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

OSHA solicits public comments concerning its proposal to extend OMB approval of the information collection requirements specified in its Standard on Powered Platforms for Building Maintenance (29 CFR 1910.66).

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is issuing compliance directive STD 03-11-002 Fall Protection in Residential Construction. This directive rescinds compliance directive STD 03-00-001, Plain Language Revision of OSHA Instruction STD 3.1, Interim Fall Protection Compliance Guidelines for Residential Construction, effective on June 18, 1999. There continue to be high numbers of fall-related fatalities in residential construction. The Advisory Committee on Construction Safety and Health, the National Association of Home Builders, and the Occupational Safety and Health State Plan Association have recommended the withdrawal of directive STD 03-00-001.

The National Advisory Committee on Occupational Safety and Health (NACOSH) will meet January 19 and 20, 2011, in Washington, DC.

This notice announces the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's final decision expanding the recognition of MET Laboratories, Inc., as a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL) under 29 CFR 1910.7. This notice also proposes a correction to the scope of recognition of FM Approvals, LLC.

OSHA solicits public comments concerning its proposal to extend OMB approval of the information collection requirements specified in the Bloodborne Pathogens Standard (29 CFR 1910.1030). The information collection requirements specified in the Bloodborne Pathogens Standard provides employers and workers with means to provide protection from adverse health effects associated with occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens.

OSHA is informing the public of a collection of information requirement contained in the Procedures for the Handling of Retaliation Complaints Under the Employee Protection Provision of the Surface Transportation Assistance Act of 1982 interim final rule, published August 31, 2010. This clarification notice informs the public about the means by which to comment on this collection of information requirement prior to OSHA's submission of an information collection request (ICR) extension to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for approval under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

OSHA is informing the public of a collection of information requirement contained in the Procedures for the Handling of Retaliation Complaints Under Section 219 of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 interim final rule, published August 31, 2010. This clarification notice informs the public about the means by which to comment on this collection of information requirement prior to OSHA's submission of an information collection request (ICR) extension to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for approval under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

OSHA solicits public comments concerning its proposal to extend OMB approval of the information collection requirements specified in the Storage and Handling of Anhydrous Ammonia Standard (29 CFR 1910.111). Paragraphs (b)(3) and (b)(4) of the Standard have paperwork requirements that apply to nonrefrigerated containers and systems and to refrigerated containers, respectively; employers use these containers and systems to store and transfer anhydrous ammonia in the workplace.

ACCSH will meet December 9 and 10, 2010 in Washington, DC. In conjunction with the ACCSH meeting, ACCSH Work Groups will meet December 7 and 8, 2010.

OSHA is convening an informal public hearing to receive testimony and documentary evidence on the Walking-Working Surfaces and Personal Protective Equipment (Fall Protection Systems) proposed rule (29 CFR part 1910, subparts D and I), published on May 24, 2010 (73 FR 28862).

OSHA solicits public comments concerning its proposal to extend OMB approval of the information collection requirements specified in the Gear Certification Standard (29 CFR part 1919).

OSHA solicits comments concerning its proposal to extend OMB approval of the information collection requirements for handling of retaliation complaints filed under various whistleblower protection statutes contained in regulations at: 29 CFR part 24, Procedures for the Handling of Retaliation Complaints under Federal Employee Protection Statutes; 29 CFR part 1977, Discrimination Against Employees Exercising Rights under the Williams-Steiger Occupational Safety and Health Act; 29 CFR part 1978, Procedures for the Handling of Retaliation Complaints under the Employee Protection Provision of the Surface Transportation Assistance Act of 1982; 29 CFR part 1979, Procedures for Handling Discrimination Complaints Under Section 519 of the Wendell H. Ford Aviation Investment and Reform Act for the 21st Century; 29 CFR part 1980, Procedures for Handling of Discrimination Complaints Under Section 806 of the Corporate and Criminal Fraud Accountability Act of 2002, Title VIII of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act 2002; 29 CFR part 1981, Procedures for the Handling of Discrimination Complaints under Section 6 of the Pipeline Safety and Improvement Act of 2002; 29 CFR part 1982, Procedures for the Handling of Retaliation Complaints Under the National Transit Systems Security Act of 2007, Enacted as Section 1413 of the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007, and the Federal Railroad Safety Act, as Amended by Section 1521 of the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007; and 29 CFR part 1983, Procedures for the Handling of Retaliation Complaints Under Section 219 of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008. These regulations set forth procedures employees must use to file a complaint with OSHA alleging that their employer violated a whistleblower protection provision contained in certain statutes that prohibit retaliatory action by employers against employees who engage in activities protected by the statutes.

This notice announces the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's final decision expanding the recognition of the Canadian Standards Association as a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory under 29 CFR 1910.7.

This document constitutes OSHA's official interpretation of the term feasible administrative or engineering controls as used in the applicable sections of OSHA's General Industry and Construction Occupational Noise Exposure standards. Under the standard, employers must use administrative or engineering controls rather than personal protective equipment (PPE) to reduce noise exposures that are above acceptable levels when such controls are feasible. OSHA proposes to clarify that feasible as used in the standard has its ordinary meaning of capable of being done. The Agency intends to revise its current enforcement policy to reflect this interpretation. The Agency solicits comments from interested parties on this interpretation.

The Secretary of Labor has reestablished the Charter of the Advisory Committee on Construction Safety and Health (ACCSH) for two years.

The Federal Advisory Council on Occupational Safety and Health (FACOSH) will meet October 21, 2010, in Washington, DC. FACOSH is comprised of 16 members; eight representing federal agency management and eight from labor organizations representing federal employees. On July 1, 2010, the Secretary appointed eight persons to FACOSH. This Federal Register notice also announces these appointments.

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 Training Grant Application.

OSHA is proposing to revise its regulations for the federally- funded On-site Consultation Program to: Clarify the ability of the Assistant Secretary to define sites which would receive inspections regardless of Safety and Health Achievement and Recognition Program (SHARP) exemption status; allow Compliance Safety and Health Officers to proceed with enforcement visits resulting from referrals at sites undergoing Consultation visits and at sites that have been awarded SHARP status; and, limit the deletion period from OSHA's programmed inspection schedule for those employers participating in the SHARP program.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is amending the regulations governing employee protection (or ``whistleblower'') claims under the Surface Transportation Assistance Act of 1982 (STAA), 49 U.S.C. 31105. The amendments clarify and improve procedures for handling STAA whistleblower complaints and implement statutory changes enacted into law on August 3, 2007, as part of the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007 (9/11 Commission Act), Public Law 110-53, 121 Stat. 266. These changes to the STAA whistleblower regulations also make the procedures for handling retaliation complaints under STAA more consistent with OSHA's procedures for handling retaliation complaints under Section 211 of the Energy Reorganization Act of 1974 (ERA), 42 U.S.C. 5851 and other whistleblower provisions.

The National Advisory Committee on Occupational Safety and Health (NACOSH) will meet September 14 and 15, 2010, in Washington, DC. In conjunction with the NACOSH meeting, its Gulf Oil Spill Subgroup will meet.

OSHA solicits comments concerning its proposal to extend the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) approval of the information collection requirements contained in the Welding, Cutting and Brazing Standard (29 CFR part 1910, subpart Q). The information collected is used by employers and workers whenever welding, cutting and brazing are performed. The purpose of the information is to ensure that employers evaluate hazards associated with welding and ensure that adequate measures are taken to make the process safe.

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 paragraphs (b)(1), (b)(6)(i), (b)(6)(ii), (c)(15)(ii), (e)(1)(i), (ii), and (iii) and (f)(2) of the Standard on Rigging Equipment for Material Handling (29 CFR 1926.251). These paragraphs require affixing identification tags or markings on rigging equipment, developing and maintaining inspection records, and retaining proof-testing certificates.

OSHA solicits comments concerning its proposal to extend the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) approval of the information collection requirements contained in the Hydrostatic Testing provision of the Portable Fire Extinguishers Standard for General Industry (29 CFR 1910.157(f)(16)).

OSHA is revising the Cranes and Derricks Standard and related sections of the Construction Standard to update and specify industry work practices necessary to protect employees during the use of cranes

OSHA solicits public comment concerning its proposal to extend the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) approval of the information collection requirements specified in the Standard on Overhead and Gantry Cranes (29 CFR 1910.179).