Occupational Safety and Health Administration December 6, 2005 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This notice announces the grant of a permanent variance to International Chimney Corporation, Karrena International, LLC, and Matrix Service Industrial Contractors, Inc. (``the employers''). The permanent variance addresses the provision that regulates the tackle used for boatswains' chairs (Sec. 1926.452 (o)(3)), as well as the provisions specified for personnel hoists by paragraphs (c)(1) through (c)(4), (c)(8), (c)(13), (c)(14)(i), and (c)(16) of Sec. 1926.552. Instead of complying with these provisions, the employers must comply with a number of alternative conditions listed in this grant; these alternative conditions regulate rope-guided personnel-hoisting systems used during inside or outside chimney construction to raise or lower employees in personnel cages, personnel platforms, and boatswains' chairs between the bottom landing of a chimney and an elevated work location. Accordingly, OSHA finds that these alternative conditions protect employees at least as well as the requirements specified by Sec. 1926.452(o)(3) and Sec. 1926.552(c)(1) through (c)(4), (c)(8), (c)(13), (c)(14)(i), and (c)(16).