[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 169 (Thursday, August 29, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 45459-45460]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-21926]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Occupational Safety and Health Administration
[Docket No. H-372]
RIN 1218-AB58


Occupational Exposure to Metalworking Fluids

AGENCY: Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), U.S. 
Department of Labor.

ACTION: Notice of intent to form a Standards Advisory Committee; 
Request for committee membership nominations.

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SUMMARY: OSHA announces its intent to establish a Standards Advisory 
Committee (``the Committee'') to make recommendations regarding a 
proposed rule for occupational exposure to metalworking fluids under 
Sections 6(b)(1) and 7(b) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 
1970. The Committee will consist of a maximum of 15 members and will 
include a cross-section of individuals representing the following 
affected interests: industry; labor; federal and state safety and 
health organizations; professional organizations; and national 
standards-setting groups. OSHA invites interested parties to submit 
nominations for membership on the Committee.

DATES: Nominations for membership must be postmarked by September 30, 
1996.

ADDRESSES: Nominations for membership on the Committee should be sent 
to: OSHA, U.S. Department of

[[Page 45460]]

Labor, Directorate of Health Standards Programs, Metalworking Fluids 
Project Officer, Rm. N-3718, 200 Constitution Avenue, N.W., Washington, 
D.C. 20210.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ann Cyr, Acting Director, OSHA, Office 
of Information and Consumer Affairs, Rm N-3647, U.S. Department of 
Labor, 200 Constitution Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20210; 
Telephone: (202) 219-8151.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    The International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace & 
Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW) petitioned OSHA to take 
emergency regulatory action to protect workers from the risks of 
occupational cancers and respiratory illnesses due to exposure to 
metalworking fluids (Exhibit #1). Subsequently, OSHA sent an interim 
response to the UAW stating that the decision to proceed with 
rulemaking would depend on the results of the OSHA Priority Planning 
Process, a participatory activity designed to set an agenda for the 
Agency to pursue high-priority occupational health and safety hazards.
    Following the final Priority Planning Process report, which 
identified metalworking fluids as an issue worthy of Agency action, the 
Assistant Secretary asked the National Advisory Committee on 
Occupational Safety and Health (NACOSH) for a recommendation about how 
to proceed with a rulemaking for metalworking fluids. In May 1996, 
NACOSH unanimously recommended that OSHA form a Standards Advisory 
Committee to address the problems caused by occupational exposure to 
metalworking fluids. The Assistant Secretary accepted the 
recommendation of NACOSH.

II. Committee Formation

    Section 7 (b) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 
describes the requirements for creating a Standards Advisory Committee. 
The Committee is appointed by the Secretary to assist him in standard-
setting under section 6 of the Act. The Standards Advisory Committee 
will consist of not more than 15 members. The Agency recognizes the 
complex issues surrounding metalworking fluids and encourages the 
nomination of academics and other experienced professionals to the 
Committee. The Agency is particularly concerned with the impact a rule 
on metalworking fluids could have on small employers; therefore OSHA 
specifically requests nominations for Committee membership from the 
small business community.

III. Public Participation

    Applicants should be qualified by experience, knowledge, and 
affiliation, and meet the following criteria:
    Labor--must be recommended by a labor organization representing 
employees who are exposed to metalworking fluids;
    Industry--must be recommended by an industry or association 
representing companies whose employees are exposed to metalworking 
fluids;
    State or Federal Safety and Health Organization--must be a Federal 
or State employee with responsibilities in occupational health and 
safety and have experience in the safe use of metalworking fluids;
    Professional Organizations/National Standards-Setting Groups--must 
be recommended by a professional organization/national standards-
setting group that regulates or represents occupational safety and 
health interests in the safe use of metalworking fluids.
    Interested persons may apply for or nominate other persons for 
membership on this committee. Such nominations should be submitted to 
OSHA, Directorate of Health Standards Programs, Metalworking Fluids 
Project Officer, Rm. N3718, 200 Constitution Ave., N.W. Washington, 
D.C. 20210.
    Each application or nomination must include: (1) The name of the 
applicant or nominee and a description of the interest such person 
seeks to represent; (2) The social security number, address, phone 
number, title, position, experience, qualifications and resume of the 
nominee; (3) Evidence that the applicant or nominee is qualified to 
represent parties having the same interest the person proposes to 
represent; and (4) A written commitment that the applicant or nominee 
shall be able to attend regular meetings of the Committee and 
participate in good faith.

IV. Authority

    This document was prepared under the direction of Joseph A. Dear, 
Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health, U.S. 
Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 
20210, pursuant to Sections 6 (b) (1) and 7 (b) of the Occupational 
Safety and Health Act of 1970 and the Federal Advisory Committee Act, 
5.U.S.C. App. 2.

    Signed at Washington, D.C., this 22nd day of August, 1996.
Joseph A. Dear,
Assistant Secretary of Labor.
[FR Doc. 96-21926 Filed 8-28-96; 8:45 am]
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