Department of Labor – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Pursuant to Section 10 of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) (5 U.S.C. App. 2 Sec. 10), notice is hereby given to announce an open virtual meeting of the Advisory Committee on Apprenticeship (ACA) on Tuesday, June 3, 2014, which can be accessed from the Office of Apprenticeship's homepage: https://www.doleta.gov/oa/. The ACA is a discretionary committee established by the Secretary of Labor, in accordance with FACA, as amended in 5 U.S.C. App. 2, and its implementing regulations (41 CFR 101-6 and 102-3). All meetings of the ACA are open to the public. A virtual meeting of the ACA provides a cost savings to the government while still offering a venue that allows for public participation and transparency, as required by FACA.

The Department of Labor (DOL) is submitting the Wage and Hour Division (WHD) sponsored information collection request (ICR) revision titled, ``Disclosures to Workers Under the Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act,'' to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval for use in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.). Public comments on the ICR are invited.

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), is making $1,000,000 available in grant funds for education and training programs to help identify, avoid, and prevent unsafe working conditions in and around mines. The focus of these grants for Fiscal Year (FY) 2014 will be on training and training materials for mine emergency preparedness and mine emergency prevention for all underground mines. Applicants for the grants may be States and nonprofit (private or public) entities. The number of grants awarded will be determined by MSHA's evaluation of grant applications, not to exceed 20 grants. The amount of each individual grant will be at least $50,000.00 and the maximum individual award will be $250,000. MSHA will not be awarding renewal (two-year) grants in FY 2014 under this solicitation for grant applications (SGA). This notice contains all of the information needed to apply for grant funding.

The Department of Labor (DOL), as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, conducts a preclearance consultation program to provide the public and Federal agencies with an opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing collections of information in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)). This program helps ensure that requested data can be provided in the desired format, reporting burden (time and financial resources) is minimized, collection instruments are clearly understood, and the impact of collection requirements on respondents can be properly assessed. Currently, ETA is soliciting comments concerning the collection of data about Form ETA-9089, Application for Permanent Employment Certification (OMB Control Number 1205-0451), which expires August 31, 2014. The form is used in DOL's employment-based immigration program by employers to request permission to bring foreign workers to the United States as immigrants, and in the Department of Homeland Security's National Interest Waiver (NIW) program by individuals applying for a waiver of the job offer requirement if the waiver is deemed to be in the national interest.

This notice is to advise interested persons that on Wednesday, June 11, 2014, OSHA will conduct a public meeting to discuss proposals in preparation for the 27th session of the United Nations Sub-Committee of Experts on the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (UNSCEGHS) to be held July 2 to 4, 2014 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 11, 2014, the Department of Transportation (DOT), Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) will conduct a public meeting (See Docket No. PHMSA-2014-0033) to discuss proposals in preparation for the 45th session of the United Nations Sub-Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods (UNSCOE TDG) to be held June 23 to July 2, 2014, in Geneva, Switzerland.

The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is revising the Agency's existing standards on miners' occupational exposure to respirable coal mine dust in order to: Lower the existing exposure limits; provide for full-shift sampling; redefine the term ``normal production shift''; and add reexamination and decertification requirements for persons certified to sample for dust, and maintain and calibrate sampling devices. In addition, the rule provides for single shift compliance sampling by MSHA inspectors, establishes sampling requirements for mine operators' use of the Continuous Personal Dust Monitor (CPDM), requires operator corrective action on a single, full- shift operator sample, changes the averaging method to determine compliance on operator samples, and expands requirements for medical surveillance of coal miners. Chronic exposure to respirable coal mine dust causes lung diseases that can lead to permanent disability and death. The final rule will greatly improve health protections for coal miners by reducing their occupational exposure to respirable coal mine dust and by lowering the risk that they will suffer material impairment of health or functional capacity over their working lives.

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, conducts a pre- clearance consultation program to provide the general public and Federal agencies with an opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing collections of information in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA95) [44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)]. This program helps to ensure that requested data can be provided in the desired format, reporting burden (time and financial resources) is minimized, collection instruments are clearly understood, and the impact of collection requirements on respondents can be properly assessed. Currently, DOL's Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) is soliciting comments concerning the proposed collection of information for the Employment First Leadership State Mentoring Program Community of Practice Survey. A copy of the proposed information collection request (ICR) can be obtained by contacting the office listed below in the ADDRESSES section of this notice.

The Department of Labor (Department), as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, conducts a preclearance consultation program to provide the public and Federal agencies with an opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing collections of information in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 [44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)]. This program helps ensure that requested data can be provided in the desired format, reporting burden (time and financial resources) is minimized, collection instruments are clearly understood, and the impact of collection requirements on respondents can be properly assessed. Currently, ETA is soliciting comments concerning the collection of data about the proposed extension to ET Handbook 336, 18th Edition: ``Unemployment Insurance (UI) State Quality Service Plan Planning (SQSP) and Reporting Guidelines'' which expires October 31, 2014.

The Employment and Training Administration (ETA), U.S. Department of Labor (DOL, or the Department), announces the availability of approximately $450 million in grant funds authorized for the Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training (TAACCCT) Grant Program. The TAACCCT program seeks to increase the number of workers who attain certificates, degrees, and other industry-recognized credentials, helping to meet President Obama's college graduation goal of increasing the percentage of adults with a post-secondary credential by 2020. The overarching goals of the program are to: (1) Increase attainment of degrees, certifications, certificates, diplomas, and other industry-recognized credentials that match the skills needed by employers to better prepare workers eligible for training under the Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) for Workers Program (``TAA-eligible workers'') of chapter 2 of title II of the Trade Act of 1974, 19 U.S.C. 2271-2323, and other adults for high-wage, high-skill employment or re- employment in growth industry sectors; (2) introduce or replicate innovative and effective methods for designing and delivering instruction that address specific industry needs and lead to improved learning, completion, and other outcomes for TAA-eligible workers and other adults; and (3) demonstrate improved employment outcomes. The Department intends to make grant awards to eligible single institution applicants ranging from approximately $2,260,000 to $2,500,000, up to a total of approximately $150 million. Under this SGA, DOL intends to make approximately 15 to 25 grant awards to consortia of eligible institutions, up to a total of approximately $300 million in grant awards to consortium applicants. The Department will provide two tiers of funding for consortium grant awards, based on the number of institutions in the consortium. The complete SGA and any subsequent SGA amendments in connection with this solicitation are described in further detail on ETA's Web site at https://www.doleta.gov/grants/ or on https://www.grants.gov. The Web sites provide application information, eligibility requirements, review and selection procedures, and other program requirements governing this solicitation.

Pursuant to the Council on Environmental Quality Regulations (40 CFR part 1500-08) implementing procedural provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Department of Labor, ETA, in accordance with 29 CFR 11.11(d), gives final notice of the proposed facility improvements at the Treasure Lake Job Corps Center, and that this project will not have a significant adverse impact on the environment. Public scoping was initiated with a notice in the Lawton Constitution in Lawton, Oklahoma on July 16, 2013. The scoping period extended for 30 days, ending on August 16, 2013. No public responses were received. No changes to the text of the environmental assessment (EA) have been made. Implementation of the selected alternative will not have significant impacts on the human environment. The determination is sustained by the analysis in the EA, agency consultation, the inclusion and consideration of public review, and the capability of mitigations to reduce or avoid impacts. Any adverse environmental impacts that could occur are no more than minor in intensity, duration and context and less-than-significant. As described in the EA, there are no highly uncertain or controversial impacts, unique or unknown risks, significant cumulative effects or elements of precedence. There are no previous, planned, or implemented actions, which in combination with the selected alternative would have significant effects on the human environment. Requirements of NEPA have been satisfied and preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement is not required.

Pursuant to the Council on Environmental Quality Regulations (40 CFR part 1500-08) implementing procedural provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Department of Labor, ETA, in accordance with 29 CFR 11.11(d), gives final notice of the proposed construction of the Medical/Dental Building at the Tongue Point Job Corps Center, and that this project will not have a significant adverse impact on the environment. Public scoping was initiated with a notice in the Daily Astorian in Astoria, Oregon on July 25, 2013. The scoping period extended for 30 days, ending on August 25, 2013. No public responses were received. No changes to the text of the environmental assessment (EA) have been made. Implementation of the selected alternative will not have significant impacts on the human environment. The determination is sustained by the analysis in the EA, agency consultation, the inclusion and consideration of public review, and the capability of mitigations to reduce or avoid impacts. Any adverse environmental impacts that could occur are no more than minor in intensity, duration and context and less-than-significant. As described in the EA, there are no highly uncertain or controversial impacts, unique or unknown risks, significant cumulative effects or elements of precedence. There are no previous, planned, or implemented actions, which in combination with the selected alternative would have significant effects on the human environment. Requirements of NEPA have been satisfied and preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement is not required.

Pursuant to the Council on Environmental Quality Regulations (40 CFR part 1500-08) implementing procedural provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Department of Labor, ETA, in accordance with 29 CFR 11.11(d), gives final notice of the proposed construction of the Phase II project at the Detroit Job Corps Center, and that this project will not have a significant adverse impact on the environment. Public scoping was initiated with a notice in the Southfield Sun in Detroit, Michigan on August 21, 2013. The scoping period extended for 30 days, ending on September 20, 2013. No public responses were received. No changes to the text of the environmental assessment (EA) have been made. Implementation of the selected alternative will not have significant impacts on the human environment. The determination is sustained by the analysis in the EA, agency consultation, the inclusion and consideration of public review, and the capability of mitigations to reduce or avoid impacts. Any adverse environmental impacts that could occur are no more than minor in intensity, duration and context and less-than-significant. As described in the EA, there are no highly uncertain or controversial impacts, unique or unknown risks, significant cumulative effects or elements of precedence. There are no previous, planned, or implemented actions, which in combination with the selected alternative would have significant effects on the human environment. Requirements of NEPA have been satisfied and preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement is not required.

In this notice, OSHA announces the application of Underwriters Laboratories, Inc., for expansion of its recognition as a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL) under 29 CFR 1910.7 and presents the Agency's preliminary finding to grant the application. Additionally, OSHA proposes incorporating two new test standards into the NRTL Program's list of appropriate test standards.