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

This rule is a technical amendment announcing Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval for the information collection requirements in the Cranes and Derricks in Construction: Operator Qualification final rule. OSHA sought OMB approval of these requirements under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (the PRA), and is announcing the approval for these requirements. OSHA is also amending its regulations to display the new OMB control number, which is 1218-0270.

In this notice, OSHA announces its final decision to expand the scope of recognition for QPS Evaluation Services, Inc., as a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL).

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).

In this notice, OSHA announces the applications of MET Laboratories, Inc., for expansion of recognition as a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL) and presents the agency's preliminary finding to grant the applications.

The control of hazardous energy is regulated under OSHA's control of hazardous energy (Lockout/Tagout) standard. The standard's purpose is to protect workers from the dangers of hazardous energy. This RFI seeks information regarding two areas where modernizing the Lockout/Tagout standard might better promote worker safety without additional burdens to employers: control circuit type devices and robotics. OSHA's Lockout/Tagout standard currently requires that all sources of energy, including energy stored in the machine itself, be controlled during servicing and maintenance of machines and equipment using an energy-isolating device (EID). Control circuit type devices are specifically excluded from OSHA's definition of an EID and are thus not a compliant method of controlling hazardous energy during service and maintenance activities. But technological advances since the standard was issued in 1989 suggest that, at least in some circumstances, control circuit type devices may be at least as safe as EIDs. OSHA requests information, data, and comments that would assist the agency in determining under what conditions control circuit type devices could safely be used for the control of hazardous energy. OSHA may also consider changes to the Lockout/Tagout standard that address hazardous energy control for new robotics technologies. Employers are increasingly using robots and robotic components in their workplaces. OSHA would like to know more about what hazards and benefits this presents with respect to control of hazardous energy, safeguards that can be used, increased efficiencies that result, and any other information related to ensuring employee safety in interfacing with robots. OSHA will use the information received in response to this RFI to determine what action, if any, it may take to reduce regulatory burdens while maintaining worker safety.

In this notice, OSHA announces the application of QAI Laboratories, Ltd., for expansion of recognition as a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL) and presents the agency's preliminary finding to grant the application.

In response to the President's Executive Order 13563, ``Improving Regulations and Regulatory Review,'' and consistent with Executive Order 13777, ``Enforcing the Regulatory Reform Agenda,'' OSHA is removing or revising outdated, duplicative, unnecessary, and inconsistent requirements in its safety and health standards. The current review, the fourth in this ongoing effort, the Standards Improvement Project-Phase IV (SIP-IV), reduces regulatory burden while maintaining or enhancing worker safety and health, and improving privacy protections.

On December 14, 2018, the Secretary of Labor (the Secretary) announced the renewal of the Maritime Advisory Committee for Occupational Safety and Health (MACOSH). The MACOSH charter will expire after two years on December 14, 2020. On April 11, 2019, the Secretary selected 15 members and a Special Agency Liaison to serve on the Committee. The Committee is a representative balance of the maritime industry representation (e.g., shipyard employment, longshoring, marine terminal, and commercial fishing industries), geographic location, and in the views and interests represented by the members.

In this notice, OSHA announces the final decision to expand the scope of recognition for CSA Group Testing & Certification, Inc. (CSA), as a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL). Additionally, OSHA announces the addition of one test standard to the NRTL Program's List of Appropriate Test Standards.

In this notice, OSHA announces the final decision to expand the scope of recognition for Intertek Testing Services NA, Inc., as a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL).

In this notice, OSHA proposes to: (1) Add new test standards to the Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratories (NRTL) Program's list of appropriate test standards; (2) delete or replace several test standards from the NRTL Program's list of appropriate test standards; and (3) update the scope of recognition of several NRTLs.

In this notice, OSHA announces the application of Underwriters Laboratories, Inc., for expansion of the scope of recognition as a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL) and presents the agency's preliminary finding to grant the application.

OSHA solicits public comments concerning the proposal to extend OMB approval of the information collection requirements contained in the standard on Commercial Diving Operations.

In this notice, OSHA proposes to add a test standard to the NRTL Program's List of Appropriate Test Standards.

OSHA requests information and comment on issues related to requirements in the standards on powered industrial trucks for general, maritime, and construction industries. OSHA is seeking information regarding the types, age, and usage of powered industrial trucks, maintenance and retrofitting of powered industrial trucks, how to regulate older powered industrial trucks, the types of accidents and injuries associated with operation of powered industrial trucks, the costs and benefits of retrofitting powered industrial trucks with safety features, and the costs and benefits of all other components of a safety program, as well as various other issues. OSHA is also interested in understanding whether the differences between the standards for maritime, construction, and general industry are appropriate and effective for each specific industrial sector. OSHA will use the information received in response to this RFI to determine what action, if any, it may take to reduce regulatory burdens while maintaining worker safety.

In this notice, OSHA announces the application of CSA Group Testing & Certification Inc. (CSA) for expansion of recognition as a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL) and presents the agency's preliminary finding to grant the application.

In this notice, OSHA proposes to: (1) Remove and replace a test standard from the NRTL Program's list of appropriate test standards; and (2) update the scopes of recognition of several NRTLs.

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

OSHA solicits public comments concerning the proposal to extend the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) approval of the information collection requirements specified in the Standard on Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for Shipyard Employment.

In this notice, OSHA announces the application of Intertek Testing Services NA, Inc., for expansion of recognition as a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL) and presents the agency's preliminary finding to grant the application.

The U.S. Department of Labor (Department) is publishing this final rule to adjust for inflation the civil monetary penalties assessed or enforced by the Department, pursuant to the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act of 1990 as amended by the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015 (Inflation Adjustment Act). The Inflation Adjustment Act requires the Department to annually adjust its civil money penalty levels for inflation no later than January 15 of each year. The Inflation Adjustment Act provides that agencies shall adjust civil monetary penalties notwithstanding Section 553 of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA). Additionally, the Inflation Adjustment Act provides a cost- of-living formula for adjustment of the civil penalties. Accordingly, this final rule sets forth the Department's 2019 annual adjustments for inflation to its civil monetary penalties.

In accordance with the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), and after consultation with the General Services Administration, the Secretary of Labor is renewing the charter for the Maritime Advisory Committee for Occupational Safety and Health (MACOSH). The Committee will provide OSHA with expertise related to the Occupational Safety and Health Act (the OSH Act) of 1970. The term of the most recent MACOSH membership expired on January 20, 2018. A request for nominations notice was published in the Federal Register (83 FR 54147 (10/26/2018)). OSHA will publish a list of MACOSH members in the Federal Register.

The Secretary of Labor (Secretary) has renewed the charter for ACCSH.

This notice is to advise interested persons that on Tuesday, November 13, 2018, OSHA will conduct a public meeting to discuss proposals in preparation for the 36th 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 5 through December 7, 2018, in Geneva, Switzerland. OSHA, along with the U.S. Interagency Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) 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. OSHA also will give an update on the Regulatory Cooperation Council (RCC). Also on Tuesday, November 13, 2018, the Department of Transportation (DOT), Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) will conduct a public meeting (See Docket No. PHMSA-2018-0024 Notice No. 2018-11) to discuss proposals in preparation for the 54th session of the United Nations Sub-Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods (UNSCE TDG) to be held November 26 through December 4, 2018, 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 website.

OSHA solicits public comments concerning the proposal to extend OMB approval of the information collection requirements contained in the Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals in Laboratories.