[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 113 (Thursday, June 12, 2003)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 35172]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-14856]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Occupational Safety and Health Administration

29 CFR Part 1926

[Docket No. S-030]
RIN 1218-AC01


Safety Standards for Cranes and Derricks

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

ACTION: Notice of Establishment of Negotiated Rulemaking Advisory 
Committee.

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SUMMARY: The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is 
announcing its decision to establish a Crane and Derrick Negotiated 
Rulemaking Advisory Committee under the Negotiated Rulemaking Act 
(NRA), the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSH Act) and the Federal 
Advisory Committee Act (FACA).

DATES: The Charter will be filed on June 27, 2003.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Buchet, Office of Construction 
Standards and Guidance, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, 
U.S. Department of Labor, Room N-3468, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW., 
Washington, DC 20210; Telephone: (202) 693-2345.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with the Federal Advisory 
Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App. I), the Occupational Safety and Health Act 
(29 U.S.C. 651 et seq.) and the Negotiated Rulemaking Act of 1990, (5 
U.S.C. 561 et seq.) and after consultation with the General Services 
Administration (GSA), the Secretary of Labor has determined that the 
establishment of the Crane and Derrick Negotiated Rulemaking Advisory 
Committee is in the public interest in connection with the performance 
of duties imposed on the Department by the Occupational Safety and 
Health Act.
    The Committee will function as a part of the Department's 
rulemaking on revising safety standards for cranes and derricks in 
construction. It will attempt, using face-to-face negotiations, to 
reach consensus on the coverage and the substance of these rules, which 
can be used as the basis of a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking. The 
Committee is responsible for identifying the key issues, gauging their 
importance, analyzing the information necessary to resolve the issues, 
attempting to arrive at a consensus, and submitting to the Secretary of 
Labor proposed regulatory text for an occupational safety standard 
governing worker safety for crane and derrick work in construction.
    Meetings shall be held as necessary, however, no fewer than eight 
meetings shall be held over a two-year period. The Committee will 
terminate two years from the date of this charter or upon the 
publication of a proposed crane and derricks in construction rule, 
whichever is earlier.
    The committee will be composed of no more than 25 members and a 
facilitator, appointed by the Secretary of Labor. Members may represent 
the following interests in appropriate balance: Crane and derrick 
manufacturers, suppliers, and distributors; companies that repair and 
maintain cranes and derricks; crane and derrick leasing companies; 
owners of cranes and derricks; construction companies that use leased 
cranes and derricks; general contractors; labor organizations 
representing construction employees who operate cranes and derricks and 
who work in conjunction with cranes and derricks; owners of electric 
power distribution lines; civil, structural and architectural 
engineering firms and engineering consultants involved with the use of 
cranes and derricks in construction; training organizations; crane and 
derrick operator testing organizations; insurance and safety 
organizations, and public interest groups; trade associations; 
government entities involved with construction safety and with 
construction operations involving cranes and derricks, and other 
companies, organizations, and trade associations whose interests are 
affected by an occupational safety standard governing worker safety for 
crane and derrick work in construction. Also, the Agency is a member of 
this committee.
    The Committee will report to the Assistant Secretary for 
Occupational Safety and Health in compliance with the applicable 
provisions of the FACA and the NRA. Its Charter will be filed under the 
FACA fifteen (15) days from the date of this publication.
    OSHA published a Federal Register Notice requesting comments on the 
advisability of establishing this Negotiated Rulemaking Committee (67 
FR 46612, July 16, 2002). Virtually all commenters agreed with the need 
to establish this committee.

    Authority: This document was prepared under the direction of 
Elaine L. Chao, Secretary of Labor, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 
Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20210, pursuant to section 
6 and 7 of the Occupational Safety and Health Act (29 U.S.C. 655 and 
656); the Negotiated Rulemaking Act of 1990 (5 U.S.C. 561 et seq.); 
the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. Appendix 1); 41 FR 
parts 101-6 and 102-3 and 29 CFR part 1911.

    Signed at Washington, DC, this 6th day of June 2003.
Elaine L. Chao,
Secretary of Labor.
[FR Doc. 03-14856 Filed 6-11-03; 8:45 am]
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