Department of Labor 2006 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

In this final rule, OSHA is revising its existing Respiratory Protection Standard to add definitions and requirements for Assigned Protection Factors (APFs) and Maximum Use Concentrations (MUCs). The revisions also supersede the respirator selection provisions of existing substance-specific standards with these new APFs (except for the respirator selection provisions of the 1,3-Butadiene Standard). The Agency developed the final APFs after thoroughly reviewing the available literature, including chamber-simulation studies and workplace protection factor studies, comments submitted to the record, and hearing testimony. The final APFs provide employers with critical information to use when selecting respirators for employees exposed to atmospheric contaminants found in general industry, construction, shipyards, longshoring, and marine terminal workplaces. Proper respirator selection using APFs is an important component of an effective respiratory protection program. Accordingly, OSHA concludes that the final APFs are necessary to protect employees who must use respirators to protect them from airborne contaminants.

In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, the purpose of this notice is to announce that a Federal Advisory Committee, known as the ``Advisory Committee on Job Corps'' (hereinafter ``the Committee'') is being established.

This document contains exemptions issued by the Department of Labor (the Department) from certain of the prohibited transaction restrictions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA or the Act) and/or the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the Code). A notice was published in the Federal Register of the pendency before the Department of a proposal to grant such exemption. The notice set forth a summary of facts and representations contained in the application for exemption and referred interested persons to the application for a complete statement of the facts and representations. The application has been available for public inspection at the Department in Washington, DC. The notice also invited interested persons to submit comments on the requested exemption to the Department. In addition the notice stated that any interested person might submit a written request that a public hearing be held (where appropriate). The applicant has represented that it has complied with the requirements of the notification to interested persons. No requests for a hearing were received by the Department. Public comments were received by the Department as described in the granted exemption. The notice of proposed exemption was issued and the exemption is being granted solely by the Department because, effective December 31, 1978, section 102 of Reorganization Plan No. 4 of 1978, 5 U.S.C. App. 1 (1996), transferred the authority of the Secretary of the Treasury to issue exemptions of the type proposed to the Secretary of Labor.

The Department of Labor (DOL), as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden conducts a pre- clearance 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 insure 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 on respondents can be properly assessed. Currently, the Employment and Training Administration (ETA) is soliciting comments concerning the proposed extension of the collection of administrative and survey data on the Growing America Through Entrepreneurship project 1205-0444, expires December 31, 2006). A copy of the proposed information collection request (ICR) can be obtained by contacting the office listed below in the address section of this notice or at this Web site: https://www.doleta.gov/Performance/guidance/ OMBControlNumber.cfm.

This notice announces the application of Wyle Laboratories, Inc. (WL) for renewal of its recognition and presents the Agency's preliminary finding to grant this request for renewal. This preliminary finding does not constitute an interim or temporary approval of the renewal application.

The New York Department of Labor submitted timely documentation attesting to the completion of all structural and developmental aspects of its public employee (State and local government) only State plan as approved by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). After extensive review of the submissions and opportunity for correction, plan supplements constituting an updated and revised State plan were submitted. OSHA is approving the revised State plan, which documents the satisfactory completion of all structural and developmental aspects of New York's approved State plan, and certifying this completion. This certification attests to the fact that New York now has in place those structural components necessary for an effective public employee only program. (Enforcement of occupational safety and health standards with regard to private sector employers and employees in the State of New York remains the responsibility of the U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration.)

OSHA requests comment concerning its proposed extension of the information collection requirements specified by the Standard on 4,4'- Methylenedianiline (MDA) in Construction (29 CFR 1926.60). The Standard protects employees from the adverse health effects that may result from occupational exposure to MDA, including cancer, and liver and skin disease.

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: Claim for Medical Reimbursement Form (OWCP-915). A copy of the proposed information collection request can be obtained by contacting the office listed below in the addressee section of this Notice.

The Department of Labor, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, conducts a pre-clearance 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. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is soliciting comments concerning the proposed new collection of the ``International Training Application.'' A copy of the proposed information collection request (ICR) can be obtained by contacting the individual listed below in the ADDRESSES section of this notice.