Department of Labor 2008 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

In this rulemaking, OSHA is proposing to amend its regulations to add language clarifying that noncompliance with the personal protective equipment (PPE) and training requirements in safety and health standards in these parts may expose the employer to liability on a per-employee basis. The amendments consist of new paragraphs added to the introductory sections of the listed parts and changes to the language of some existing respirator and training requirements. This action, which is in accord with OSHA's longstanding position, is proposed in response to recent decisions of the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission indicating that differences in wording among the various PPE and training provisions in OSHA safety and health standards affect the Agency's ability to treat an employer's failure to provide PPE or training to each covered employee as a separate violation. The amendments add no new compliance obligations. Employers are not required to provide any new type of PPE or training, to provide PPE or training to any employee not already covered by the existing requirements, or to provide PPE or training in a different manner than that already required. The amendments simply clarify the remedy for violations of these requirements.

The Veterans' Employment and Training Service (VETS) of the Department of Labor (Department or DOL) is proposing a rule to implement priority of service in qualified job training programs prescribed in section 2(a)(1) of the Jobs for Veterans Act (JVA). The Department undertakes this rulemaking in accordance with section 605 of the Veterans' Benefits, Health Care, and Information Technology Act of 2006, which requires the Department to implement priority of service via regulation. The Department seeks comments on this proposed rule.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA 95) (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)), the Department of Labor (the Department) conducts a preclearance consultation program so that the general public and other federal agencies can comment on proposed and continuing collections of information. This program helps to ensure that the data the Department gathers arrive in the desired format, that the reporting burden on the public (time and financial resources) is minimized, that the public understands the collection instruments, and that the Department can accurately assess the impact of collection requirements on respondents. By this notice, the Department is soliciting comments on the information collection provisions of regulations pertaining to section 104(a)(6) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (ERISA). The statute and the regulatory provisions codified at 29 CFR 2520.104a-8 require the administrator of an employee benefit plan subject to Part 1 of Title I of ERISA to furnish the Secretary of Labor with certain documents relating to the plan upon request. A copy of the information collection request (ICR) can be obtained by contacting the office shown in the ADDRESSES section of this notice. ICRs submitted to OMB also are available at https://www.RegInfo.gov.

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 proposal to extend OMB approval of the information collection: Work Experience and Career Exploration (WECEP) Regulations, 29 CFR 570.35a. A copy of the proposed information collection request can be obtained by contacting the office listed below in the addresses section of this Notice.

OSHA solicits comments concerning its proposal to extend OMB approval of the information collection requirements contained in the Standard on Servicing Multi-Piece and Single Piece Rim Wheels (29 CFR 1910.177). The paperwork provisions of the Standard include a requirement that the manufacturer or a Registered Professional Engineer certify that repaired restraining devices and barriers meet the strength requirements specified in the Standard, and a requirement that defective wheels and wheel components be marked or tagged.

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 and Training Administration is soliciting comments concerning the collection of data about the Trade Adjustment Assistance Reform Act of 2002. 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: http: //www.doleta.gov/OMBCN/ OMBControlNumber.cfm.

The U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL), Veterans' Employment and Training Service (VETS) continues to support local Stand Down events that assist homeless veterans and is now accepting applications for Stand Down grant awards. A Stand Down is an event held in a local community where homeless veterans are provided with a wide variety of social services. Under this announcement, VETS anticipates that up to $400,000 will be available in each of the three fiscal years for grant awards of up to a maximum of $10,000 per multi-day event (more than one day), and a maximum of $7,000 for a one (1) day event. VETS expects to award approximately forty-five (45) grants each fiscal year. Availability of Fiscal Year 2009, and Fiscal Year 2010 funds will be dependent upon Congressional appropriations. Applications for Stand Down funds will be accepted from State Workforce Agencies and State and local Workforce Investment Boards, Veterans Service Organizations (VSO), local public agencies, and non-profit organizations, including community and faith- based organizations. USDOL is not authorized to award grant funds to organizations that are registered with Internal Revenue Service (IRS) as a 501(c)(4) organization. Application for Stand Down grant funding are to be submitted to the appropriate State Director of Veterans Employment and Training/ Grant Officer Technical Representative (DVET/GOTR). Address and contact information for each State DVET/GOTR can be found at Web site address: https://www.dol.gov/vets/aboutvets/contacts/main.htm. To be considered for FY-2008 funding, applications must be received within thirty (30) days of this announcement. This will allow for obligation of funds prior to 9/30/08. Any events approved in Fiscal Year 2008 must be held prior to 12/31/08. Applications for other events planned in Fiscal Year 2009 must be received at least sixty (60) days prior to the event and no later than July 30, 2009. Applications for events planned in Fiscal Year 2010 must be received at least sixty (60) days prior to the event and no later than July 30, 2010.