[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 16532]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




       ON WARNING MECHANICS WORKING ON BRAKES CONTAINING ASBESTOS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. DENNIS. J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 28, 2006

  Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I sent the attached letter to the 
Secretary of OSHA, inquiring about the Asbestos-Automotive Brake and 
Clutch Repair Work Safety and Health Information Bulletin on July 12, 
2005.

                                     House of Representatives,

                                                  July 10, 2006.  
     Mr. Edwin G. Foulke,
     Assistant Secretary, Occupation Safety and Health 
         Administration,
     U.S. Department of Labor, Washington, DC.
       Dear Assistant Secretary Foulke: In 2002, OSHA began work 
     on Asbestos-Automotive Brake and Clutch Repair Work Safety 
     and Health Information Bulletin (SHIB) regarding exposure to 
     asbestos-containing brakes. The Bulletin was completed in 
     2005. OSHA and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) met 
     to discuss the matter in August 2005, whereupon the draft 
     SHIB was sent to Dan Crane of OSHA for technical review. Mr. 
     Crane gave it a favorable review, agreeing that mechanics 
     should be warned about the health risks of exposure. However, 
     seven months later, the Baltimore Sun reported that OSHA was 
     delaying issuing the SHIB.
       When does OSHA intend to issue the SHIB? If the Sun's 
     article is correct, what are the reasons for the delay? Was 
     this decision made by OSHA or OMB? Please provide a copy of 
     any meeting minutes and a list of attendees of the August 
     2005 meeting between OMB and OSHA. Please also provide any 
     correspondence between OSHA and OMB regarding the SHIB during 
     the time period beginning in 2002, extending to July 10, 
     2006.
       I look forward to hearing from you.
       Sincerely,
                                               Dennis J. Kucinich,
     Member of Congress.

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