Department of Labor January 31, 2014 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

In 2009, the Consumer Expenditure Surveys Division started the Gemini Project for the purpose of researching, developing, and implementing an improved survey design for the Consumer Expenditure Survey (CE). The objective of the redesign is to improve the quality of the survey estimates through a verifiable reduction in measurement error, with a particular focus on underreporting. While reducing measurement error, the new survey design would also combat the decline in response rates seen in recent years. In June 2013, a comprehensive redesign proposal was completed. As development, testing, and evaluation of the new CE survey proceeds, BLS would like feedback on the new survey design and the data that would be available from the survey from current data users and other interested parties.

In this notice, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (``OSHA'' or the ``Agency'') is proposing to revoke permanent variances that it granted between 1973 and 2010 to 24 companies engaged in chimney construction (hereafter, ``previous variances''). The previous variances provided the companies with an alternative means of complying with provisions of OSHA standards regulating boatswains' chairs, personnel platforms, and hoist towers. On October 2, 2013, OSHA published a Federal Register notice (78 FR 60900) in which it updated the previous variances with a single, permanent variance (``the uniform variance''). The 2013 Federal Register notice granted the uniform variance to a number of the companies that held previous variances. OSHA determined that, compared to the previous variances, the uniform variance: (1) provides more consistency across the conditions specified by the variance, thereby expediting OSHA's enforcement of the conditions; (2) allows employers to use updated technology and industry practices; and (3) increases worker safety. Therefore, OSHA is proposing to revoke the previous variances and to invite employers not covered by the uniform variance to submit applications for an equivalent variance.

On January 31, 2014, the Department of Labor (DOL) will submit the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) sponsored information collection request (ICR) titled, the ``Rigging Equipment for Material Handling Standard,'' to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval for continued use, without change, in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.