Occupational Safety and Health Administration 2015 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

On August 18, 2015 OSHA published in the Federal Register a direct final rule that streamlined provisions on State Plans. OSHA stated in that document that it would withdraw the companion proposed rule and confirm the effective date of the final rule if the Agency received no significant adverse comments on the direct final rule or the proposal. Since OSHA received no comments on the direct final rule or the proposal, the Agency now confirms that the direct final rule became effective as a final rule on October 19, 2015. The proposed rule and the direct final rule also requested comments on the collections of information contained in State Plan regulations under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approved those collections of information.

OSHA solicits public comments concerning its proposal to extend the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) approval of the information collection requirements contained in the Hexavalent Chromium Standards for General Industry (29 CFR 1910.1026), Shipyard Employment (29 CFR 1915.1026), and Construction (29 CFR 1926.1126).

In this notice, OSHA announces the application of Quality Auditing Institute, Ltd. for expansion of its recognition as a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL) and presents the Agency's preliminary finding to grant the application. Additionally, OSHA proposes to add a new test standard to the NRTL list of appropriate test standards.

In this notice, OSHA announces its final decision to expand the scope of recognition for Canadian Standards Association, as a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL).

In this notice, OSHA announces the application of Nucor Steel Connecticut Incorporated for a permanent variance and interim order from the provisions of OSHA standards that regulate the control of hazardous energy (lockout/tagout) and presents the Agency's preliminary finding to grant the permanent variance. OSHA invites the public to submit comments on the variance application to assist the Agency in determining whether to grant the applicant a permanent variance based on the conditions specified in this notice of the application.

The Secretary of Labor has renewed the FACOSH charter and appointed six individuals to serve on FACOSH.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration announces that OMB extended its approval for a number of information collection requirements found in sections of 29 CFR parts 1910, 1915, and 1926, and regulations on Safety and Health On-site Consultation Agreements, Recordkeeping and Reporting Occupational Injuries and Illnesses, and Occupational Safety and Health Act Variances. OSHA sought approval of these requirements under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA), and, as required by that Act, is announcing the approval numbers and expiration dates for these requirements.

This notice is to advise interested persons that on Thursday, November 12, 2015, OSHA will conduct a public meeting to discuss proposals in preparation for the 30th session of the United Nations Sub-Committee of Experts on the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (UNSCEGHS) to be held December 9 to December 11, 2015 in Geneva, Switzerland. OSHA, along with the U.S. Interagency GHS (Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals) Coordinating Group, plans to consider the comments and information gathered at this public meeting when developing the U.S. Government positions for the UNSCEGHS meeting. Members of the Regulatory Cooperation Council (RCC) will be present to update Canada's status of their GHS policy and procedures. International conference call capability will be available for this portion of the public meeting. Also, on Thursday, November 12, 2015, the Department of Transportation (DOT), Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) will conduct a public meeting (See Docket No. PHMSA-2015-0188, Notice No. 15-19) to discuss proposals in preparation for the 48th session of the United Nations Sub-Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods (UNSCOE TDG) to be held November 30 to December 9, 2015, in Geneva, Switzerland. During this meeting, PHMSA is also requesting comments relative to potential new work items that may be considered for inclusion in its international agenda. PHMSA will also provide an update on recent actions to enhance transparency and stakeholder interaction through improvements to the international standards portion of its Web site.

ACCSH will meet December 2, 2015, in Washington, DC. In conjunction with the ACCSH meeting, ACCSH Workgroups will meet December 1, 2015. OSHA also announces the Assistant Secretary of Labor's request for nominations for membership on ACCSH.

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 1,3-Butadiene (BD) Standard (29 CFR 1910.1051).

In this notice, OSHA announces the application of Canadian Standards Association for expansion of its recognition as a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL) and presents the Agency's preliminary finding to grant the application.

OSHA solicits public comments concerning its proposal to extend the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) approval of the information collection requirements contained in the Lead in General Industry Standard (29 CFR 1910.1025).

In this notice, OSHA proposes to revise the schedule of fees that the Agency charges to Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratories (NRTLs) and NRTL applicants. In addition, OSHA proposes to adopt new streamlined procedures for accepting and reviewing applications of organizations seeking to obtain, renew, or expand NRTL recognition.

In this notice, OSHA announces the application of Curtis- Straus LLC for expansion of its recognition as a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL) and presents the Agency's preliminary finding to grant the application.

OSHA solicits public comments concerning its proposal to extend the Office of Management Budget's (OMB) approval of the information collection requirements specified in the OSHA Strategic Partnership Program (OSPP) for Worker Safety and Health.

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 Standard on Blasting and the Use of Explosives (29 CFR part 1926, subpart U).

The Federal Advisory Council on Occupational Safety and Health (FACOSH) will meet Thursday, July 16, 2015, in Washington, DC. This Federal Register notice also announces the appointment of six individuals to serve on FACOSH.

OSHA invites interested persons to submit nominations for membership on the Maritime Advisory Committee for Occupational Safety and Health.

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

This notice is to advise interested persons that on Wednesday, June 10, 2015, OSHA will conduct a public meeting to discuss proposals in preparation for the 29th session of the United Nations Sub-Committee of Experts on the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (UNSCEGHS) to be held June 29 to July 1, 2015 in Geneva, Switzerland. OSHA, along with the U.S. Interagency GHS (Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals) Coordinating Group, plans to consider the comments and information gathered at this public meeting when developing the U.S. Government positions for the UNSCEGHS meeting. Also, on Wednesday, June 10, 2015, the Department of Transportation (DOT), Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) will conduct a public meeting (See Docket No. PHMSA-2015-0101, Notice No. 15-6) to discuss proposals in preparation for the 47th session of the United Nations Sub-Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods (UNSCOE TDG) to be held June 22 to June 26, 2015, in Geneva, Switzerland. During this meeting, PHMSA is also soliciting comments relative to potential new work items which may be considered for inclusion in its international agenda and feedback on issues that PHMSA may put forward for consideration by the Sub-Committee, such as enhanced recognition of alternative test methods relevant to the classification of corrosive materials (see further discussion under the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section below). PHMSA will also provide an update on recent actions to enhance transparency and stakeholder interaction through improvements to the international standards portion of its Web site.

OSHA solicits public comments concerning its proposal for completion of a Prerequisite Verification Form for applicants requesting enrollment in Outreach Training Program trainer courses to become an authorized Outreach Training Program trainer and the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) approval of the information collection requirements specified in the Outreach Training Program Requirements (dated February 2013).

OSHA solicits public comments concerning its proposal to extend the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) approval of the information collection requirements specified by the 1,2-Dibromo-3- Chloropropane (DBCP) Standard (29 CFR 1910.1044).

In this notice, OSHA announces its final decision to expand the scope of recognition for TUV Rheinland of North America, Inc., as a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL).

OSHA is adding a new subpart to provide protections to employees working in confined spaces in construction. This new subpart replaces OSHA's one training requirement for confined space work with a comprehensive standard that includes a permit program designed to protect employees from exposure to many hazards associated with work in confined spaces, including atmospheric and physical hazards. The final rule is similar in content and organization to the general industry confined spaces standard, but also incorporates several provisions from the proposed rule to address construction-specific hazards, accounts for advancements in technology, and improves enforceability of the requirements.

OSHA solicits public comments concerning its proposal to extend OMB approval of the information collection requirement contained in the Standard on Reports of Injuries to Employees Operating Mechanical Power Presses (29 CFR 1910.217(g)).