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

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requests comments on a specific proposal submitted to OSHA to permit the use of a Supplier's Declaration of Conformity (SDoC) as part of, or as an alternative to, the Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratories (NRTLs) product approval process.

OSHA solicits public comment concerning its request for an extension of the information collection requirements contained in the Cadmium in General Industry Standard (29 CFR 1910.1027). This standard controls occupational exposure to cadmium, thereby preventing serious disease (e.g., lung cancer, prostate cancer, kidney disease) and death among exposed employees.

OSHA solicits comments concerning its request for an extension of the information collection requirements contained in the Asbestos in Construction Standard (29 CFR 1926.1101). The standard protects employees from adverse health effects from occupational exposure to Asbestos, including lung cancer, mesothelioma, asbestosis (an emphysema-like condition) and gastrointestinal cancer.

OSHA solicits public comment concerning its request for an extension of the information collection requirements contained in its Standard on Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) (29 CFR 1910.120).

OSHA solicits public comment concerning its request for an extension of the information collection (paperwork) requirements contained in the 13 Carcinogens Standard (29 CFR 1910.1003).

OSHA is issuing this final rule to delete from OSHA standards three references to national consensus standards and two references to industry standards that are outdated. Deleting these references will not reduce employee protections. By eliminating the outdated references, however, OSHA will clarify employer obligations under the applicable OSHA standards and reduce administrative burdens on employers and OSHA. These revisions are part of OSHA's overall effort to update OSHA standards that reference, or that include language taken directly from, outdated consensus standards.

OSHA solicits public comment concerning its request for an extension of the information collection requirements contained in the 1,2-Dibromo-3-Chloropropane Standard (the ``DBCP'' Standard) (29 CFR 1910.1044).

OSHA solicits public comment concerning its request for an extension of the information collection requirements specified for aerial lifts by its Vehicle-Mounted Elevating and Rotating Work Platforms Standard (29 CFR 1910.67). The paperwork provision of the Vehicle-Mounted Elevating and Rotating Work Platforms Standard specifies a requirement for maintaining and disclosing the manufacturers' certification records for modified aerial lifts. The purpose of the requirement is to reduce employees' risk of death or serious injury by ensuring that aerial lifts are inspected and/or tested after modification to ensure they are in safe operating condition.

This notice announces the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's final decision expanding the recognition of TUV America, Inc., as a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory under 29 CFR 1910.7.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is conducting a review of the lead in construction standard, 29 CFR 1926.62, under Section 610 of the Regulatory Flexibility Act and Section 5 of Executive Order 12866 on Regulatory Planning and Review. On June 6 (70 FR 32739-42), OSHA requested comments for that review, provided background and gave information on the issues. Requests have been received to extend the comment period to permit the public more time to gather and submit information. Accordingly, OSHA is extending the period.

OSHA solicits public comment concerning its request for an extension of the information collection requirements contained in its Standard on Servicing Multi-Piece and Single Piece Rim Wheels (29 CFR 1910.177).

OSHA solicits public comment concerning its request for an extension of the information collection requirements contained in its Shipyard Employment Standards (29 CFR 1915.113(b)(1) and 29 CFR 1915.172(d)).

OSHA solicits public comment concerning its request for an extension of the information collection requirements contained in the Cotton Dust Standard (29 CFR 1910.1043).

OSHA intends to re-charter the Maritime Advisory Committee for Occupational Safety and Health (MACOSH), which expires in April 2005. MACOSH advises the Secretary of Labor on matters relating to occupational safety and health programs, new initiatives, and standards for the maritime industries of the United States which include Longshoring, Marine Terminals, and Shipyards. The Committee will consist of 15 members and will be chosen from among a cross-section of individuals who represent the following interests: employers, employees; Federal and State safety and health organizations; professional organizations specializing in occupational safety and health; and national standards setting groups. OSHA invites persons interested in serving on MACOSH to submit their names for consideration for committee membership.

This notice contains all of the necessary information and forms needed to apply for grant funding. The U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) awards funds to nonprofit organizations to provide training and education programs or to develop training materials for employers and workers about safety and health topics selected by OSHA. Nonprofit organizations, including community-based and faith-based organizations, that are not an agency of a State or local government, are eligible to apply. State or local government-supported institutions of higher education are eligible to apply in accordance with 29 CFR part 95. This notice announces grant availability for two different categories of Susan Harwood Training grants. General descriptions of the two categories of grants are provided below.

OSHA is proposing to update the existing standard for the construction of electric power transmission and distribution installations and make it consistent with the more recently promulgated general industry standard addressing the maintenance and repair of electric power generation, transmission, and distribution lines and equipment. The proposal also makes some miscellaneous changes to both standards, including adding provisions related to host employers and contractors, flame resistant clothing, and training, and updates the construction standard for electrical protective equipment, makes it consistent with the corresponding general industry standard, and makes it applicable to construction generally. The existing rules for this type of work were issued in 1971. They are out of date and are not consistent with the more recent, corresponding rules for the operation and maintenance of electric power transmission and distribution systems. The revised standard would include requirements relating to enclosed spaces, working near energized parts, grounding for employee protection, work on underground and overhead installations, work in substations, and other special conditions and equipment unique to the transmission and distribution of electric energy. OSHA is also proposing a new standard on electrical protective equipment for the construction industry. The current standards for the design of electrical protective equipment, which apply only to electric power transmission and distribution work, adopt several national consensus standards by reference. The new standard would replace the incorporation of these out-of-date consensus standards with a set of performance-oriented requirements that is consistent with the latest revisions of these consensus standards and with the corresponding standard for general industry. Additionally, OSHA is proposing new requirements for the safe use and care of electrical protective equipment to complement the equipment design provisions. In addition, OSHA is proposing changes to the two corresponding general industry standards. These changes address: Class 00 rubber insulating gloves, electrical protective equipment made from materials other than rubber, training for electric power generation, transmission, and distribution workers, host-contractor responsibilities, job briefings, fall protection (including a requirement that employees in aerial lifts use harnesses), insulation and working position of employees working on or near live parts, protective clothing, minimum approach distances, deenergizing transmission and distribution lines and equipment, protective grounding, operating mechanical equipment near overhead power lines, and working in manholes and vaults. These changes would ensure that employers, where appropriate, face consistent requirements for work performed under the construction and general industry standards and would further protect employees performing electrical work covered under the general industry standards. The proposal would also update references to consensus standards in Sec. Sec. 1910.137 and 1910.269 and would add new appendices to help employers comply with provisions on protective clothing and the inspection of work positioning equipment. OSHA is also proposing to revise the general industry standard for foot protection. This standard has substantial application to employers performing work on electric power transmission and distribution installations, but that applies to employers in other industries as well. The proposal would remove the requirement for employees to wear protective footwear as protection against electric shock.

This notice announces the Agency's final decision on the application of Communication Certification Laboratory, Inc., (CCL) for renewal of its recognition as a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory and for expansion of its recognition to use additional test standards under 29 CFR 1910.7.

ACCSH will meet June 23-24, 2005 in Washington, DC. This meeting is open to the public. Time and Date: ACCSH will meet from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Thursday, June 23, 2005 and from 8:30 a.m. to Noon, Friday, June 24, 2005. Place: ACCSH will meet at Room N-3437 A-C in the Frances Perkins Building, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20210.

OSHA solicits public comment concerning its request for an extension of the information collection requirements contained in its Standard on Slings (29 CFR 1910.184).

This notice announces the application of TUV Product Services GmbH (TUVPSG) for expansion of its recognition to use additional test standards, and presents the Agency's preliminary finding. This preliminary finding does not constitute an interim or temporary approval of this application.

This document amends OSHA's regulations to reflect the Assistant Secretary's decision to grant final approval to the Oregon State Plan. As a result of this affirmative determination under Section 18(e) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, Federal OSHA's standards and enforcement authority no longer apply and Federal concurrent jurisdiction is relinquished with respect to occupational safety and health issues covered by the Oregon plan (with the exception of temporary labor camps). Federal enforcement jurisdiction is retained over private sector establishments on Indian reservations and tribal trust lands, including tribal and Indian-owned enterprises; Federal agencies; the U.S. Postal Service and its contractors; contractors on U.S. military reservations, except those working on U.S. Army Corps of Engineers dam construction projects; and private sector maritime employment on or adjacent to navigable waters, including shipyard operations and marine terminals.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act, OSHA is soliciting public comment on a survey addressing the usefulness and efficacy of automatic external defibrillators (AEDs) in occupational settings.

This notice is an addendum to the 1992 interagency Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the U.S. Department of Labor and the U.S. Department of Energy. That MOU states that DOE has exclusive authority over the occupational safety and health of contractor employees at DOE GOCOs. In addition, the MOU between the departments dated July 25, 2000 on safety and health enforcement at privatized facilities and operations provides that OSHA has regulatory authority over occupational safety and health at certain privatized facilities and operations on DOE land leased to private enterprises. This action is taken in accordance with the July 25, 2000 MOU, which establishes specific interagency procedures for the transfer of occupational safety and health coverage for such privatized facilities and operations from DOE to OSHA. The MOUs may be found on the internet via the OSHA Web page www.osha.gov under the ``D'' for Department of Energy Transition Activities.

International Chimney Corporation, Karrena International, LLC, and Matrix Service Industrial Contractors, Inc. (``the employers'') have applied for a permanent variance from the provisions of the OSHA standards that regulate boatswains' chairs and hoist towers, specifically paragraph (o)(3) of Sec. 1926.452 and paragraphs (c)(1) through (c)(4), (c)(8), (c)(13), (c)(14)(i), and (c)(16) of Sec. 1926.552. In addition, the employers have requested an interim order based on the alternative conditions specified by the variance application. Since these conditions are the same as the conditions specified in the most recent permanent variance granted by the Agency for these boatswains'-chair and hoist-tower provisions, OSHA is granting the applicants' request for interim orders.