(c) requires the employer to develop
and implement a written respiratory protection program with worksite-
specific procedures and elements for respirator use. The purpose of
these requirements is to ensure that employers establish a standardized
procedure for selecting, using, and maintaining respirators for each
workplace where respirators will be used. Developing written procedures
ensures that employers develop a respirator program that meets the
needs of their workers.
(D) Emergency Plan (Sec. 1910.1017(i))
Employers must develop a written operational plan for dealing with
emergencies; the plan must address the storage, handling, and use of VC
as a liquid or compressed gas. In the event of an emergency,
appropriate elements of the plan must be implemented. Emergency plans
must maximize workers' personal protection and minimize the hazards of
an emergency.
(E) Medical Surveillance (Sec. 1910.1017(k))
Paragraph (k) requires employers to develop a medical surveillance
program for workers exposed to VC in excess of the Action Level.
Examinations must be provided in accordance with this paragraph at
least annually. Employers must also obtain, and provide to each worker,
a copy of a physician's statement regarding the worker's suitability
for continued exposure to VC, including use of protective equipment and
respirators, if appropriate.
(F) Communication of VC Hazards (Sec. 1910.1017(l))
Under paragraph 1910.1017(l)(2), the employer must post warning
signs outside regulated areas and areas containing hazardous
operations, or where emergency conditions exist. Posting warning signs
serves to warn workers that they are entering a hazardous area. Such
signs warn workers that entry is permitted only if they are authorized
to do so, and there is a specific need to enter the area. Warning signs
also supplement the training workers receive under this standard.
(G) Recordkeeping (Sec. 1910.1017(m))
Employers must maintain worker exposure and medical records.
Medical and monitoring records are maintained principally for worker
access, but are designed to provide valuable information to both
workers and employers. The medical and monitoring records required by
this standard will aid workers and their physicians in determining
whether or not treatment or other interventions are needed for VC
exposure. The information also will enable employers to better ensure
that workers are not being overexposed; such information may alert the
employer that steps must be taken to reduce VC exposures.
Exposure records must be maintained for at least 30 years, and
medical records must be kept for the duration of employment plus 20
years, or for a total of 30 years, whichever is longer. Records must be
kept for extended periods because of the long latency period associated
with VC-related carcinogenesis (i.e., cancer). Cancer often cannot be
detected until 20 or more years after the first exposure to VC.
II. Special Issues for Comment
OSHA has a particular interest in comments on the following issues:
Whether the proposed information collection requirements
are necessary for the proper performance of the Agency's functions to
protect workers, including whether the information is useful;
The accuracy of OSHA's estimate of the burden (time and
costs) of the information collection requirements, including the
validity of the methodology and assumptions used;
The quality, utility and clarity of the information
collected; and
Ways to minimize the burden on employers who must comply;
for example, by using automated or other technological information
collection and transmission techniques.
III. Proposed Actions
The Agency is requesting an adjustment decrease in burden hours
from 711 to 549 hours, a 162 burden hour reduction. The reduction is a
result of fewer VC and Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) establishments subject
to reporting requirements under this standard. There is also a decrease
in total annual cost from $48,928 to $40,888 (a decrease of $8,040).
This decrease is a result of a decrease in the estimated number of
workers to be exposed above to VC and PVC facilities is approximately
3,968, a decrease of 1,368 workers. The currently approved ICR
estimates a total of 32 establishments. This proposed ICR estimates a
total of 26 establishments. The Agency will summarize any comments
submitted in response to this notice and will include this summary in
its request to OMB.
Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.
Title: Standard on Vinyl Chloride (29 CFR 1910.1017).
OMB Number: 1218-0010.
Affected Public: Business or other for-profits.
Number of Respondents: 26.
Frequency: On occasion; annually.
Total Responses: 925.
Average Time per Response: Varies from 5 minutes (.08 hour) for
employers to maintain records to 12 hours for employers to update their
compliance plans.
Estimated Total Burden Hours: 549.
Estimated Cost (Operation and Maintenance): $40,888
IV. Public Participation--Submission of Comments on This Notice and
Internet Access to Comments and Submissions
You may submit comments in response to this document as follows:
(1) electronically at https://www.regulations.gov, which is the Federal
eRulemaking Portal; (2) by facsimile (fax); or (3) by hard copy. All
comments, attachments, and other material must identify the Agency name
and the OSHA docket number for this ICR (Docket No. OSHA-2011-0196).
You may supplement electronic
[[Page 76768]]
submissions by uploading document files electronically. If you wish to
mail additional materials in reference to an electronic or a facsimile
submission, you must submit them to the OSHA Docket Office (see the
section of this notice titled ADDRESSES). The additional materials must
clearly identify your electronic comments by your name, date, and OSHA
docket number, so the Agency can attach them to your comments.
Because of security procedures, the use of regular mail may cause a
significant delay in the receipt of comments. For information about
security procedures concerning the delivery of materials by hand,
express delivery, messenger, or courier service, please contact the
OSHA Docket Office at (202) 693-2350, (TTY (877) 889-5627).
Comments and submissions are posted without change at https://www.regulations.gov. Therefore, OSHA cautions commenters about
submitting personal information, such as Social Security numbers and
dates of birth. Although all submissions are listed in the https://www.regulations.gov index, some information (e.g., copyrighted
material) is not publicly available to read or download through this
Web site. All submissions, including copyrighted material, are
available for inspection and copying at the OSHA Docket Office.
Information on using the https://www.regulations.gov Web site to submit
comments and access the docket is available at the Web site's ``User
Tips'' link. Contact the OSHA Docket Office for information about
materials not available through the Web site, and for assistance in
using the Internet to locate docket submissions.
V. Authority and Signature
David Michaels, Ph.D., MPH, Assistant Secretary of Labor for
Occupational Safety and Health, directed the preparation of this
notice. The authority for this notice is the Paperwork Reduction Act of
1995 (44 U.S.C. 3506 et seq.) and Secretary of Labor's Order No. 4-2010
(75 FR 55355).
Signed at Washington, DC on December 2, 2011.
David Michaels,
Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health.
[FR Doc. 2011-31492 Filed 12-7-11; 8:45 am]
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