Department of Labor – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

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 U.S. Department of Labor (Department) produces trigger notices indicating which states qualify for EUC08 benefits, and provides the beginning and ending dates of payable periods for each qualifying state. The trigger notices covering state eligibility for this program can be found at: https://ows.doleta.gov/unemploy/claims arch.asp. The following changes have occurred since the publication of the last notice regarding states' EUC08 trigger status: Alaska has triggered ``off'' Tier 3 of EUC08 effective August 24, 2013. Based on data from Alaska for the week ending August 3, 2013, the 13 week insured unemployment rate in Alaska was 3.9 percent, falling below the 4.0 percent trigger rate threshold to remain ``on'' in Tier 3 of EUC08. The week ending August 24, 2013, was the last week in which EUC08 claimants in Alaska who had exhausted Tier 2, and were otherwise eligible, could establish Tier 3 eligibility. Mississippi has triggered ``off'' Tier 4 of EUC08 effective September 14, 2013. Based on data released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics on August 19, 2013, the three month average, seasonally adjusted total unemployment rate in Mississippi was 8.9 percent, falling below the 9.0 percent trigger rate threshold to remain ``on'' in Tier 4 of EUC08. The week ending September 14, 2013, was the last week in which EUC08 claimants in Mississippi who have exhausted Tier 3, and are otherwise eligible, could establish Tier 4 eligibility. Wisconsin has triggered ``off'' Tier 3 of EUC08 effective September 14, 2013. Based on data released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics on August 19, 2013, the three month average, seasonally adjusted total unemployment rate in Wisconsin was 6.9 percent, falling below the 7.0 percent trigger rate threshold to remain ``on'' in Tier 3 of EUC08. The week ending September 14, 2013, was the last week in which EUC08 claimants in Wisconsin who have exhausted Tier 2, and are otherwise eligible, could establish Tier 3 eligibility.

The Department of Labor (DOL) is submitting the Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) sponsored information collection request (ICR) titled, ``Notice Requirements of the Health Care Continuation Coverage Provisions,'' to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval for continued use, without change, in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.).

The Department of Labor (DOL) is submitting the Office of Workers' Compensation Programs (OWCP) sponsored information collection request (ICR) titled, ``Securing Financial Obligations Under the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act and its Extensions,'' to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval for continued use, without change, in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.).

The Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) is publishing revisions to the current regulations implementing the non- discrimination and affirmative action regulations of section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended. Section 503 prohibits discrimination by covered Federal contractors and subcontractors against individuals on the basis of disability, and requires affirmative action on behalf of qualified individuals with disabilities. The final rule adopts several key revisions proposed in the notice of proposed rulemaking. The final rule strengthens the affirmative action provisions by, among other things, requiring data collection pertaining to applicants and hires with disabilities, and establishing a utilization goal for individuals with disabilities to assist in measuring the effectiveness of the contractor's affirmative action efforts. However, some of the NPRM's proposals, particularly with regard to the creation and maintenance of certain records and the conduct of certain affirmative action obligations, have been eliminated or made more flexible in order to reduce the compliance burden on contractors. To implement changes necessitated by the passage of the ADA Amendments Act (ADAAA) of 2008, the final rule also adopts revisions to the definitions and to the nondiscrimination provisions of the implementing regulations. The specific revisions made, and the rationale for making them, are set forth in the Section-by-Section Analysis below.

In response to requests from interested parties, the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is extending the comment period on the Agency's Request for Information (RFI) on Refuge Alternatives for Underground Coal Mines. This extension gives interested parties additional time to review new information on refuge alternatives.

The Department of Labor (DOL) is submitting the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) sponsored information collection request (ICR) titled, ``Operations Under Water,'' to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval for continued use, without change, in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.).

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

The Department of Labor, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, conducts a preclearance 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, the Office of Workers' Compensation Programs (OWCP) is soliciting comments concerning the proposed collection: Regulations Governing the Administration of the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act (LS-200, LS-201, LS-203, LS-204, LS-262, LS-267, LS- 271, LS-274, and LS-513). A copy of the proposed information collection request can be obtained by contacting the office listed below in the address section of this Notice.

OSHA solicits public comments concerning its proposal to revise OMB's approval of the information collection requirements contained in the Cranes and Derricks in Construction Standard (29 CFR part 1926, Subpart CC). Employers and workers use these requirements to help ensure the safe operation of equipment covered by the standard. In addition, OSHA compliance safety and health officers use the information to determine, during an inspection, whether employers are complying with the requirements. In May 2013, OSHA published a final rule that broadened the exemption for digger derricks in the Cranes and Derricks Standard in Construction Subpart CC. As a result, OSHA is revising the Cranes and Derricks Standard in Construction paperwork analysis by reducing the number of entities that are required to comply with these information collection requirements.

The Department of Labor, 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, the Office of Workers' Compensation Programs is soliciting comments concerning the proposal to extend OMB approval of the information collection: Application for Approval of a Representative's Fee in Black Lung Claim Proceedings Conducted by the U.S. Department of Labor (CM-972). A copy of the proposed information collection request can be obtained by contacting the office listed below in the addresses section of this Notice.

Section 101(c) of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 and 30 CFR part 44 govern the application, processing, and disposition of petitions for modification. This notice is a summary of petitions for modification submitted to the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) by the parties listed below to modify the application of existing mandatory safety standards codified in Title 30 of the Code of Federal Regulations.

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 Access to Employee Exposure and Medical Records Standard (29 CFR 1910.1020).

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

The Department of Labor, 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 continuing collections of information in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A). This program helps to assure 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, the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is soliciting comments concerning the extension of the information collection for Health Standards for Diesel Particulate Matter Exposure (Underground Coal Mines) in 30 CFR 72.510 and 72.520.

The Department of Labor (DOL) is submitting the Wage and Hour Division (WHD) sponsored information collection request (ICR) titled, ``Employment Information Form,'' to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval for continued use, without change, in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.).

The Office of Workers' Compensation Programs (OWCP) published a direct final rule in the Federal Register on June 13, 2013, updating existing film-radiograph standards and providing parallel standards for submission of digital radiographs in connection with claims filed under the Black Lung Benefits Act. The comment period closed on August 12, 2013. OWCP is withdrawing the direct final rule because the agency received significant adverse comment.