Department of Labor June 2008 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This proposal addresses the recommendations of the Technical Study Panel (Panel) on the Utilization of Belt Air and the Composition and Fire Retardant Properties of Belt Materials in Underground Coal Mining. Section 11 of the Mine Improvement and New Emergency Response (MINER) Act of 2006 required that this Panel be established. MSHA proposes new standards for: Conveyor belt flammability; qualifying Atmospheric Monitoring System operators; levels of methane and respirable dust in belt entries; airlocks between air courses; minimum and maximum air velocities; approval for the use of air from the belt entry to ventilate working sections; monitoring and remotely closing point-feed regulators; smoke sensors; standardized tactile signals on lifelines; replacing point-type heat sensors with carbon monoxide sensors; and belt conveyor and belt entry maintenance. Consistent with the MINER Act, the proposal includes MSHA's response to the Panel's report.

The Office of Trade and Labor Affairs (OTLA) gives notice that on June 12, 2008, Submission 2008-01 was accepted for review pursuant to Article 16.4.3 of Chapter Sixteen (the Labor Chapter) of the Central AmericaDominican RepublicUnited States Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR). The submission was filed with the OTLA on April 23, 2008 by the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) and a group of six Guatemalan trade unions. The submission alleges the Government of Guatemala has violated Articles 16.1.1, 16.2.1(a), and 16.3.1 of the Labor Chapter of the CAFTA-DR with respect to five separate cases. In these cases, the submission alleges that the Government of Guatemala failed to enforce its laws with regard to the right of association and the right to organize and bargain collectively. The submission alleges acts of violence against trade unionists, including two instances of murder. In addition, there are further allegations of failure to enforce laws relating to non-payment of severance and social security benefits. These allegations were supported by specific factual descriptions which, if substantiated, could demonstrate that the Government of Guatemala's actions were inconsistent with its commitments under the Labor Chapter. The objectives of the review of the submission will be to gather information to assist the OTLA to better understand and publicly report on the issues raised by the submission.

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 its proposal to extend OMB approval of the information collection: Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs Recordkeeping and Reporting Requirements, Construction. A copy of the proposed information collection request can be obtained by contacting the office listed below 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 collection 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. A copy of the proposed information collection request (ICR) can be obtained by contacting the office listed below in the addressee section of this notice or by accessing: https://www.doleta.gov/OMBCN/ OMBControlNumber.cfm.

The Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration published a document in the Federal Register on July 22, 2002, titled Notice of Determinations Regarding Eligibility to Apply for Worker Adjustment Assistance and NAFTA Transitional Adjustment Assistance. The Department is issuing a restructured paragraph for clarification purposes.

This notice announces a change in the benefit period eligibility under the EB Program for Alaska. The following change has occurred since the publication of the last notice regarding the State's EB status: May 18, 2008, Alaska triggered ``on'' EB. Alaska's 3-month total unemployment rate rose above the 6.5 percent threshold and equaled 110 percent of the corresponding rate in the prior year. This causes the state to be triggered ``on'' to an EB period beginning June 1, 2008.

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 its proposal to extend OMB approval of the information collection: Certificate of Medical Necessity (CM-893). A copy of the proposed information collection request can be obtained by contacting the office listed below 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 its proposal to extend OMB approval of the information collection: Payment of Compensation Without Award (LS-206). A copy of the proposed information collection request can be obtained by contacting the office listed below in the ADDRESSES section of this Notice.