[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 228 (Monday, November 29, 1999)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 66595]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-30822]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Occupational Safety and Health Administration

29 CFR Part 1926


Steel Erection Negotiated Rulemaking Advisory Committee

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

ACTION: Negotiated Rulemaking Advisory Committee meeting.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: Under the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act 
(FACA), notice is hereby given of a meeting of the Steel Erection 
Negotiated Rulemaking Advisory Committee (SENRAC). Notice is also given 
of the location of the meeting. This meeting will be open to the 
public.

DATES: The meeting is scheduled for December 16th, 1999. The meeting 
will begin at 8:00 a.m. on December 16th.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the Hyatt Regency Washington--
400 New Jersey Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. 20001; Telephone (202) 737-
1234.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Bonnie Friedman, Director, Office 
of Information and Consumer Affairs, OSHA, U.S. Department of Labor, 
Room N3647, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington DC 20210, (202) 
693-1999.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On May 11, 1994, OSHA established the Steel 
Erection Negotiated Rulemaking Advisory Committee (SENRAC)(59 FR 24389) 
in accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), the 
Negotiated Rulemaking Act of 1990 (NRA) and section 7(b) of the 
Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSH Act). OSHA appointed 
representatives from labor, industry, public interests and government 
agencies to the Committee.
    SENRAC began negotiations in mid June, 1994, and met eleven times 
over an 18-month period. On December 1, 1995, SENRAC agreed on a 
recommended regulatory text for a revised steel erection standard. In 
its Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), OSHA based its proposed 
regulatory text on the Committee's recommendations. In addition, the 
NPRM included a summary and explanation of the provisions, set out the 
legal tests that OSHA standards must meet and solicited public comments 
and evidence on the proposed rule. In addition, OSHA asked the public 
for comments and evidence on specific issues related to the Committee's 
recommendations. The Committee approved OSHA's NPRM on July 24, 1997. 
At that time, OSHA stated that it would consult with the Committee 
prior to the issuance of the final standard.
    OSHA's proposed rule for steel erection was published in the 
Federal Register on August 13, 1998. OSHA received 367 sets of comments 
in response to the notice. A public hearing was held from December 1, 
1998, through December 11, 1998, in Washington, DC. Approximately 50 
individuals/panels provided testimony on various topics in the proposed 
rule. Interest was expressed on a number of issues, including 
controlling contractors, fall protection, providing bolt holes in 
joists over 40', controlled decking zones, the scope of subpart R and 
slippery surfaces (both structural steel and decking). OSHA received 55 
comments during the post-hearing comment period that ended April 12, 
1999.
    Now, the Agency has completed an analysis of the record evidence 
and has developed a draft final steel erection standard. OSHA is 
convening this meeting for the purposes of consulting with the SENRAC 
Committee prior to the issuance of the final standard.
    All interested parties are invited to attend the Committee meeting 
at the time and place indicated above. No advanced registration is 
required. Seating will be available to the public on a first-come, 
first-served basis. Persons with disabilities who need special 
accommodations should contact the Facilitator by December 9, 1999.
    During the meeting members of the general public may informally 
request permission to address the Committee.
    After the meeting, minutes of the meeting and materials prepared 
for the Committee will be available for public inspection at the OSHA 
Docket Office, N-2625, 200 Constitution Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20210; 
telephone (202) 693-2350. Copies of these materials may be obtained by 
sending a written request to the Facilitator.
    The Facilitator, Philip J. Harter, can be reached at Suite 404, 
2301 M Street, NW, Washington, DC 20037; telephone (202) 887-1033, FAX 
(202) 887-1036.

    Authority: This document was prepared under the direction of 
Charles N. Jeffress, Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational 
Safety and Health, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution 
Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20210, pursuant to section 3 of the 
Negotiated Rulemaking Act of 1990 (104 Stat. 4969, Title 5 U.S.C. 
561 et seq.); and Section 7(b) of the Occupational Safety and Health 
Act of 1970 (84 Stat. 1597, Title 29 U.S.C. 656).

    Signed at Washington, DC, this 18th day of November, 1999.
Charles N. Jeffress,
Assistant Secretary of Labor.
[FR Doc. 99-30822 Filed 11-26-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-26-P