Occupational Safety and Health Administration 2012 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This notice announces the opportunity for interested non- profit organizations, including qualifying trade associations, labor unions, and community-based and faith-based organizations that are not an agency of a state or local government to submit applications to become an OSHA Training Institute Education Center and deliver standard classroom instruction on a regional basis. State or local government- supported institutions of higher education are eligible to apply. Eligible organizations can apply independently or in partnership with other eligible organizations, but in such a case, a lead organization must be identified along with a list of any consortium partners. Current OSHA-authorized OSHA Training Institute Education Centers must submit a new application in order to maintain their OSHA Training Institute Education Center status. Applications will only be accepted during the solicitation period and will be rated on a competitive basis. Complete application instructions are contained in this notice. Please note that all applicants selected to be OSHA Training Institute Education Centers must attend a mandatory orientation meeting at the OSHA Directorate of Training and Education, 2020 South Arlington Heights Rd., Arlington Heights, Illinois 60005-4102, at a time and date to be determined. This notice also contains information on a proposal conference designed to provide potential applicants with information about the OSHA Training Institute Education Centers Program. The conference will clarify OSHA expectations for OSHA Training Institute Education Centers, courses and methods of instruction, as well as administrative and program requirements for OSHA Training Institute Education Centers and the OSHA Outreach Training Program. Applicants are strongly encouraged to attend the proposal conference. OSHA will enter into five-year, non-financial cooperative agreements with successful applicants. These authorization agreements are intended solely to facilitate the ongoing monitoring and evaluation of safety training provided by authorized OSHA Training Institute Education Centers. These cooperative agreements will not constitute a grant or financial assistance instrument, and OSHA will provide no compensation to authorized OSHA Training Institute Education Centers.

The Federal Advisory Council on Occupational Safety and Health (FACOSH) will meet May 3, 2012, in Washington, DC. This Federal Register notice also announces the appointment of seven individuals to serve on FACOSH.

This notice announces availability of approximately $1.2 million for Susan Harwood Training Program Grants under the following categories: Targeted Topic Training, and Training and Educational Materials Development Grants.

OSHA solicits public comments concerning its proposal to extend the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) approval of the information collection requirements specified in the Asbestos in Shipyards Standard (29 CFR 1915.1001).

In this final rule, OSHA is modifying its Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) to conform to the United Nations' Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS). OSHA has determined that the modifications will significantly reduce costs and burdens while also improving the quality and consistency of information provided to employers and employees regarding chemical hazards and associated protective measures. Consistent with the requirements of Executive Order 13563, which calls for assessment and, where appropriate, modification and improvement of existing rules, the Agency has concluded this improved information will enhance the effectiveness of the HCS in ensuring that employees are apprised of the chemical hazards to which they may be exposed, and in reducing the incidence of chemical-related occupational illnesses and injuries. The modifications to the standard include revised criteria for classification of chemical hazards; revised labeling provisions that include requirements for use of standardized signal words, pictograms, hazard statements, and precautionary statements; a specified format for safety data sheets; and related revisions to definitions of terms used in the standard, and requirements for employee training on labels and safety data sheets. OSHA is also modifying provisions of other standards, including standards for flammable and combustible liquids, process safety management, and most substance-specific health standards, to ensure consistency with the modified HCS requirements. The consequences of these modifications will be to improve safety, to facilitate global harmonization of standards, and to produce hundreds of millions of dollars in annual savings.

With this document, OSHA is withdrawing the proposed rule that accompanied its direct-final rule revising the Acetylene Standard for general industry.

OSHA solicits public comments concerning its proposal to extend the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) approval of the information collection requirements specified in the Cadmium in Construction Standard (29 CFR 1926.1127).

OSHA is announcing that OMB approved the collection of information requirements contained in the General Working Conditions Standard under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The OMB approval number is 1218-0259.