E9-28591. [No title available]  

  • [Federal Register Volume 74, Number 233 (Monday, December 7, 2009)]
    [Rules and Regulations]
    [Pages 64461-64467]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: E9-28591]
    
    
    [[Page 64461]]
    
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    Part X
    
    
    
    
    
    Department of Labor
    
    
    
    
    
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    Semiannual Regulatory Agenda
    
    [[Page 64462]]
    
    
    
    DEPARTMENT OF LABOR (DOL)
    
    
    
    
    
    
    _______________________________________________________________________
    
    DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
    
    Office of the Secretary
    
    20 CFR Chs. I, IV, V, VI, VII, and IX
    
    29 CFR Subtitle A and Chs. II, IV, V, XVII, and XXV
    
    30 CFR Ch. I
    
    41 CFR Ch. 60
    
    48 CFR Ch. 29
    
    Semiannual Agenda of Regulations
    
    AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, Labor.
    
    ACTION: Semiannual regulatory agenda.
    
    _______________________________________________________________________
    
    SUMMARY: The Internet has become the means for disseminating the 
    entirety of the Department of Labor's semiannual regulatory agenda. 
    However, the Regulatory Flexibility Act requires publication of a 
    regulatory flexibility agenda in the Federal Register. This Federal 
    Register Notice contains the regulatory flexibility agenda. In 
    addition, the Department's Regulatory Plan, a subset of the 
    Department's regulatory agenda, is being published in the Federal 
    Register. The Regulatory Plan contains a statement of the Department's 
    regulatory priorities and the regulatory actions the Department wants 
    to highlight as its most important and significant.
    
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kathleen Franks, Director, Office of 
    Regulatory Policy, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Policy, U.S. 
    Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Avenue NW., Room S-2312, 
    Washington, DC 20210; (202) 693-5959.
    
    Note: Information pertaining to a specific regulation can be obtained 
    from the agency contact listed for that particular regulation.
    
    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Executive Order 12866 requires the 
    semiannual publication of an agenda of regulations that contains a 
    listing of all the regulations the Department of Labor expects to have 
    under active consideration for promulgation, proposal, or review during 
    the coming one-year period. The entirety of the Department's semiannual 
    agenda is available online at www.reginfo.gov.
    
        The Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 602) requires DOL to 
    publish in the Federal Register a regulatory flexibility agenda. 
    The Department's Regulatory Flexibility Agenda published with this 
    notice, includes only those rules on its semiannual agenda that are 
    likely to have a significant economic impact on a substantial 
    number of small entities; and those rules identified for periodic 
    review in keeping with the requirements of section 610 of the 
    Regulatory Flexibility Act. Thus, the regulatory flexibility agenda 
    is a subset of the Department's semiannual regulatory agenda.
    
        The next 12-month review list for the Department of Labor is 
    provided below, and public comment is invited on the listing. A 
    brief description of each rule, the legal basis for the rule, and 
    the agency contact are provided with each agenda item.
    
    Occupational Safety and Health Administration
    
         Methylene Chloride (RIN 1218-AC23)
    
        Bloodborne Pathogens (RIN 1218-AC34)
    
    Employee Benefits Security Administration
    
        Plan Assets-Participant Contributions Regulations (RIN 1210-
    AB11)
    
        In addition, the Department's Regulatory Plan, also a subset of 
    the Department's regulatory agenda, is being published in the 
    Federal Register. The Regulatory Plan contains a statement of the 
    Department's regulatory priorities and the regulatory actions the 
    Department wants to highlight as its most important and 
    significant.
    
        All interested members of the public are invited and encouraged 
    to let departmental officials know how our regulatory efforts can 
    be improved, and are invited to participate in and comment on the 
    review or development of the regulations listed on the agenda.
    
     HILDA L. SOLIS,
    
    Secretary of Labor.
    
                                Employment Standards Administration--Proposed Rule Stage
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                         Regulation
     Sequence                                           Title                                            Identifier
      Number                                                                                               Number
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    392         Proposal to Rescind the Form T-1; Require Subsidiary Organization Reporting; Revise       1215-AB75
                Interpretation Regarding LMRDA Coverage of Public Sector Intermediate Unions..........
    393         Interpretation of the ``Advice'' Exemption of Section 203(c) of the Labor-Management      1215-AB79
                Reporting and Disclosure Act (Reg Plan Seq No. 94)....................................
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    References in boldface appear in the Regulatory Plan in part II of this issue of the Federal Register.
    
    
                                  Employment Standards Administration--Final Rule Stage
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                         Regulation
     Sequence                                           Title                                            Identifier
      Number                                                                                               Number
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    394         Notification of Employee Rights Under Federal Labor Laws..............................    1215-AB70
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    
    [[Page 64463]]
    
    
                                Employee Benefits Security Administration--Prerule Stage
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                         Regulation
     Sequence                                           Title                                            Identifier
      Number                                                                                               Number
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    395         Plan Assets--Participant Contributions Regulation (Section 610 Review)................    1210-AB11
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    
                               Employee Benefits Security Administration--Final Rule Stage
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                         Regulation
     Sequence                                           Title                                            Identifier
      Number                                                                                               Number
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    396         Amendment of Regulation Relating to Definition of Plan Assets--Participant                1210-AB02
                Contributions.........................................................................
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    
                                Mine Safety and Health Administration--Completed Actions
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                         Regulation
     Sequence                                           Title                                            Identifier
      Number                                                                                               Number
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    397         Explosives and Blasting (Section 610 Review)..........................................    1219-AB62
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    
                              Occupational Safety and Health Administration--Prerule Stage
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                         Regulation
     Sequence                                           Title                                            Identifier
      Number                                                                                               Number
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    398         Occupational Exposure to Crystalline Silica (Reg Plan Seq No. 108)....................    1218-AB70
    399         Occupational Exposure to Beryllium....................................................    1218-AB76
    400         Methylene Chloride (Section 610 Review)...............................................    1218-AC23
    401         Occupational Exposure to Diacetyl and Food Flavorings Containing Diacetyl.............    1218-AC33
    402         Bloodborne Pathogens (610 Review) (Section 610 Review)................................    1218-AC34
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    References in boldface appear in the Regulatory Plan in part II of this issue of the Federal Register.
    
    
                           Occupational Safety and Health Administration--Proposed Rule Stage
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                         Regulation
     Sequence                                           Title                                            Identifier
      Number                                                                                               Number
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    403         Confined Spaces in Construction.......................................................    1218-AB47
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    
                             Occupational Safety and Health Administration--Final Rule Stage
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                         Regulation
     Sequence                                           Title                                            Identifier
      Number                                                                                               Number
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    404         Electric Power Transmission and Distribution; Electrical Protective Equipment.........    1218-AB67
    405         Cranes and Derricks in Construction (Reg Plan Seq No. 110)............................    1218-AC01
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    References in boldface appear in the Regulatory Plan in part II of this issue of the Federal Register.
    
    
    [[Page 64464]]
    
    _______________________________________________________________________
    
    
    Department of Labor (DOL)                           Proposed Rule Stage
    
    
    Employment Standards Administration (ESA)
    
    
    
    _______________________________________________________________________
    
    
    
    
    392. PROPOSAL TO RESCIND THE FORM T-1; REQUIRE SUBSIDIARY ORGANIZATION 
    REPORTING; REVISE INTERPRETATION REGARDING LMRDA COVERAGE OF PUBLIC 
    SECTOR INTERMEDIATE UNIONS
    
    Legal Authority: 29 USC 438
    
    Abstract: On October 2, 2008, the Department published a final rule 
    establishing a Form T-1, Trust Annual Report, which certain labor 
    organizations must file to disclose financial information regarding 
    trusts in which they are interested pursuant to the Labor-Management 
    Reporting and Disclosure Act (LMRDA). This rulemaking would propose to 
    rescind the Form T-1. It would instead propose that filers of Form LM-
    2, Labor Organization Annual Report, report on their wholly owned, 
    wholly controlled and wholly financed organizations (``subsidiary 
    organizations'') on their Form LM-2 report. Additionally, the 
    rulemaking would propose to change an interpretation of the LMRDA 
    regarding intermediate bodies. The proposed revised interpretation 
    would state that intermediate bodies are covered only if they are 
    themselves composed, in whole or part, of private sector affiliates.
    
    Timetable:
    ________________________________________________________________________
    
    Action                            Date                      FR Cite
    
    ________________________________________________________________________
    
    NPRM                            01/00/10
    
    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes
    
    Agency Contact: Andrew R. Davis, Chief, Division of Interpretations and 
    Standards, Office of Labor-Management Standards, Department of Labor, 
    Employment Standards Administration, 200 Constitution Avenue NW., FP 
    Building, Room N-5609, Washington, DC 20210
    Phone: 202 693-0123
    Fax: 202 693-1340
    Email: davis.andrew@dol.gov
    
    RIN: 1215-AB75
    _______________________________________________________________________
    
    
    
    393. <> INTERPRETATION OF THE ``ADVICE'' EXEMPTION OF 
    SECTION 203(C) OF THE LABOR-MANAGEMENT REPORTING AND DISCLOSURE ACT
    
     Regulatory Plan: This entry is Seq. No. 94 in part II of this issue of 
    the Federal Register.
    
    RIN: 1215-AB79
    _______________________________________________________________________
    
    
    Department of Labor (DOL)                              Final Rule Stage
    
    
    Employment Standards Administration (ESA)
    
    
    
    _______________________________________________________________________
    
    
    
    394. NOTIFICATION OF EMPLOYEE RIGHTS UNDER FEDERAL LABOR LAWS
    
    Legal Authority: EO 13496
    
    Abstract: Pursuant to Executive Order 13496 of January 30, 2009, the 
    Department of Labor's Employment Standards Administration, proposes to 
    prescribe the size, form, and content of the notice to be posted by a 
    contractor under paragraph 1 of the contract clause described in 
    section 2 of the order. Such notice shall describe the rights of 
    employees under Federal labor laws, consistent with the policy set 
    forth in section 1 of the order.
    
    Timetable:
    ________________________________________________________________________
    
    Action                            Date                      FR Cite
    
    ________________________________________________________________________
    
    NPRM                            08/03/09                    74 FR 38488
    NPRM Comment Period End         09/02/09
    Final Action                    06/00/10
    
    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes
    
    Agency Contact: Andrew R. Davis, Chief, Division of Interpretations and 
    Standards, Office of Labor-Management Standards, Department of Labor, 
    Employment Standards Administration, 200 Constitution Avenue NW., FP 
    Building, Room N-5609, Washington, DC 20210
    Phone: 202 693-0123
    Fax: 202 693-1340
    Email: davis.andrew@dol.gov
    
    RIN: 1215-AB70
    _______________________________________________________________________
    
    
    Department of Labor (DOL)                                 Prerule Stage
    
    
    Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA)
    
    
    
    _______________________________________________________________________
    
    
    
    395. PLAN ASSETS--PARTICIPANT CONTRIBUTIONS REGULATION (SECTION 610 
    REVIEW)
    
    Legal Authority: 29 USC 1135
    
    Abstract: EBSA is conducting a review of the plan assets-participant 
    contributions regulation in accordance with the requirements of section 
    610 of the Regulatory Flexibility Act. The review will cover the 
    continued need for the rule; the nature of complaints or comments 
    received from the public concerning the rule; the complexity of the 
    rule; the extent to which the rule overlaps, duplicates, or conflicts 
    with other Federal rules and, to the extent feasible, with State and 
    local rules; and the extent to which technology, economic conditions, 
    or other factors have changed in industries affected by the rule.
    
    Timetable:
    ________________________________________________________________________
    
    Action                            Date                      FR Cite
    
    ________________________________________________________________________
    
    Begin Review                    03/01/06
    End Review                      02/00/10
    
    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Undetermined
    
    Agency Contact: Melissa R. Dennis, Pension Law Specialist, Department 
    of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, 200 Constitution 
    Avenue NW., FP Building, Room N-5655, Washington, DC 20210
    Phone: 202 693-8500
    Fax: 202 219-7291
    
    RIN: 1210-AB11
    
    [[Page 64465]]
    
    _______________________________________________________________________
    
    
    Department of Labor (DOL)                              Final Rule Stage
    
    
    Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA)
    
    
    
    _______________________________________________________________________
    
    
    
    396. AMENDMENT OF REGULATION RELATING TO DEFINITION OF PLAN ASSETS--
    PARTICIPANT CONTRIBUTIONS
    
    Legal Authority: 29 USC 1135
    
    Abstract: This rulemaking will amend the regulation that defines when 
    participant moneys paid to or withheld by an employer for contribution 
    to an employee benefit plan constitute ``plan assets'' for purposes of 
    title I of ERISA and the related prohibited transaction provisions of 
    the Internal Revenue Code. The regulation contains an amendment to the 
    current regulation that will establish a safe harbor period of a 
    specified number of business days during which certain moneys that a 
    participant pays to, or has withheld by, an employer for contribution 
    to a plan would not constitute ``plan assets.''
    
    Timetable:
    ________________________________________________________________________
    
    Action                            Date                      FR Cite
    
    ________________________________________________________________________
    
    NPRM                            02/29/08                    73 FR 11072
    NPRM Comment Period End         04/29/08
    Final Action                    01/00/10
    
    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes
    
    Agency Contact: Louis J. Campagna, Chief, Division of Fiduciary 
    Interpretations, Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security 
    Administration, 200 Constitution Avenue NW., FP Building, Room N-5655, 
    Washington, DC 20210
    Phone: 202 693-8510
    Fax: 202 219-7291
    
    RIN: 1210-AB02
    _______________________________________________________________________
    
    
    Department of Labor (DOL)                             Completed Actions
    
    
    Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA)
    
    
    
    _______________________________________________________________________
    
    
    
    397. EXPLOSIVES AND BLASTING (SECTION 610 REVIEW)
    
    Legal Authority: 30 USC 811
    
    Abstract: MSHA is reviewing the existing coal and metal and nonmetal 
    standards for explosives and blasting in view of advances in technology 
    and for consistency. The next action will be an advance notice of 
    proposed rulemaking.
    
    Timetable:
    ________________________________________________________________________
    
    Action                            Date                      FR Cite
    
    ________________________________________________________________________
    
    Withdrawn                       09/03/09
    
    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Undetermined
    
    Agency Contact: Patricia W. Silvey, Director, Office of Standards, 
    Regulations, and Variances, Department of Labor, Mine Safety and Health 
    Administration, 1100 Wilson Boulevard, Room 2350, Arlington, VA 22209-
    3939
    Phone: 202 693-9440
    Fax: 202 693-9441
    Email: silvey.patricia@dol.gov
    
    RIN: 1219-AB62
    _______________________________________________________________________
    
    
    Department of Labor (DOL)                                 Prerule Stage
    
    
    Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
    
    
    
    _______________________________________________________________________
    
    
    
    398. OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE TO CRYSTALLINE SILICA
    
     Regulatory Plan: This entry is Seq. No. 108 in part II of this issue 
    of the Federal Register.
    
    RIN: 1218-AB70
    _______________________________________________________________________
    
    
    
    399. OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE TO BERYLLIUM
    
    Legal Authority: 29 USC 655(b); 29 USC 657
    
    Abstract: In 1999 and 2001, OSHA was petitioned to issue an emergency 
    temporary standard by the Paper Allied-Industrial, Chemical, and Energy 
    Workers Union, Public Citizen Health Research Group, and others. The 
    Agency denied the petitions but stated its intent to begin data 
    gathering to collect needed information on beryllium's toxicity, risks, 
    and patterns of usage.
    On November 26, 2002, OSHA published a Request for Information (RFI) 
    (67 FR 70707) to solicit information pertinent to occupational exposure 
    to beryllium including: Current exposures to beryllium; the 
    relationship between exposure to beryllium and the development of 
    adverse health effects; exposure assessment and monitoring methods; 
    exposure control methods; and medical surveillance. In addition, the 
    Agency conducted field surveys of selected work sites to assess current 
    exposures and control methods being used to reduce employee exposures 
    to beryllium. OSHA convened a Small Business Advocacy Review Panel 
    under the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act (SBREFA) 
    and completed the SBREFA Report in January 2008.
    
    Timetable:
    ________________________________________________________________________
    
    Action                            Date                      FR Cite
    
    ________________________________________________________________________
    
    Request for Information         11/26/02                    67 FR 70707
    SBREFA Report Completed         01/23/08
    Initiate Peer Review of Health 
    Effects and Risk Assessment     03/00/10
    
    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes
    
    Agency Contact: Dorothy Dougherty, Director, Directorate of Standards 
    and Guidance, Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health 
    Administration, 200 Constitution Avenue NW., FP Building, Room N-3718, 
    Washington, DC 20210
    Phone: 202 693-1950
    Fax: 202 693-1678
    Email: dougherty.dorothy@dol.gov
    
    RIN: 1218-AB76
    _______________________________________________________________________
    
    
    
    400. METHYLENE CHLORIDE (SECTION 610 REVIEW)
    
    Legal Authority: 5 USC 553; 5 USC 610; 29 USC 655(b)
    
    Abstract: OSHA will undertake a review of the Methylene Chloride 
    Standard (29 CFR 1910.1052) in accordance with the requirements of the 
    Regulatory Flexibility Act and section 5 of Executive Order 12866. The 
    review will consider the continued need for the rule; whether the rule 
    overlaps, duplicates, or conflicts with
    
    [[Page 64466]]
    
    other Federal, State, or local regulations; and the degree to which 
    technology, economic conditions, or other factors may have changed 
    since the rule was evaluated.
    
    Timetable:
    ________________________________________________________________________
    
    Action                            Date                      FR Cite
    
    ________________________________________________________________________
    
    Begin Review                    12/01/06
    Request for Comments            07/10/07                    72 FR 37501
    Comment Period End              10/09/07
    Reopen Comment Period           01/08/08                     73 FR 1299
    Comment Period End              03/10/08
    End Review                      04/00/10
    
    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No
    
    Agency Contact: John Smith, Directorate of Evaluation and Analysis, 
    Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, 200 
    Constitution Avenue NW., FP Building, Room N-3641, Washington, DC 20210
    Phone: 202 693-2400
    Fax: 202 693-1641
    Email: smith.john@dol.gov
    
    RIN: 1218-AC23
    _______________________________________________________________________
    
    
    
    401. OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE TO DIACETYL AND FOOD FLAVORINGS CONTAINING 
    DIACETYL
    
    Legal Authority: 29 USC 655(b); 29 USC 657
    
    Abstract: On July 26, 2006, the United Food and Commercial Workers 
    International Union (UFCW) and the International Brotherhood of 
    Teamsters (IBT) petitioned DOL for an Emergency Temporary Standard 
    (ETS) for all employees exposed to diacetyl, a major component in 
    artificial butter flavoring. Diacetyl and a number of other volatile 
    organic compounds are used to manufacture artificial butter food 
    flavorings. These food flavorings are used by various food 
    manufacturers in a multitude of food products including microwave 
    popcorn, certain bakery goods, and some snack foods. OSHA denied the 
    petition on September 25, 2007, but has initiated 6(b) rulemaking.
    Evidence from NIOSH and other sources indicated that employee exposure 
    to diacetyl and food flavorings containing diacetyl is associated with 
    bronchiolitis obliterans, a debilitating and potentially fatal disease 
    of the small airways in the lung. Severe obstructive airway disease has 
    been observed in the microwave popcorn industry and in food flavoring 
    manufacturing plants. Experimental evidence has shown that inhalation 
    exposure to artificial butter flavoring vapors and diacetyl damaged 
    tissue lining, the nose, and airways of rats and mice. OSHA published 
    an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) on January 21, 2009, 
    but withdrew the ANPRM on March 17, 2009, in order to facilitate timely 
    development of a standard. The Agency subsequently initiated review of 
    the draft proposed standard in accordance with the Small Business 
    Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act (SBREFA). The SBREFA Panel Report 
    was completed on July 2, 2009.
    
    Timetable:
    ________________________________________________________________________
    
    Action                            Date                      FR Cite
    
    ________________________________________________________________________
    
    Stakeholder Meeting             10/17/07                    72 FR 54619
    ANPRM                           01/21/09                     74 FR 3937
    ANPRM Withdrawn                 03/17/09                    74 FR 11329
    ANPRM Comment Period End        04/21/09
    Completed SBREFA Report         07/02/09
    Initiate Peer Review of Health 
    Effects and Risk Assessment     10/00/10
    
    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes
    
    Agency Contact: Dorothy Dougherty, Director, Directorate of Standards 
    and Guidance, Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health 
    Administration, 200 Constitution Avenue NW., FP Building, Room N-3718, 
    Washington, DC 20210
    Phone: 202 693-1950
    Fax: 202 693-1678
    Email: dougherty.dorothy@dol.gov
    
    RIN: 1218-AC33
    _______________________________________________________________________
    
    
    
    
    402. BLOODBORNE PATHOGENS (610 REVIEW) (SECTION 610 REVIEW)
    
    Legal Authority: 5 USC 533; 5 USC 610; 29 USC 655(b)
    
    Abstract: OSHA will undertake a review of the Bloodborne Pathogen 
    Standard (29 CFR 1910.1030) in accordance with the requirements of the 
    Regulatory Flexibility Act and section 5 of Executive Order 12866. The 
    review will consider the continued need for rule, whether the rule 
    overlaps, duplicates or conflicts with other Federal, State or local 
    regulations, and the degree to which technology, economic conditions or 
    other factors may have changed since the rule was evaluated.
    
    Timetable:
    ________________________________________________________________________
    
    Action                            Date                      FR Cite
    
    ________________________________________________________________________
    
    Begin Review                    10/22/09
    Request for Comments            04/00/10
    
    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No
    
    Agency Contact: John Smith, Directorate of Evaluation and Analysis, 
    Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, 200 
    Constitution Avenue NW., FP Building, Room N-3641, Washington, DC 20210
    Phone: 202 693-2400
    Fax: 202 693-1641
    Email: smith.john@dol.gov
    
    RIN: 1218-AC34
    _______________________________________________________________________
    
    
    Department of Labor (DOL)                           Proposed Rule Stage
    
    
    Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
    
    
    
    _______________________________________________________________________
    
    
    
    403. CONFINED SPACES IN CONSTRUCTION
    
    Legal Authority: 29 USC 655(b); 40 USC 333
    
    Abstract: In January 1993, OSHA issued a general industry rule to 
    protect employees who enter confined spaces (29 CFR 1910.146). This 
    standard does not apply to the construction industry because of 
    differences in the nature of the worksite in the construction industry. 
    In discussions with the United Steel Workers of America on a settlement 
    agreement for the general industry standard, OSHA agreed to issue a 
    proposed rule to extend confined-space protection to construction 
    workers appropriate to their work environment.
    
    Timetable:
    ________________________________________________________________________
    
    Action                            Date                      FR Cite
    
    ________________________________________________________________________
    
    SBREFA Panel Report             11/24/03
    NPRM                            11/28/07                    72 FR 67351
    NPRM Comment Period End         01/28/08
    
    [[Page 64467]]
    
    NPRM Comment Period Extended    02/28/08                     73 FR 3893
    Public Hearing                  07/22/08
    Close Record                    10/23/08
    Analyze Comments                03/00/10
    
    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes
    
    Agency Contact: Noah Connell, Deputy Director, Directorate of 
    Construction, Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health 
    Administration, 200 Constitution Avenue NW., FP Building, Room N-3468, 
    Washington, DC 20210
    Phone: 202 693-2020
    Fax: 202 693-1689
    
    RIN: 1218-AB47
    _______________________________________________________________________
    
    
    Department of Labor (DOL)                              Final Rule Stage
    
    
    Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
    
    
    
    _______________________________________________________________________
    
    
    
    404. ELECTRIC POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION; ELECTRICAL PROTECTIVE 
    EQUIPMENT
    
    Legal Authority: 29 USC 655(b); 40 USC 333
    
    Abstract: Electrical hazards are a major cause of occupational death in 
    the United States. The annual fatality rate for power line workers is 
    about 50 deaths per 100,000 employees. The construction industry 
    standard addressing the safety of these workers during the construction 
    of electric power transmission and distribution lines is over 35 years 
    old. OSHA has developed a revision of this standard that will prevent 
    many of these fatalities, add flexibility to the standard, and update 
    and streamline the standard. OSHA also intends to amend the 
    corresponding standard for general industry so that requirements for 
    work performed during the maintenance of electric power transmission 
    and distribution installations are the same as those for similar work 
    in construction. In addition, OSHA will be revising a few miscellaneous 
    general industry requirements primarily affecting electric transmission 
    and distribution work, including provisions on electrical protective 
    equipment and foot protection. This rulemaking also addresses fall 
    protection in aerial lifts for work on power generation, transmission, 
    and distribution installations. OSHA published an NPRM on June 15, 
    2005. A public hearing was held March 6 to 14, 2006. OSHA reopened the 
    record to gather additional information on minimum approach distances 
    for specific range of voltages. The record was reopened a second time 
    to allow more time for comment and to gather information on minimum 
    approach distances for all voltages and on the newly revised Institute 
    of Electrical and Electronics Engineers consensus standard.
    
    Timetable:
    ________________________________________________________________________
    
    Action                            Date                      FR Cite
    
    ________________________________________________________________________
    
    SBREFA Report                   06/30/03
    NPRM                            06/15/05                    70 FR 34821
    NPRM Comment Period End         10/13/05
    Comment Period Extended to 01/
    11/2006                         10/12/05                    70 FR 59290
    Public Hearing To Be Held 03/06/
    2006                            10/12/05                    70 FR 59290
    Post-Hearing Comment Period End 07/14/06
    Reopen Record                   10/22/08                    73 FR 62942
    Comment Period End              11/21/08
    Close Record                    11/21/08
    Second Reopening Record         09/14/09                    74 FR 46958
    Comment Period End              10/15/09
    Public Hearings                 10/28/09
    Post-Hearing Comment Period End 02/00/10
    Final Action                    09/00/10
    
    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes
    
    Agency Contact: Dorothy Dougherty, Director, Directorate of Standards 
    and Guidance, Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health 
    Administration, 200 Constitution Avenue NW., FP Building, Room N-3718, 
    Washington, DC 20210
    Phone: 202 693-1950
    Fax: 202 693-1678
    Email: dougherty.dorothy@dol.gov
    
    RIN: 1218-AB67
    _______________________________________________________________________
    
    
    
    
    405. CRANES AND DERRICKS IN CONSTRUCTION
    
     Regulatory Plan: This entry is Seq. No. 110 in part II of this issue 
    of the Federal Register.
    
    RIN: 1218-AC01
    [FR Doc. E9-28591 Filed 12-04-09; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 4510-23-S
    
    

Document Information

Published:
12/07/2009
Entry Type:
Rule
Action:
Semiannual regulatory agenda.
Document Number:
E9-28591
Pages:
64461-64467 (7 pages)
Docket Numbers:
FR Doc. E9-28591 Filed 12-04-09, 8:45 am
PDF File:
e9-28591.pdf
CFR: (5)
29 CFR 1910
29 CFR 1910
29 CFR 1910
30 CFR None
48 CFR None