[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 187 (Thursday, September 28, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 45314-45316]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-20771]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Occupational Safety and Health Administration

[Docket No. OSHA-2011-0055]


Steel Erection; Extension of the Office of Management and 
Budget's (OMB) Approval of Information Collection (Paperwork) 
Requirements

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

ACTION: Request for public comments.

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SUMMARY: OSHA solicits public comments concerning its proposal to 
extend OMB approval of the information collection requirements 
specified in the Standard on Steel Erection.

DATES: Comments must be submitted (postmarked, sent, or received) by 
November 27, 2017.

ADDRESSES: 
    Electronically: You may submit comments and attachments 
electronically at http://www.regulations.gov, which is the Federal 
eRulemaking Portal. Follow the instructions online for submitting 
comments.
    Facsimile: If your comments, including attachments, are not longer 
than 10 pages, you may fax them to the OSHA Docket Office at (202) 693-
1648.
    Mail, hand delivery, express mail, messenger, or courier service: 
When using this method, you must submit three copies of your comments 
and attachments to the OSHA Docket Office, Docket No. OSHA-2011-0055, 
U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health 
Administration, Room N-3653, 200 Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, 
DC 20210. Deliveries (hand, express mail, messenger, and courier 
service) are accepted during the Docket Office's normal business hours, 
10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., ET.
    Instructions: All submissions must include the Agency name and OSHA 
docket number (OSHA-2011-0055) for the Information Collection Request 
(ICR). All comments, including any personal information you provide, 
are placed in the public docket without change, and may be made 
available online at http://www.regulations.gov. For further information 
on submitting comments, see the ``Public Participation'' heading in the 
section of this notice titled SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.
    Docket: To read or download comments or other materials in the 
docket, go to http://www.regulations.gov or the OSHA Docket Office at 
the address above. All documents in the docket (including this Federal 
Register notice) are listed in the http://www.regulations.gov index; 
however, some information (e.g., copyrighted material) is not publicly 
available to read or download through the Web site. All submissions, 
including copyrighted material, are available for inspection and 
copying at the OSHA Docket Office. You may also contact Theda Kenney at 
the address below to obtain a copy of the ICR.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Theda Kenney or Todd Owen, Directorate 
of Standards and Guidance, OSHA, U.S. Department of Labor; telephone 
(202) 693-2222: [email protected] or [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Background

    The Department of Labor, as part of its continuing effort to reduce 
paperwork and respondent (i.e., employer) burden, conducts a 
preclearance consultation program to provide the public with an 
opportunity to comment on proposed and continuing collection of 
information in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 
(PRA) (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)). This program ensures that information 
is in the desired format, reporting burden (time and costs) is minimal, 
collection instruments are clearly understood, and OSHA's estimate of 
the information collection burden is accurate. The Occupational Safety 
and Health Act of 1970 (the OSH Act) (29 U.S.C. 651 et seq.) authorizes 
information collection by employers as necessary or appropriate for 
enforcement of the OSH Act or for developing information regarding the 
causes and prevention of occupational injuries, illnesses, and 
accidents (29 U.S.C. 657). The OSH Act also requires OSHA to obtain 
such information with minimum burden upon employers, especially those 
operating small businesses, and to reduce to the maximum extent 
feasible unnecessary duplication of efforts in obtaining information 
(29 U.S.C. 657).
    Section 1926.752(a)(1). Description of the requirement. Based on 
the results of a specified method for testing field-cured samples, the 
controlling contractor must provide the steel erector with written 
notification that the concrete in the footings, piers, and walls, or 
the mortar in the masonry piers and walls, is at 75% of its minimum 
compressive-design strength or has sufficient strength to support loads 
imposed during steel erection. Note: This is not and will not be 
enforced for mortar in piers and walls until such time as OSHA is able 
to define an appropriate substitute or until an appropriate American 
Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) test method is developed.
    Sections 1926.752(a)(2) and 1926.755(b)(1). Description of the 
requirements. Under section 1926.752(a)(2), the controlling contractor, 
before it authorizes commencement of steel erection, must notify the 
steel erector in writing that any repairs, replacements, and 
modifications to anchor bolts (rods) have been made in accordance with 
section 1926.755(b)(1) which requires the controlling contractor to 
obtain approval from the project structural engineer of record for the 
repairs, replacements, and modifications.
    Section 1926.753(c)(5). Description of the requirement. Employers 
must not deactivate safety latches on hooks or make them inoperable 
except for the situation when: A qualified rigger determines that it is 
safer to hoist and place purlins and single joists by doing so; or 
except when equivalent protection is provided in the site-specific 
erection plan.
    Section 1926.753(e)(2). Description of the requirement. Employers 
must have the maximum capacity of the total multiple-lift rigging 
assembly, as well as each of its individual attachment points, 
certified by the manufacturer or a qualified rigger.
    Sections 1926.755(b)(1) and 1926.755(b)(2). Description of the 
requirements. Under section 1926.755(b)(2), throughout steel erection 
the controlling contractor must notify the steel erector in writing of 
additional repairs, replacements, and modifications of anchor bolts 
(rods); section 1926.755(b)(1) requires that these repairs, 
replacements, and modifications not be made without

[[Page 45315]]

approval from the project structural engineer of record.
    Section 1926.757(a)(4). Description of the requirement. If steel 
joists at or near columns span more than 60 feet, employers must set 
the joists in tandem with all bridging installed. However, the employer 
may use an alternative method of erection if a qualified person 
develops the alternative method, it provides equivalent stability, and 
the employer includes the method in the site-specific erection plan.
    Section 1926.757(a)(7). Description of the requirement. Employers 
must not modify steel joists or steel joist girders in a way that 
affects their strength without the approval of the project structural 
engineer of record.
    Sections 1926.757(a)(9) and 1926.758(g). Description of the 
requirements. An employer can use a steel joist, steel joist girder, 
purlin, or girt as an anchorage point for a fall-arrest system only 
with the written approval of a qualified person.
    Section 1926.757(e)(4)(i). Description of the requirement. An 
employer must install and anchor all bridging on joists and attach all 
joist bearing ends before placing a bundle of decking on the joists, 
unless: A qualified person determines that the structure or portion of 
the structure is capable of supporting the bundle, the employer 
documents this determination in the site-specific erection plan, and 
follows the additional requirements specified in section 
1926.757(e)(4)(ii)-(vi).
    Section 1926.760(e) and (e)(1). Description of the requirements. 
The steel erector can leave its fall protection at the jobsite after 
completion of the erection activity only if the controlling contractor 
or its authorized representative directs the steel erector to do so and 
inspects and accepts responsibility for the fall protection.
    1926.752(e) and Appendix A to Subpart R, ``Guidelines for 
Establishing the Components of a Site-Specific Erection Plan: Non-
mandatory Guidelines for Complying with 1926.752(e),'' paragraph (a). 
Description of the requirement. Site-specific erection plan. Where 
employers elect, due to conditions specific to the site, to develop 
alternate means and methods that provide employee protection in 
accordance with section 1926.753(c)(5), section 1926.757(a)(4) or 
section 1926.757(e)(4), a site-specific erection plan shall be 
developed by a qualified person and be available at the work site. 
Guidelines for establishing a site-specific erection plan are contained 
in Appendix A to this subpart.
    Appendix A to Subpart R, paragraph (b). Description of the 
requirement. Paragraph (b) of the Appendix provides for the development 
of a site-specific erection plan. Preconstruction conference(s) and 
site inspection(s) are held between the erector and the controlling 
contractor, and others such as the project engineer and fabricator 
before the start of steel erection. The purpose of such conference(s) 
is to develop and review the site-specific erection plan that will meet 
the requirements of this section.
    Appendix A to Subpart R, paragraphs (c), (c)(1)-(c)(9), (d), (d)(1) 
and (d)(2). Description of the requirement. These paragraphs of 
Appendix A describe the components of a site-specific erection plan, 
including: The sequence of erection activity developed in coordination 
with the controlling contractor; a description of the crane and derrick 
selection and placement procedures; a description of the fall 
protection procedures that will be used to comply with section 
1926.760; a description of the procedures that will be used to comply 
with section 1926.759; a description of the special procedures required 
for hazardous non-routine tasks; a certification for each employee who 
has received training for performing steel erection operations as 
required by section 1926.761; a list of the qualified and competent 
persons; a description of the procedures that will be utilized in the 
event of rescue or emergency response; the identification of the site 
and project; and signed and dated by the qualified person(s) 
responsible for its preparation and modification.
    Paragraph (c)(4)(ii) of Appendix G to Subpart R. Description of the 
requirement. This mandatory appendix duplicates the regulatory 
requirements of section 1926.502 (``Fall protection systems criteria 
and practices''), notably the requirements specified in paragraph 
(c)(4)(ii). This paragraph addresses the certification of safety nets 
as an option available to employers who can demonstrate that performing 
a drop test on safety nets is unreasonable. This provision allows such 
employers to certify that their safety nets, including the installation 
of the nets, protect workers at least as well as safety nets that meet 
the drop-test criteria. The employer must complete the certification 
process prior to using the net for fall protection, and the certificate 
must include the following information: Identification of the net and 
the type of installation used for the net; the date the certifying 
party determined that the net and its installation would meet the drop-
test criteria; and the signature of the party making this 
determination. The most recent certificate must be available at the 
jobsite for inspection.

II. Special Issues for Comment

    OSHA has a particular interest in comments on the following issues:
     Whether the proposed collection of information is 
necessary for the proper performance of the Agency's functions, 
including whether the information is useful;
     The accuracy of OSHA's estimate of the burden (time and 
costs) of the information collection requirements, including the 
validity of the methodology and assumptions used;
     The quality, utility, and clarity of the information 
collected; and
     Ways to minimize the burden on employers who must comply. 
For example, by using automated, or other technological information 
collection, and transmission techniques.

III. Proposed Actions

    OSHA is requesting an adjustment increase of 9,426 burden hours, 
from 21,393 to 30,819 burden hours. This increase is due in part to an 
increase in estimated worksites associated with this subpart, from 
13,864 to 16,748. The increase also results from the Agency's 
determination that information collection requirements identified in 
Subpart R[mdash x ]Steel Erection's non-mandatory Appendix 
A are covered by the PRA.
    Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Title: Steel Erection (29 CFR part 1926, subpart R).
    OMB Control Number: 1218-0241.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profits.
    Number of Respondents: 70,329.
    Frequency: On occasion, annually; triennially.
    Average Time per Response: Various.
    Estimated Number of Responses: 92,160.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 30,819.
    Estimated Cost (Operation and Maintenance): $0.

IV. Public Participation--Submission of Comments on This Notice and 
Internet Access to Comments and Submissions

    You may submit comments in response to this document as follows: 
(1) Electronically at http://www.regulations.gov, which is the Federal 
eRulemaking Portal; (2) by facsimile (fax); or (3) by hard copy. All 
comments, attachments, and other material must identify the Agency name 
and the OSHA docket number for the ICR (Docket No. OSHA-2011-0055). You 
may supplement electronic

[[Page 45316]]

submissions by uploading document files electronically. If you wish to 
mail additional materials in reference to an electronic or facsimile 
submission, you must submit them to the OSHA Docket Office (see the 
section of this notice titled ADDRESSES). The additional materials must 
clearly identify your electronic comments by your name, date, and the 
docket number so the Agency can attach them to your comments.
    Because of security procedures, the use of regular mail may cause a 
significant delay in the receipt of comments. For information about 
security procedures concerning the delivery of materials by hand, 
express delivery, messenger, or courier service, please contact the 
OSHA Docket Office at (202) 693-2350, (TTY (877) 889-5627).
    Comments and submissions are posted without change at http://www.regulations.gov. Therefore, OSHA cautions commenters about 
submitting personal information such as social security numbers and 
date of birth. Although all submissions are listed in the http://www.regulations.gov index, some information (e.g., copyrighted 
material) is not publicly available to read or download through this 
Web site. All submissions, including copyrighted material, are 
available for inspection and copying at the OSHA Docket Office. 
Information on using the http://www.regulations.gov Web site to submit 
comments and access the docket is available at the Web site's ``User 
Tips'' link. Contact the OSHA Docket Office for information about 
materials not available through the Web site, and for assistance in 
using the Internet to locate docket submissions.

V. Authority and Signature

    Loren Sweatt, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational 
Safety and Health, directed the preparation of this notice. The 
authority for this notice is the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 
U.S.C. 3506 et seq.) and Secretary of Labor's Order No. 1-2012 (77 FR 
3912).

    Signed at Washington, DC, on September 19, 2017.
Loren Sweatt,
Deputy Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health.
[FR Doc. 2017-20771 Filed 9-27-17; 8:45 am]
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