[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 221 (Thursday, November 14, 1996)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 58358-58359]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-29288]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Occupational Safety and Health Administration

29 CFR Part 1952


Supplement to California Plan; Extension of Comment Period

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

ACTION: Extension of comment period.

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SUMMARY: On September 13, 1996, OSHA published a notice requesting 
comments on the California State standard on hazard communication, 
which incorporates Proposition 65, the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic 
Enforcement Act (61 FR 48443). OSHA requested that comments be filed by 
November 12, 1996. OSHA has received a number of requests for extension 
of the comment period. In response to these requests, OSHA is extending 
the comment period for two weeks, until November 26, 1996.

DATES: Written comments and requests for an informal hearing may be 
filed with the OSHA Docket Office by November 26, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be submitted in quadruplicate to Docket T-
032, Docket Office, Room N-2625, U.S. Department of Labor, OSHA, 200 
Constitution Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20210. Comments under 10 
pages long may be sent by telefax to the Docket Office at 202-219-55046 
but must be followed by a mailed submission in quadruplicate. Written 
submissions must clearly identify the issues which are addressed and 
the position taken with respect to each issue. The State will be given 
an opportunity to respond to the public comments. Interested persons 
may request an informal hearing concerning OSHA's consideration of the 
plan change. Such requests also must be received on or before November 
26, 1996 and should be submitted in quadruplicate to the Docket Office, 
Docket T-032, at the address noted above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ann Cyr, Acting Director, Office of 
Information and Consumer Affairs, Occupational Safety and Health 
Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, Room N-3647, 200 Constitution 
Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20210. Telephone: (202) 219-8148.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: States with approved occupational safety and 
health plans under section 18 of the Occupational Safety and Health Act 
of

[[Page 58359]]

1970 (29 U.S.C. 667) are required to enforce standards which are at 
least as effective as those promulgated and enforced by Federal OSHA. 
In addition, any standards which are applicable to products which are 
distributed or used in interstate commerce must be required by 
compelling local conditions and must not unduly burden interstate 
commerce. States may enforce their standards under authority of State 
law while they are under review by Federal OSHA.
    OSHA is reviewing the California hazard communication standard, 
which incorporates the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act. 
Public comment is being sought by OSHA on the following issues.
    1. Whether the California standard and its enforcement are ``at 
least as effective'' as the corresponding Federal standard and 
enforcement.
    2. Whether the California standard:
    (a) Is applicable to products which are distributed or used in 
interstate commerce;
    (b) If so, whether it is required by compelling local conditions; 
and
    (c) Unduly burdens interstate commerce.
    OSHA has received a number of requests for a 30 or 60 day extension 
of the original 60-day comment period. The Statement of Managers' in 
the 1997 Omnibus Spending Bill and Immigration Agreement directed OSHA 
`` * * * to expedite its review and approval or rejection of 
California's hazard communication/proposition 65 standard, and to 
provide a report to the Appropriations Committees on this matter, by no 
later than January 1, 1997.'' In light of this Congressional direction, 
OSHA is granting the request for an extension, but for a more limited 
period of two additional weeks, until November 26, 1996.

    Authority: Sec. 18, 84 Stat. 1608 (29 U.S.C. 667); 29 CFR part 
1902, Secretary of Labor's Order No. 1-90 (55 FR 9033).

    Signed this 8th day of November, 1996 in Washington, D.C.
Joseph A. Dear,
Assistant Secretary.
[FR Doc. 96-29288 Filed 11-13-96; 8:45 am]
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