[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 202 (Monday, October 20, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 54382-54383]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-27691]
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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
29 CFR Part 1910
RIN 1218-AAA95
Methylene Chloride; Amendment; Extension of Start-up Dates
AGENCY: Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA),
Department of Labor.
ACTION: Final Rule; amendment; extension of start-up dates of
compliance.
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SUMMARY: The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is
extending the start-up date for most provisions of the methylene
chloride standard for larger employers by 45 days to December 21, 1997.
Larger employers were required to commence initial monitoring by
September 7, 1997, and that date is unchanged. OSHA is also extending
the start-up date for initial monitoring for foam manufacturers with 20
to 99 employees by 45 days to December 21, 1997, Employers with fewer
than 20 employees have later start-up dates, which are not changed.
DATES: The effective date of this amendment is October 20, 1997.
Compliance: The start-up date for all provisions of the methylene
chloride standard except initial monitoring and engineering controls
for employers specified in Sec. 1910.1052(n)(2)(iii)(C) is extended to
December 21, 1997 (255 days after the effective date of the standard).
The start-up date for the initial monitoring provision of the
[[Page 54383]]
methylene chloride standard is extended to December 21, 1997 (255 days
after the effective date of the standard) for employers specified in
Sec. 1910.1052(n)(2)(i)(B).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Bonnie Friedman, Director, OSHA Office of Public Affairs, U.S.
Department of Labor, Room N3647, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW,
Washington, DC 20210, telephone (202) 219-8151.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: OSHA published a new methylene chloride
standard January 10, 1997 (62 FR 1494). That standard included extended
start-up dates for its various provisions depending on the size of the
employer. The three categories of employers were employers with fewer
than 20 employees, foam manufactures with 20-99 employees, and ``all
other employers.''
OSHA published notification of OMB approval of information
collection requirements on August 8, 1997 (62 FR 42666). As the start-
up date for initial monitoring for ``all other employers'' was August
8, 1997, OSHA extended that date to September 7, 1997 to provide added
notice to implement compliance.
On September 15, 1997 (62 FR 48175), OSHA published a notice
extending the start-up date for all provisions of the standard except
initial monitoring (and engineering controls, which already had a later
start-up date) from October 7, 1997 to November 6, 1997 for ``all other
employers.'' Other start-up dates were left unchanged.
OSHA has concluded that an additional 45 days (to December 21,
1997) is needed for implementation of the provisions except initial
monitoring and engineering controls for ``all other employers.'' This
allows for a more efficient and effective implementation of those
provisions. OSHA has also concluded that an additional 45 days (to
December 21, 1997) is needed for foam manufacturers with between 20 and
29 employees to comply with the initial monitoring requirements. OSHA
is amending paragraphs Sec. 1910.1052(n)(2)(i)(B) and
Sec. 1910.1052(n)(2)(iii)(C) to implement this decision.
The date for completion of initial monitoring for employers with
fewer than 20 employees is February 4, 1998, and remains unchanged. See
62 FR 1606 (January 10, 1997) for a listing of effective and start-up
dates.
OSHA finds that there is good cause to issue this extension without
notice and public comment because following such procedures would be
impractical, unnecessary or contrary to the public interest in this
case. OSHA believes that it is in the public interest to give certain
employers additional time to implement certain provisions.
Authority And Signature
This document was prepared under the direction of Gregory R.
Watchman, Acting Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety
and Health, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW,
Washington, D.C. 20210.
Signed at Washington, DC this 15th day of October 1997.
Gregory R. Watchman,
Acting Assistant Secretary of Labor.
List of Subjects in 29 CFR Part 1910
Chemicals, Hazardous Substances, Occupational safety and health,
Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.
PART 1910--[AMENDED]
1. The general authority citation for subpart Z of CFR 29 part 1910
continues to read, in part, as follows:
Authority: Sections 4, 6, and 8 of the Occupational Safety and
Health Act of 1970 (29 U.S.C. 653, 655, and 657 ); Secretary of
Labor's Order No. 12-71 (36 FR 8754), 8-76 (41 FR 25059), 9-83 (48
FR 35736), 1-90 (55 FR 9033), or 6-96 (62(FR 111), as applicable;
and 29 CFR Part 1911.
* * * * *
2. Paragraphs (n)(2)(i)(B) and (n)(2)(iii)(C) of Sec. 1910.1052 are
revised to read as follows:
Sec. 1910.1052 Methylene Chloride.
* * * * *
(n) * * *
(2) * * *
(i) * * *
(B) for polyurethane foam manufactures with 20 to 99 employees with
255 days after the effective date of this section.
(ii) * * *
(iii) * * *
(C) For all other employers within 255 days after the effective
date of this section.
* * * * *
[FR Doc. 97-27691 Filed 10-17-97; 8:45 am]
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