Department of Labor February 2005 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Department of Labor, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, conducts a preclearance consultation program to provide the general public and Federal agencies with an opportunity to comment on proposed and continuing collections of information in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA 95). This program helps to ensure that requested data can be provided in the desired format, reporting burden (time and financial resources) is minimized, collection instruments are clearly understood, and the impact of collection requirements on respondents can be properly assessed. Currently, the Employee Benefits Security Administration is soliciting comments on the proposed extension of the information collection provisions included in the procedure for applications for exemption from the prohibited transaction provisions of section 408(a) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) (29 CFR 2570.30, et seq.). A copy of the information collection request (ICR) can be obtained by contacting the individual shown in the ADDRESSES section of this notice.

The Department of Labor, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, conducts a preclearance consultation program to provide the general public and Federal agencies with an opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing collections of information in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA95) [44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)]. This program helps to ensure that requested data can be provided in the desired format, reporting burden (time and financial resources) is minimized, collection instruments are clearly understood, and the impact of collection requirements on respondents can be properly assessed. Currently, the Employment Standards Administration is soliciting comments concerning the proposed collection: Rehabilitation Action Report (OWCP-44). A copy of the proposed information collection request can be obtained by contacting the office listed below in the ADDRESSES section of this Notice.

Due to significant adverse comment, OSHA is withdrawing the direct final rule for Updating OSHA Standards Based on National Consensus Standards; General, Incorporation by Reference; Hazardous Materials, Flammable and Combustible Liquids; General Environmental Controls, Temporary Labor Camps; Hand and Portable Powered Tools and Other Hand Held Equipment, Guarding of Portable Powered Tools; Welding, Cutting, and Brazing, Arc Welding and Cutting; Special Industries, Sawmills, which was published on November 24, 2004 [69 FR 68712]. In that document, OSHA stated that if it received significant adverse comment, the agency would ``publish a notice of significant adverse comment in the Federal Register withdrawing this direct final rule * * *'' OSHA published a companion proposed rule identical to the direct final rule on the same day. [69 FR 68706]. The agency will address the significant adverse comment and the other comments on the direct final and proposed rules in a new final rule. OSHA will not institute a second comment period.

The regulation to implement the re-engineered permanent foreign labor certification program (PERM) was published in the Federal Register on December 27, 2004, with an effective date of March 28, 2005. See 69 FR 77326. The Employment and Training Administration (ETA) of the Department of Labor (Department or DOL) is issuing this notice to announce the mailing addresses for employers that choose to file applications by mail under the new permanent foreign labor certification program. The Department encourages employers to file applications electronically as applications submitted by mail will not be processed as quickly as those filed electronically. As of December 13, 2004, the Department opened two new National Processing Centers in Atlanta and Chicago. The National Processing Centers will handle permanent labor certification cases filed under the PERM system. In addition, these centers will process all applications that are withdrawn from the current permanent labor certification program and re-filed under the new PERM program.