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

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.

Between 1975 and 1977, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (``OSHA'' or ``the Agency'') granted permanent variances to 24 companies engaged in the construction of cylindrical steel tanks. The variances specified several conditions that served as an alternative means of compliance to the falling-object-protection and fall-protection requirements of the standard on general requirements for scaffolds in effect during this period. In 1996, OSHA revised Sec. 1926.451 to include provisions that duplicated the conditions specified by these variances. Therefore, OSHA believes the alternative means of compliance granted by the variances is no longer necessary, and is proposing to revoke the variances.

OSHA solicits public comments concerning its proposal to extend OMB approval of the information collection requirements contained in the Standard on Permit-Required Confined Spaces (29 CFR 1910.146). The purpose of the information is to ensure that employers systematically evaluate the dangers in permit spaces before entry is attempted, and to ensure that adequate measures are taken to make the spaces safe for entry.

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 13 Carcinogens Standard (29 CFR 1910.1003).

In this notice of proposed rulemaking, the Agency is proposing to revise its Acetylene Standard for general industry by updating a reference to a standard published by a standards developing organization (``SDO standards''). OSHA also is publishing a direct final rule in today's Federal Register taking this same action. This rulemaking is a continuation of OSHA's ongoing effort to update references to SDO standards used throughout its rules.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) published a document in the Federal Register on October 11, 2011 (76 FR 62850), announcing the application of Curtis-Straus LLC for renewal of its recognition as a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL), and presented the Agency's preliminary finding to deny the application. The document contained an incorrect docket number. This notice corrects the docket number.

The National Advisory Committee on Occupational Safety and Health (NACOSH) will meet December 14 and 15, 2011, in Washington, DC. In conjunction with the committee meeting, NACOSH Work Groups will meet on December 14, 2011.

OSHA solicits public comments concerning its request for an extension of the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) approval of the information collection requirements associated with its regulations and program regarding State Plans for the development and enforcement of state occupational safety and health standards (29 CFR Parts 1902, 1952, 1953, 1954, 1955, 1956).

OSHA solicits public comments concerning its proposal to extend OMB approval of the information collection requirements specified in the Standard on Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals in Laboratories (29 CFR 1910.1450).

OSHA solicits public comments concerning its request for an extension of the information collection requirements contained in the Electrical Standards for Construction (29 CFR part 1926, Subpart K) and for General Industry (29 CFR part 1910, Subpart S). The Standards address safety procedures for installation and maintenance of electric utilization equipment that prevent death and serious injuries among construction and general industry workers in the workplace caused by electrical hazards.

OSHA solicits public comments concerning its proposal to extend OMB approval of the information collection requirements specified in the Commercial Diving Operations Standard (29 CFR part 1910, subpart T).

OSHA solicits public comments concerning its proposal to extend the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) approval of the information collection requirement contained in the Standard on Telecommunications (29 CFR 1910.268). The purpose of this requirement is to ensure that workers have been trained as required by the Standard to prevent risk of death or serious injury.

OSHA solicits public comments concerning its proposal to extend OMB approval of the information collection requirements contained in the Shipyard Employment Standards (29 CFR 1915.112(a)(1), 29 CFR 1915.112(b)(1)(i), 29 CFR 1915.112(c)(1)(i), 29 CFR 1915.113(b)(1) and 29 CFR 1915.172(d)). The purpose of the collection of information (paperwork) provisions of the Standards is to reduce workers' risks of death or serious injury by ensuring that equipment has been tested and is in safe operating condition.

This document gives notice of OSHA's approval of a change to the state of Michigan's occupational safety and health state plan to exclude coverage of establishments on Indian reservations which are owned or operated by employers who are enrolled members of Indian tribes. Under the terms of a September 28, 2004 addendum to the September 24, 1973 Operational Status Agreement between OSHA and the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA), jurisdiction and enforcement have been relinquished back to federal OSHA for conducting safety and health inspections and interventions within the borders of all Indian reservations for employers who are ``enrolled members of Indian reservations'', i.e., members of Indian tribes. Non-member employers within the reservations and member employers located outside the territorial borders of Indian reservations remain under MIOSHA jurisdiction. Accordingly, OSHA amends its regulations to reflect this change in the level of federal enforcement.

OSHA invites interested parties to participate in an informal stakeholder meeting on preventing occupational hearing loss. Every year, between 20,000 and 25,000 workers suffer from preventable hearing loss due to high workplace noise levels. The purpose of this meeting is to provide a forum and gather information on the best practices for noise reduction in the workplace, including a discussion on personal protective equipment, hearing conservation programs and engineering controls. OSHA is holding this stakeholder meeting as part of its commitment to work with stakeholders on approaches to preventing occupational hearing loss.

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 Cotton Dust Standard (29 CFR 1910.1043).

The Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health requests nominations for membership on NACOSH.

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 Methylene Chloride Standard (29 CFR 1910.1052).