[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 130 (Thursday, July 7, 2011)][Unknown Section][Pages 40086-40091]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-15493]
Vol. 76
Thursday,
No. 130
July 7, 2011
Part XI
Department of Labor
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Semiannual Regulatory Agenda
Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 130 / Thursday, July 7, 2011 /
Unified Agenda
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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.
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SUMMARY: This document sets forth the Department's semiannual agenda of
regulations that have been selected for review or development during
the coming year. The Department's agencies have carefully assessed
their available resources and what they can accomplish in the next 12
months and have adjusted their agendas accordingly.
The agenda complies with the requirements of both Executive Order
12866 and the Regulatory Flexibility Act. The agenda lists all
regulations that are expected to be under review or development between
April 2011 and April 2012, as well as those completed during the past
six months.
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 http://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. At this time, there is only one item,
listed below, on the Department's Regulatory Flexibility Agenda.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
Bloodborne Pathogens (RIN 1218-AC34)
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 Department's agenda.
Hilda L. Solis,
Secretary of Labor.
Office of Labor-Management Standards--Proposed Rule Stage
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Regulation
Sequence No. Title Identifier No.
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228....................... Persuader Agreements: 1245-AA03
Employer and Labor
Relations Consultant
Reporting Under the LMRDA.
229....................... Persuader Agreements: 1245-AA05
Consultant Form LM-21
Receipts and
Disbursements Report.
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Office of Workers' Compensation Programs--Final Rule Stage
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Regulation
Sequence No. Title Identifier No.
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230....................... Regulations Implementing 1240-AA02
the Longshore and Harbor
Workers' Compensation
Act: Recreational Vessels.
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Occupational Safety and Health Administration--Prerule Stage
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Regulation
Sequence No. Title Identifier No.
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231....................... Occupational Exposure to 1218-AB76
Beryllium.
232....................... Occupational Exposure to 1218-AC33
Food Flavorings
Containing Diacetyl and
Diacetyl Substitutes.
233....................... Bloodborne Pathogens 1218-AC34
(Section 610 Review).
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Occupational Safety and Health Administration--Proposed Rule Stage
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Regulation
Sequence No. Title Identifier No.
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234....................... Occupational Exposure to 1218-AB70
Crystalline Silica.
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Occupational Safety and Health Administration--Final Rule Stage
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Regulation
Sequence No. Title Identifier No.
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235....................... Confined Spaces in 1218-AB47
Construction.
236....................... Electric Power 1218-AB67
Transmission and
Distribution; Electrical
Protective Equipment
Protective Equipment.
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+DEPARTMENT OF LABOR (DOL)
Office of Labor--Management Standards (OLMS)
Proposed Rule Stage
228. Persuader Agreements: Employer and Labor Relations Consultant
Reporting Under the LMRDA
Legal Authority: 29 U.S.C. 433; 29 U.S.C. 438
Abstract: The Department intends to publish notice and comment
rulemaking seeking consideration of a revised interpretation of section
203(c) of the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act (LMRDA).
That statutory provision creates an "advice" exemption from reporting
requirements that apply to employers and other persons in connection
with persuading employees about the right to organize and bargain
collectively. A proposed revised interpretation would narrow the scope
of the advice exemption.
Timetable:
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Action Date FR Cite
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NPRM................................ 06/00/11 .......................
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Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
Agency Contact: Andrew R. Davis, Chief, Division of Interpretations
and Standards, Office of Labor-Management Standards, Department of
Labor, Office of Labor-Management Standards, Room N-5609, FP Building,
200 Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20210, Phone: 202 693-1254,
Fax: 202 693-1340, E-mail: davis.andrew@dol.gov.
RIN: 1245-AA03
229. Persuader Agreements: Consultant Form LM-21 Receipts and
Disbursements Report
Legal Authority: 29 U.S.C. 433 and 438
Abstract: The Department intends to publish a notice and comment
rulemaking seeking consideration of the Form LM-21, Receipts and
Disbursements Report, which is required pursuant to section 203(b) of
the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act (LMRDA). The
rulemaking will propose mandatory electronic filing for Form LM-21
filers, and it will review the layout of the Form LM-21 and its
instructions, including the detail required to be reported.
Timetable:
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Action Date FR Cite
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NPRM................................ 11/00/11 .......................
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Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
Agency Contact: Andrew R. Davis, Chief, Division of Interpretations
and Standards, Office of Labor-Management Standards, Department of
Labor, Office of Labor-Management Standards, Room N-5609, FP Building,
200 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20210, Phone: 202 693-
1254, Fax: 202 693-1340, E-mail: davis.andrew@dol.gov.
RIN: 1245-AA05
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR (DOL)
Office of Workers' Compensation Programs (OWCP)
Final Rule Stage
230. Regulations Implementing the Longshore and Harbor Workers'
Compensation Act: Recreational Vessels
Legal Authority: 33 U.S.C. 939
Abstract: The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
amended the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act, 33 U.S.C.
901 to 950, to exclude from the Act's coverage certain employees who
repair recreational vessels and who dismantle them for repair,
regardless of the vessel's length. On August 17, 2010, (republished on
October 15, 2010), the Department issued a Notice of Proposed
Rulemaking revising the definition of recreational vessel and
addressing coverage of those employees who work in both qualifying
maritime employment and employment excluded under the amendment. The
comment period ended on November 17, 2010. The Department anticipates
publishing a final rule by December 2011.
Timetable:
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Action Date FR Cite
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NPRM................................ 08/17/10 75 FR 50718
NPRM Republished.................... 10/15/10 75 FR 63425
NPRM Comment Period End............. 11/17/10 .......................
Final Action........................ 12/00/11 .......................
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Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
Agency Contact: Brandon Miller, Chief, Branch of Financial
Management, Insurance and Assessment, Department of Labor, Office of
Workers' Compensation Programs, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW., Room C-
4315, FP Building, Washington, DC 20210, Phone: 202 693-0925, Fax: 202
693-1380, E-mail: miller.brandon@dol.gov.
RIN: 1240-AA02
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR (DOL)
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
Prerule Stage
231. Occupational Exposure to Beryllium
Legal Authority: 29 U.S.C. 655(b); 29 U.S.C. 657
Abstract: In 1999 and 2001, OSHA was petitioned to issue an
emergency temporary standard by the United Steel Workers (formerly 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. OSHA completed a
scientific peer review of its draft risk assessment.
The economic peer review is scheduled to be completed in May 2011.
Timetable:
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Action Date FR Cite
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Request for Information............. 11/26/02 67 FR 70707
Request For Information Comment 02/24/03 .......................
Period End.
SBREFA Report Completed............. 01/23/08 .......................
Initiated Peer Review of Health 03/22/10 .......................
Effects and Risk Assessment.
Complete Peer Review................ 11/19/10 .......................
Economic Peer Review................ 06/00/11 .......................
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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., Room N-3718, FP
Building, Washington, DC 20210, Phone: 202 693-1950, Fax: 202 693-1678,
E-mail: dougherty.dorothy@dol.gov.
RIN: 1218-AB76
232. Occupational Exposure to Food Flavorings Containing Diacetyl and
Diacetyl Substitutes
Legal Authority: 29 U.S.C. 655(b); 29 U.S.C. 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. Evidence indicates
that exposure to flavorings containing diacetyl is associated with
adverse effects on the respiratory system, including bronchiolitis
obliterans, a debilitating and potentially fatal lung disease. OSHA
denied the petition on September 25, 2007, but has initiated 6(b)
rulemaking. 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. NIOSH
is currently developing a criteria document on occupational exposure to
diacetyl. The criteria document will also address exposure to 2,3-
pentanedione, a chemical that is structurally similar to diacetyl and
has been used as a substitute for diacetyl in some applications. It
will include an assessment of the effects of exposure as well as
quantitative risk assessment. OSHA intends to rely on these portions of
the criteria document for the health effects analysis and quantitative
risk assessment for the Agency's diacetyl rulemaking. NIOSH will
initiate public peer review of the criteria document in April, 2011.
Timetable:
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Action Date FR Cite
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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 06/00/11 .......................
Effects and Risk Assessment.
End Peer Review..................... 07/00/11 .......................
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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., Room N-3718, FP
Building, Washington, DC 20210, Phone: 202 693-1950, Fax: 202 693-1678,
E-mail: dougherty.dorothy@dol.gov.
RIN: 1218-AC33
233. Bloodborne Pathogens (Section 610 Review)
Legal Authority: 5 U.S.C. 533; 5 U.S.C. 610; 29 U.S.C. 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 the 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:
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Action Date FR Cite
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Begin Review........................ 10/22/09 .......................
Request for Comments Published...... 05/14/10 75 FR 27237
Comment Period End.................. 08/12/10 .......................
Analyze Comments.................... 06/00/11 .......................
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Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No.
Agency Contact: Keith Goddard, Director, Directorate of Evaluation
and Analysis, Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health
Administration, 200 Constitution Avenue NW., FP Building, Room N-3718,
Washington, DC 20210, Phone: 202 693-2400, Fax: 202 693-1641, E-mail:
goddard.keith@dol.gov.
RIN: 1218-AC34
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR (DOL)
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
Proposed Rule Stage
234. Occupational Exposure to Crystalline Silica
Legal Authority: 29 U.S.C. 655(b); 29 U.S.C. 657
Abstract: Crystalline silica is a significant component of the
earth's crust, and many workers in a wide range of industries are
exposed to it, usually in the form of respirable quartz or, less
frequently, cristobalite. Chronic silicosis is a uniquely occupational
disease resulting from exposure of employees over long periods of time
(10 years or more). Exposure to high levels of respirable crystalline
silica causes acute or accelerated forms of silicosis that are
ultimately fatal. The current OSHA permissible exposure limit (PEL) for
general industry is based on a formula proposed by the American
Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) in 1968 (PEL =
10 mg/cubic meter/(% silica + 2), as respirable dust). The current PEL
for construction and shipyards (derived from ACGIH's 1970 Threshold
Limit Value) is based on particle counting technology, which is
considered obsolete. NIOSH and ACGIH recommend 50 [micro]g/m\3\ and 25
[micro]g/m\3\ exposure limits, respectively, for respirable crystalline silica.
Both industry and worker groups have recognized that a comprehensive
standard for crystalline silica is needed to provide for exposure
monitoring, medical surveillance, and worker training. ASTM
International has published recommended standards for addressing the
hazards of crystalline silica. The Building Construction Trades
Department of the AFL-CIO has also developed a recommended
comprehensive program standard. These standards include provisions for
methods of compliance, exposure monitoring, training, and medical
surveillance.
Timetable:
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Action Date FR Cite
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Completed SBREFA Report............. 12/19/03 .......................
Initiated Peer Review of Health 05/22/09 .......................
Effects and Risk Assessment.
Completed Peer Review............... 01/24/10 .......................
NPRM................................ 06/00/11 .......................
Hearings............................ 10/00/11 .......................
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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., Room N-3718, FP
Building, Washington, DC 20210, Phone: 202 693-1950, Fax: 202 693-1678,
E-mail: dougherty.dorothy@dol.gov.
RIN: 1218-AB70
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR (DOL)
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
Final Rule Stage
235. Confined Spaces in Construction
Legal Authority: 29 U.S.C. 655(b); 40 U.S.C. 333
Abstract: In 1993, OSHA issued a rule to protect employees who
enter confined spaces while engaged in general industry work (29 CFR
1910.146). This standard has not been extended to cover employees
entering confined spaces while engaged in construction work because of
unique characteristics of construction worksites. Pursuant to
discussions with the United Steel Workers of America that led to a
settlement agreement regarding the general industry standard, OSHA
agreed to issue a proposed rule to protect construction workers in
confined spaces.
Timetable:
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Action Date FR Cite
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SBREFA Panel Report................. 11/24/03 .......................
NPRM................................ 11/28/07 72 FR 67351
NPRM Comment Period End............. 01/28/08 .......................
NPRM Comment Period Extended........ 02/28/08 73 FR 3893
Public Hearing...................... 07/22/08 .......................
Close Record........................ 10/23/08 .......................
Final Action........................ 11/00/11 .......................
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Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
Agency Contact: Jim Maddux, Directorate of Construction, Department
of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Department of
Labor, 200 Constitution Avenue NW., Room N-3468, Washington, DC 20210,
Phone: 202 693-2020, Fax: 202 693-1689, E-mail: maddux.jim@dol.gov.
RIN: 1218-AB47
236. Electric Power Transmission and Distribution; Electrical
Protective Equipment
Legal Authority: 29 U.S.C. 655(b); 40 U.S.C. 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 from March 6 through March 14, 2006.
OSHA reopened the record to gather additional information on minimum
approach distances for specific ranges 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. Additionally, a public hearing was held on October
28, 2009. The posthearing comment period ended in September 2010. OSHA
anticipates publishing a final rule in July 2011.
Timetable:
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Action Date FR Cite
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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/ 10/12/05 70 FR 59290
2006.
Public Hearing To Be Held 03/06/2006 10/12/05 70 FR 59290
Posthearing 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 .......................
Posthearing Comment Period End...... 02/10/10 .......................
Final Rule.......................... 09/00/11 .......................
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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., Room N-3718, FP
Building, Washington, DC 20210, Phone: 202 693-1950, Fax: 202 693-1678,
E-mail: dougherty.dorothy@dol.gov.
RIN: 1218-AB67
[FR Doc. 2011-15493 Filed 7-6-11; 8:45 am]
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