[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 89 (Monday, May 11, 2009)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 21961-21968]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-10272]


[[Page 21961]]

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Part X





Department of Labor





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Semiannual Regulatory Agenda

[[Page 21962]]



DEPARTMENT OF LABOR (DOL)






_______________________________________________________________________

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Office of the Secretary

20 CFR Chs. I, IV, V, VI, VII, and IX

29 CFR Subtitle A and Chs. II, IV, V, XVII, and XXV

30 CFR Ch. I

41 CFR Ch. 60

48 CFR Ch. 29

Semiannual Agenda of Regulations

AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, Labor.

ACTION: Semiannual regulatory agenda.

_______________________________________________________________________

SUMMARY: This document sets forth the Department's semiannual agenda of 
regulations that have been selected for review or development during 
the coming year. The Department's agencies have carefully assessed 
their available resources and what they can accomplish in the next 12 
months and have adjusted their agendas accordingly.

     The agenda complies with the requirements of both Executive 
Order 12866 and the Regulatory Flexibility Act. The agenda lists 
all regulations that are expected to be under review or development 
between April 2009 and April 2010, as well as those completed 
during the past 6 months.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kathleen Franks, Director, Office of 
Regulatory Policy, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Policy, U.S. 
Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Avenue NW., Room S-2312, 
Washington, DC 20210; (202) 693-5959.

Note: Information pertaining to a specific regulation can be obtained 
from the agency contact listed for that particular regulation.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Executive Order 12866 and the Regulatory 
Flexibility Act require the semiannual publication in the Federal 
Register of an agenda of regulations. As permitted by law, the 
Department of Labor is combining the publication of its agendas under 
the Regulatory Flexibility Act and Executive Order 12866.

     Executive Order 12866 became effective September 30, 1993, 
and, in substance, requires the Department of Labor to publish an 
agenda listing all the regulations it expects to have under active 
consideration for promulgation, proposal, or review during the 
coming 1-year period. The focus of all departmental regulatory 
activity will be on the development of effective rules that advance 
the Department's goals and that are understandable and usable to 
the employers and employees in all affected workplaces.

     In addition, beginning with the fall 2007 edition, the 
Internet will be the basic means for disseminating the Unified 
Agenda. The complete Unified Agenda will be available online at 
www.reginfo.gov, in a format that offers users a greatly enhanced 
ability to obtain information from the Agenda database.

     The Regulatory Flexibility Act, which became effective on 
January 1, 1981, requires the Department of Labor to publish an 
agenda, listing all the regulations it expects to propose or 
promulgate that are likely to have a ``significant economic impact 
on a substantial number of small entities'' (5 U.S.C. 602).

     The Regulatory Flexibility Act (under section 610) also 
requires agencies to periodically review rules ``which have or will 
have a significant economic impact upon a substantial number of 
small entities'' and to annually publish a list of the rules that 
will be reviewed during the succeeding 12 months. The purpose of 
the review is to determine whether the rule should be continued 
without change, amended, or rescinded.

     The next 12-month review list for the Department of Labor is 
provided below, and public comment is invited on the listing. A 
brief description of each rule, the legal basis for the rule, and 
the agency contact are provided with each agenda item.

Occupational Safety and Health Administration

     Methylene Chloride (RIN 1218-AC23)

    Bloodborne Pathogens (RIN 1218-AC34)

Employee Benefits Security Administration

     Plan Assets-Participant Contributions Regulations (RIN 1210-
AB11)

     All interested members of the public are invited and 
encouraged to let departmental officials know how our regulatory 
efforts can be improved, and, of course, to participate in and 
comment on the review or development of the regulations listed on 
the agenda.

     For this edition of the Department of Labor's regulatory 
agenda, the most important significant regulatory actions and a 
Statement of Regulatory Priorities are included in The Regulatory 
Plan, which appears in both the online Unified Agenda and in part 
II of the Federal Register that includes the Unified Agenda.

 Hilda Solis

Secretary of Labor.

                            Employment Standards Administration--Proposed Rule Stage
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Regulation
 Sequence                                           Title                                            Identifier
  Number                                                                                               Number
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
231         Form LM-30, Labor Organization Officer and Employee Report............................    1215-AB74
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 21963]]


                              Employment Standards Administration--Final Rule Stage
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Regulation
 Sequence                                           Title                                            Identifier
  Number                                                                                               Number
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
232         Labor Organization Annual Financial Reports...........................................    1215-AB62
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                            Employee Benefits Security Administration--Prerule Stage
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Regulation
 Sequence                                           Title                                            Identifier
  Number                                                                                               Number
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
233         Plan Assets--Participant Contributions Regulation (Section 610 Review)................    1210-AB11
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                           Employee Benefits Security Administration--Final Rule Stage
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Regulation
 Sequence                                           Title                                            Identifier
  Number                                                                                               Number
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
234         Amendment of Regulation Relating to Definition of Plan Assets--Participant                1210-AB02
            Contributions.........................................................................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                              Mine Safety and Health Administration--Prerule Stage
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Regulation
 Sequence                                           Title                                            Identifier
  Number                                                                                               Number
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
235         Explosives and Blasting (Section 610 Review)..........................................    1219-AB62
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                          Occupational Safety and Health Administration--Prerule Stage
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Regulation
 Sequence                                           Title                                            Identifier
  Number                                                                                               Number
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
236         Occupational Exposure to Crystalline Silica...........................................    1218-AB70
237         Occupational Exposure to Beryllium....................................................    1218-AB76
238         Methylene Chloride (Section 610 Review)...............................................    1218-AC23
239         Occupational Exposure to Diacetyl and Food Flavorings Containing Diacetyl.............    1218-AC33
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                       Occupational Safety and Health Administration--Proposed Rule Stage
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Regulation
 Sequence                                           Title                                            Identifier
  Number                                                                                               Number
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
240         Confined Spaces in Construction.......................................................    1218-AB47
241         Electric Power Transmission and Distribution; Electrical Protective Equipment.........    1218-AB67
242         Cranes and Derricks in Construction...................................................    1218-AC01
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                        Occupational Safety and Health Administration--Long-Term Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Regulation
 Sequence                                           Title                                            Identifier
  Number                                                                                               Number
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
243         Bloodborne Pathogens (610 Review) (Section 610 Review)................................    1218-AC34
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 21964]]

_______________________________________________________________________


Department of Labor (DOL)                           Proposed Rule Stage


Employment Standards Administration (ESA)



_______________________________________________________________________



231.  FORM LM-30, LABOR ORGANIZATION OFFICER AND 
EMPLOYEE REPORT

Legal Authority: 29 USC 432; 29 USC 438

Abstract: The Department intends to review questions of law and policy 
within the recently published changes to the Form LM-30. The Form LM-30 
(Labor Organization Officer and Employee Report) is required by the 
LMRDA. The purpose of the Form, among others, is to identify potential 
conflicts of interest between the labor organization officials and 
their labor organization.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            08/00/09

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes

Agency Contact: Andrew R. Davis, Chief, Division of Interpretations and 
Standards, Office of Labor-Management Standards, Department of Labor, 
Employment Standards Administration, 200 Constitution Avenue NW., FP 
Building, Room N-5609, Washington, DC 20210
Phone: 202 693-0123
TDD Phone: 202 693-1340
Fax: 800 877-8339
Email: [email protected]

RIN: 1215-AB74
_______________________________________________________________________


Department of Labor (DOL)                              Final Rule Stage


Employment Standards Administration (ESA)



_______________________________________________________________________



232. LABOR ORGANIZATION ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORTS

Legal Authority: 29 USC 431(b); 29 USC 438

Abstract: The Department of Labor's Employment Standards Administration 
published a final rule on January 21, 2009, which modified the annual 
financial disclosure report Form LM-2 and established standards and 
procedures by which the Office of Labor Management Standards, pursuant 
to section 208 of the Labor Management Reporting and Disclosure Act 
(LMRDA), 29 U.S.C. 438, may revoke the authorization of a labor 
organization to file a simplified annual financial disclosure report, 
Form LM-3, and instead require it to file the more detailed Form LM-2.
Through notice and comment rulemaking the Department extended the 
effective date of the January 21, 2009 Final Rule to April 21, 2009. 
The effective date and applicability date of the January 21, 2009 Final 
Rule were further extended through notice and comment rulemaking to 
October 19, 2009 and January 1, 2010, respectively. The Department has 
proposed withdrawing the January 21, 2009 Final Rule.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            05/12/08                    73 FR 27346
NPRM Extension of Comment Period 
End                             06/19/08                    73 FR 34913
NPRM Comment Period End         06/26/08
NPRM Comment Period Extended    07/11/08                     73 FR 3491
Final Rule                      01/21/09                     74 FR 3678
NPRM Effective Date Extension 
(60 Days); Request Comment on 
Legal & Policy Questions of 
Final Rule                      02/03/09                     74 FR 5899
NPRM Extension Comment Period 
End                             02/13/09
Final Action Effective          02/20/09                     74 FR 3678
Final Rule; Delaying Effective 
Date for 60 Days                02/20/09                     74 FR 7814
Legal and Policy Questions 
Relating to January 2009 Final 
Rule Comment Period End         03/05/09
NPRM Effective and Applicability 
Date Extension (180 Days)       03/19/09                     74 FR 1700
Final Rule; Delaying Effective 
Date and Applicability Date for 
180 Days                        04/21/09                    74 FR 18132
Proposed Withdrawal of January 
2009 Final Rule                 04/21/09                    74 FR 18172
Final Rule                      10/00/09

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes

Agency Contact: Denise Boucher, Director, Office of Policy, Reports and 
Disclosure, Department of Labor, Employment Standards Administration, 
200 Constitution Avenue NW., FP Building, Room N-5609, Washington, DC 
20210
Phone: 202 693-1185
TDD Phone: 800 877-8399
Fax: 202 693-1340
Email: [email protected]

RIN: 1215-AB62
_______________________________________________________________________


Department of Labor (DOL)                                 Prerule Stage


Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA)



_______________________________________________________________________



233. PLAN ASSETS-PARTICIPANT CONTRIBUTIONS REGULATION (SECTION 610 
REVIEW)

Legal Authority: 29 USC 1135

Abstract: EBSA is conducting a review of the plan assets-participant 
contributions regulation in accordance with the requirements of section 
610 of the Regulatory Flexibility Act. The review will cover the 
continued need for the rule; the nature of complaints or comments 
received from the public concerning the rule; the complexity of the 
rule; the extent to which the rule overlaps, duplicates, or conflicts 
with other Federal rules and, to the extent feasible, with State and 
local rules; and the extent to which technology, economic conditions, 
or other factors have changed in industries affected by the rule.

[[Page 21965]]

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Begin Review                    03/01/06
End Review                      12/00/09

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Undetermined

Agency Contact: Melissa R. Dennis, Pension Law Specialist, Department 
of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, 200 Constitution 
Avenue NW., FP Building, Room N-5655, Washington, DC 20210
Phone: 202 693-8500
Fax: 202 219-7291

RIN: 1210-AB11
_______________________________________________________________________


Department of Labor (DOL)                              Final Rule Stage


Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA)



_______________________________________________________________________



234. AMENDMENT OF REGULATION RELATING TO DEFINITION OF PLAN ASSETS--
PARTICIPANT CONTRIBUTIONS

Legal Authority: 29 USC 1135

Abstract: This rulemaking will amend the regulation that defines when 
participant moneys paid to or withheld by an employer for contribution 
to an employee benefit plan constitute ``plan assets'' for purposes of 
title I of ERISA and the related prohibited transaction provisions of 
the Internal Revenue Code. The regulation contains an amendment to the 
current regulation that will establish a safe harbor period of a 
specified number of business days during which certain moneys that a 
participant pays to, or has withheld by, an employer for contribution 
to a plan would not constitute ``plan assets.''

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            02/29/08                    73 FR 11072
NPRM Comment Period End         04/29/08
Final Action                    09/00/09

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes

Agency Contact: Louis J. Campagna, Chief, Division of Fiduciary 
Interpretations, Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security 
Administration, 200 Constitution Avenue NW., FP Building, Room N-5655, 
Washington, DC 20210
Phone: 202 693-8510
Fax: 202 219-7291

RIN: 1210-AB02
_______________________________________________________________________


Department of Labor (DOL)                                 Prerule Stage


Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA)



_______________________________________________________________________



235. EXPLOSIVES AND BLASTING (SECTION 610 REVIEW)

Legal Authority: 30 USC 811

Abstract: MSHA will review the existing coal and metal and nonmetal 
standards for explosives and blasting in view of advances in technology 
and consistency. The next action will be an advance notice of proposed 
rulemaking.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

ANPRM                           07/00/09

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Undetermined

Agency Contact: Patricia W. Silvey, Director, Office of Standards, 
Regulations, and Variances, Department of Labor, Mine Safety and Health 
Administration, 1100 Wilson Boulevard, Room 2350, Arlington, VA 22209-
3939
Phone: 202 693-9440
Fax: 202 693-9441
Email: [email protected]

RIN: 1219-AB62
_______________________________________________________________________


Department of Labor (DOL)                                 Prerule Stage


Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)



_______________________________________________________________________



236. OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE TO CRYSTALLINE SILICA

Legal Authority: 29 USC 655(b); 29 USC 657

Abstract: Crystalline silica is a significant component of the earth's 
crust, and many workers in a wide range of industries are exposed to 
it, usually in the form of respirable quartz or, less frequently, 
cristobalite. Chronic silicosis is a uniquely occupational disease 
resulting from exposure of employees over long periods of time (10 
years or more). Exposure to high levels of respirable crystalline 
silica causes acute or accelerated forms of silicosis that are 
ultimately fatal. The current OSHA permissible exposure limit (PEL) for 
general industry is based on a formula recommended by the American 
Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) in 1971 
(PEL=10mg/cubic meter/(% silica + 2), as respirable dust). The current 
PEL for construction and maritime (derived from ACGIH's 1962 Threshold 
Limit Value) is based on particle counting technology, which is 
considered obsolete. NIOSH and ACGIH recommend 50[micro]g/m3 and 
25[micro]g/m3 exposure limits, respectively, for respirable crystalline 
silica.
Both industry and worker groups have recognized that a comprehensive 
standard for crystalline silica is needed to provide for exposure 
monitoring, medical surveillance, and worker training. The American 
Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) has published a recommended 
standard for addressing the hazards of crystalline silica. The Building 
Construction Trades Department of the AFL-CIO has also developed a 
recommended comprehensive program standard. These standards include 
provisions for methods of compliance, exposure

[[Page 21966]]

monitoring, training, and medical surveillance.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Completed SBREFA Report         12/19/03
Initiate Peer Review of Health 
Effects and Risk Assessment     06/00/09

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes

Agency Contact: Dorothy Dougherty, Director, Directorate of Standards 
and Guidance, Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health 
Administration, 200 Constitution Avenue NW., FP Building, Room N-3718, 
Washington, DC 20210
Phone: 202 693-1950
Fax: 202 693-1678
Email: [email protected]

RIN: 1218-AB70
_______________________________________________________________________



237. OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE TO BERYLLIUM

Legal Authority: 29 USC 655(b); 29 USC 657

Abstract: In 1999 and 2001, OSHA was petitioned to issue an emergency 
temporary standard by the Paper Allied-Industrial, Chemical, and Energy 
Workers Union, Public Citizen Health Research Group, and others. The 
Agency denied the petitions but stated its intent to begin data 
gathering to collect needed information on beryllium's toxicity, risks, 
and patterns of usage.
On November 26, 2002, OSHA published a Request for Information (RFI) 
(67 FR 70707) to solicit information pertinent to occupational exposure 
to beryllium including: Current exposures to beryllium; the 
relationship between exposure to beryllium and the development of 
adverse health effects; exposure assessment and monitoring methods; 
exposure control methods; and medical surveillance. In addition, the 
Agency conducted field surveys of selected work sites to assess current 
exposures and control methods being used to reduce employee exposures 
to beryllium. OSHA convened a Small Business Advocacy Review Panel 
under the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act (SBREFA) 
and completed the SBREFA Report in January 2008.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Request for Information         11/26/02                    67 FR 70707
SBREFA Report Completed         01/23/08
Initiate Peer Review of Health 
Effects and Risk Assessment     12/00/09

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes

Agency Contact: Dorothy Dougherty, Director, Directorate of Standards 
and Guidance, Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health 
Administration, 200 Constitution Avenue NW., FP Building, Room N-3718, 
Washington, DC 20210
Phone: 202 693-1950
Fax: 202 693-1678
Email: [email protected]

RIN: 1218-AB76
_______________________________________________________________________



238. METHYLENE CHLORIDE (SECTION 610 REVIEW)

Legal Authority: 29 USC 655(b); 5 USC 553; 5 USC 610

Abstract: OSHA will undertake a review of the Methylene Chloride 
Standard (29 CFR 1910.1052) in accordance with the requirements of the 
Regulatory Flexibility Act and section 5 of Executive Order 12866. The 
review will consider the continued need for the rule; whether the rule 
overlaps, duplicates, or conflicts with other Federal, State, or local 
regulations; and the degree to which technology, economic conditions, 
or other factors may have changed since the rule was evaluated.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Begin Review                    12/01/06
Request for Comments            07/10/07                    72 FR 37501
Comment Period End              10/09/07
Reopen Comment Period           01/08/08                     73 FR 1299
Comment Period End              03/10/08
End Review                      09/00/09

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Agency Contact: John Smith, Directorate of Evaluation and Analysis, 
Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, 200 
Constitution Avenue NW., FP Building, Room N-3641, Washington, DC 20210
Phone: 202 693-2400
Fax: 202 693-1641
Email: [email protected]

RIN: 1218-AC23
_______________________________________________________________________



239. OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE TO DIACETYL AND FOOD FLAVORINGS CONTAINING 
DIACETYL

Legal Authority: 29 USC 655(b); 29 USC 657

Abstract: On July 26, 2006, the United Food and Commercial Workers 
International Union (UFCW) and the International Brotherhood of 
Teamsters (IBT) petitioned DOL for an Emergency Temporary Standard 
(ETS) for all employees exposed to diacetyl, a major component in 
artificial butter flavoring. Diacetyl and a number of other volatile 
organic compounds are used to manufacture artificial butter food 
flavorings. These food flavorings are used by various food 
manufacturers in a multitude of food products including microwave 
popcorn, certain bakery goods, and some snack foods. OSHA denied the 
petition on September 25, 2007, but has initiated 6(b) rulemaking.
Evidence from NIOSH and other sources indicated that employee exposure 
to diacetyl and food flavorings containing diacetyl is associated with 
bronchiolitis obliterans, a debilitating and potentially fatal disease 
of the small airways in the lung. Severe obstructive airway disease has 
been observed in the microwave popcorn industry and in food flavoring 
manufacturing plants. Experimental evidence has shown that inhalation 
exposure to artificial butter flavoring vapors and diacetyl damaged 
tissue lining, the nose, and airways of rats and mice. OSHA published 
an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) on January 21, 2009, 
but withdrew the ANPRM on March 17, 2009, in order to facilitate timely 
development of a standard.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Stakeholder Meeting             10/17/07                    72 FR 54619
ANPRM                           01/21/09                     74 FR 3937
ANPRM Withdrawn                 03/17/09                    74 FR 11329
ANPRM Comment Period End        04/21/09
Complete SBREFA Report          07/00/09

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes

Agency Contact: Dorothy Dougherty, Director, Directorate of Standards 
and

[[Page 21967]]

Guidance, Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health 
Administration, 200 Constitution Avenue NW., FP Building, Room N-3718, 
Washington, DC 20210
Phone: 202 693-1950
Fax: 202 693-1678
Email: [email protected]

RIN: 1218-AC33
_______________________________________________________________________


Department of Labor (DOL)                           Proposed Rule Stage


Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)



_______________________________________________________________________



240. CONFINED SPACES IN CONSTRUCTION

Legal Authority: 29 USC 655(b); 40 USC 333

Abstract: In January 1993, OSHA issued a general industry rule to 
protect employees who enter confined spaces (29 CFR 1910.146). This 
standard does not apply to the construction industry because of 
differences in the nature of the worksite in the construction industry. 
In discussions with the United Steel Workers of America on a settlement 
agreement for the general industry standard, OSHA agreed to issue a 
proposed rule to extend confined-space protection to construction 
workers appropriate to their work environment.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

SBREFA Panel Report             11/24/03
NPRM                            11/28/07                    72 FR 67351
NPRM Comment Period End         01/28/08
NPRM Comment Period Extended    02/28/08                     73 FR 3893
Public Hearing                  07/22/08
Close Record                    10/23/08
Analyze Comments                10/00/09

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes

Agency Contact: Noah Connell, Deputy Director, Directorate of 
Construction, Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health 
Administration, 200 Constitution Avenue NW., FP Building, Room N-3468, 
Washington, DC 20210
Phone: 202 693-2020
Fax: 202 693-1689

RIN: 1218-AB47
_______________________________________________________________________



241. ELECTRIC POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION; ELECTRICAL PROTECTIVE 
EQUIPMENT

Legal Authority: 29 USC 655(b); 40 USC 333

Abstract: Electrical hazards are a major cause of occupational death in 
the United States. The annual fatality rate for power line workers is 
about 50 deaths per 100,000 employees. The construction industry 
standard addressing the safety of these workers during the construction 
of electric power transmission and distribution lines is over 35 years 
old. OSHA has developed a revision of this standard that will prevent 
many of these fatalities, add flexibility to the standard, and update 
and streamline the standard. OSHA also intends to amend the 
corresponding standard for general industry so that requirements for 
work performed during the maintenance of electric power transmission 
and distribution installations are the same as those for similar work 
in construction. In addition, OSHA will be revising a few miscellaneous 
general industry requirements primarily affecting electric transmission 
and distribution work, including provisions on electrical protective 
equipment and foot protection. This rulemaking also addresses fall 
protection in aerial lifts for work on power generation, transmission, 
and distribution installations. OSHA published an NPRM on June 15, 
2005. A public hearing was held March 6 to 14, 2006. OSHA reopened the 
record to gather additional information on minimum approach distances.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

SBREFA Report                   06/30/03
NPRM                            06/15/05                    70 FR 34821
NPRM Comment Period End         10/13/05
Comment Period Extended to 01/
11/2006                         10/12/05                    70 FR 59290
Public Hearing To Be Held 03/06/
2006                            10/12/05                    70 FR 59290
Post-Hearing Comment Period End 07/14/06
Reopen Record                   10/22/08                    73 FR 62942
Comment Period End              11/21/08
Close Record                    11/21/08
Second Reopening Record         06/00/09
Comment Period End              09/00/09

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes

Agency Contact: Dorothy Dougherty, Director, Directorate of Standards 
and Guidance, Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health 
Administration, 200 Constitution Avenue NW., FP Building, Room N-3718, 
Washington, DC 20210
Phone: 202 693-1950
Fax: 202 693-1678
Email: [email protected]

RIN: 1218-AB67
_______________________________________________________________________



242. CRANES AND DERRICKS IN CONSTRUCTION

Legal Authority: 29 USC 651(b); 29 USC 655(b); 40 USC 333

Abstract: A number of industry stakeholders asked OSHA to update the 
cranes and derricks portion of subpart N (29 CFR 1926.550), 
specifically requesting that negotiated rulemaking be used.
In 2002, OSHA published a notice of intent to establish a negotiated 
rulemaking committee. A year later, in 2003, committee members were 
announced and the Cranes and Derricks Negotiated Rulemaking Committee 
was established and held its first meeting. In July 2004, the committee 
reached consensus on all issues resulting in a final consensus 
document.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Notice of Intent To Establish 
Negotiated Rulemaking           07/16/02                    67 FR 46612
Comment Period End              09/16/02
Request for Comments on Proposed 
Committee Members               02/27/03                     68 FR 9036
Request for Comments Period End 03/31/03                     68 FR 9036
Established Negotiated 
Rulemaking Committee            06/12/03                    68 FR 35172

[[Page 21968]]

Rulemaking Negotiations 
Completed                       07/30/04
SBREFA Report                   10/17/06
NPRM                            10/09/08                    73 FR 59714
NPRM Comment Period Extended    12/02/08                    73 FR 73197
NPRM Comment Period End         01/22/09
Public Hearing                  03/20/09
Close Record                    06/00/09

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes

Agency Contact: Noah Connell, Deputy Director, Directorate of 
Construction, Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health 
Administration, 200 Constitution Avenue NW., FP Building, Room N-3468, 
Washington, DC 20210
Phone: 202 693-2020
Fax: 202 693-1689

RIN: 1218-AC01
_______________________________________________________________________


Department of Labor (DOL)                             Long-Term Actions


Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)



_______________________________________________________________________



243. BLOODBORNE PATHOGENS (610 REVIEW) (SECTION 610 REVIEW)

Legal Authority: 29 USC 655(b); 5 USC 533; 5 USC 610

Abstract: OSHA will undertake a review of the Bloodborne Pathogen 
Standard (29 CFR 1910.1030) in accordance with the requirements of the 
Regulatory Flexibility Act and section 5 of Executive Order 12866. The 
review will consider the continued need for rule, whether the rule 
overlaps, duplicates or conflicts with other Federal, State or local 
regulations, and the degree to which technology, economic conditions or 
other factors may have changed since the rule was evaluated.

Timetable: Next Action Undetermined

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Agency Contact: John Smith, Directorate of Evaluation and Analysis, 
Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, 200 
Constitution Avenue NW., FP Building, Room N-3641, Washington, DC 20210
Phone: 202 693-2400
Fax: 202 693-1641
Email: [email protected]

RIN: 1218-AC34
[FR Doc. E9-10272 Filed 05-08-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-23-S