Occupational Safety and Health Administration 2007 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

OSHA solicits public comment concerning its proposal to extend OMB approval of the information collection requirements specified in the Hydrostatic Testing Provision of the Standard on Portable Fire Extinguishers (29 CFR 1910.157(f)(16)). The hydrostatic testing provision requires employers to certify that portable fire extinguishers have been hydrostatically tested as prescribed by the Standard by preparing a certification record upon completion of the test. The record must be maintained on file and made available to OSHA compliance staff.

This Notice constitutes the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's official interpretation and explanation of the phrase ``on site in one location'' in the ``Application'' section of OSHA's Process Safety Management of Highly Hazardous Chemicals standard. (``PSM'').

OSHA solicits public comment concerning its proposal to extend OMB approval of the information collection requirements specified in its Standard on Overhead and Gantry Cranes (29 CFR 1910.179).

OSHA is proposing to revise the personal protective equipment (PPE) sections of its general industry, shipyard employment, longshoring, and marine terminals standards regarding the use of eye and face protective devices, head protection, and foot protection. OSHA is proposing to replace the existing references to specific consensus standards with performance language requiring PPE to be constructed in accordance with good design standards. The proposed revision includes guidance for determining what is a good design standard. In addition, OSHA is proposing to add non-mandatory appendices that list standards that constitute good design standards as used in the requirement. OSHA is also proposing to delete a paragraph in its ventilation standard that requires safety shoes to comply with a specific American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standard, and another paragraph in in its welding, cutting and brazing standard that requires filter lenses and plates in eye protective equipment to meet a test for transmission of radiant energy prescribed in another specific ANSI standard. In proposing to delete these paragraphs, OSHA intends for this safety equipment to comply with the applicable PPE design provisions in Subpart I of the general industry standards. These proposed revisions are a continuation of OSHA's effort to update or remove references to specific consensus and industry standards located throughout the Agency's standards.

This notice announces the application of Electrical Reliability Services, Inc. (formerly Electro-Test, Inc.) for renewal of its recognition, and presents the Agency's preliminary finding to deny renewal of its request.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration announces that OMB has extended its approval for a number of information collection requirements found in sections of 29 CFR parts 1910, 1915, 1917, 1918, 1926, and 1928; and for OSHA's Data Initiative. OSHA sought approval under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA-95), and, as required by that Act, is announcing the approval numbers and expiration dates for those requirements.

OSHA proposes to revise the explosives and blasting agents standard in subpart H of part 1910. This revision of Sec. 1910.109 is intended to enhance the protections provided to employees engaged in the manufacture, storage, sale, transportation, handling, and use of explosives. The proposal updates and clarifies the regulatory language, addresses regulatory inconsistencies between OSHA and other Federal agencies, incorporates updated consensus standards, and provides the regulated community with greater compliance flexibility.

OSHA solicits public comments concerning its proposal to extend OMB approval of the information collection requirements specified in its Asbestos in General Industry Standard (29 CFR 1910.1001). The Standard protects employees from the adverse health effects that may result from occupational exposure to Asbestos in General Industry, including asbestosis, an emphysema-like condition; lung cancer; mesothelioma; and gastrointestinal cancer.

OSHA solicits public comment concerning its proposal to extend OMB approval of the information collection requirements specified in its Standard on Presence Sensing Device Initiation (29 CFR 1910.217(h)).

OSHA solicits public comments concerning its proposal to extend OMB approval of the information collection requirements contained in the construction standards on Fall Protection Systems Criteria and Practices (29 CFR 1926.502) and Training Requirements (29 CFR 1926.503). The Fall Protection Systems Criteria and Practices Standard allows employers to develop alternative procedures to the use of conventional fall protection systems when the systems are infeasible or create a greater hazard. The alternative procedures (plan) must be written. Also, employers who use safety net systems may certify that the installation meets the Standard's criteria in lieu of performing a drop-test on the net. The Training Requirements Standard requires employers to prepare training certification records for their employees. The plan and certification records ensure that employers comply with the requirements to protect employees from falls.

OSHA solicits public comment concerning its proposal to extend OMB approval of the information collection requirement specified in its standard on Additional Requirements for Special Dipping and Coating Operations (Dip Tanks) (29 CFR 1910.126(g)(4)). The provision is to ensure that employers make employees aware of the minimum distance between goods being electrostatically deteared.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) invites interested parties to participate in informal stakeholder meetings on Occupational Exposure to Ionizing Radiation. These meetings are a continuation of OSHA's information collection efforts on ionizing radiation.

This notice announces the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's final decision renewing and expanding the recognition of Southwest Research Institute (SWRI) as a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory under 29 CFR 1910.7.

The Federal Advisory Council on Occupational Safety and Health (FACOSH) will meet March 1, 2007, in Washington, DC.

OSHA solicits public comments concerning its proposal to extend OMB approval of the information collection requirements contained in its Formaldehyde Standard (29 CFR 1910.1048). The Standard protects employees from the adverse health effects that may result from occupational exposure to Formaldehyde, including an itchy, runny, and stuffy nose; a dry or sore throat; eye irritation; headache; and cancer of the lung, buccal cavity, and pharynx.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is revising the general industry electrical installation standard found in Subpart S of 29 CFR Part 1910. The Agency has determined that electrical hazards in the workplace pose a significant risk of injury or death to employees, and that the requirements in the revised standard, which draw heavily from the 2000 edition of the National Fire Protection Association's (NFPA) Electrical Safety Requirements for Employee Workplaces (NFPA 70E), and the 2002 edition of the National Electrical Code (NEC), are reasonably necessary to provide protection from these hazards. This final rule focuses on safety in the design and installation of electric equipment in the workplace. This revision will provide the first update of the installation requirements in the general industry electrical installation standard since 1981. OSHA is also replacing the reference to the 1971 NEC in the mandatory appendix to the general industry powered platform standard found in Subpart F of 29 CFR Part 1910 with a reference to OSHA's electrical installation standard.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration announces that OMB has extended its approval for a number of information collection requirements found in sections of 29 CFR parts 1910, 1915, 1917, 1918, 1926, and 1928. OSHA sought approval under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA-95), and, as required by that Act, is announcing the approval numbers and expiration dates for those requirements.

The Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health invites interested parties to submit nominations for membership on ACCSH.

OSHA requests comment concerning its request for an extension of the information-collection requirements specified by its Regulation on National Recognized Testing Laboratory (29 CFR 1910.7). The Regulation specifies procedures that organizations must follow to apply for, and to maintain, OSHA's recognition to test and certify equipment, products, or material for workplace safety purposes.