[The Regulatory Plan and Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions]
[Department of Labor Semiannual Regulatory Agenda]
[From the U.S. Government Printing Office, www.gpo.gov]


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Part XII





Department of Labor





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Semiannual Regulatory Agenda

[[Page 70088]]



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 October 2007 and October 2008, 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.

     For this edition of the Department'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.

     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

     Lead in Construction (RIN 1218-AC18)

     Methylene Chloride (RIN 1218-AC23)

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.

 Elaine L. Chao,

Secretary of Labor.

                             Employment Standards Administration--Long-Term Actions
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                                                                                                     Regulation
 Sequence                                           Title                                            Identifier
  Number                                                                                               Number
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408         Labor Organization Annual Financial Reports...........................................    1215-AB62
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[[Page 70089]]


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


                           Employee Benefits Security Administration--Final Rule Stage
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                                                                                                     Regulation
 Sequence                                           Title                                            Identifier
  Number                                                                                               Number
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410         Proposed Revision of Annual Information Return/Reports................................    1210-AB14
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                          Occupational Safety and Health Administration--Prerule Stage
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                                                                                                     Regulation
 Sequence                                           Title                                            Identifier
  Number                                                                                               Number
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411         Occupational Exposure to Crystalline Silica (Reg Plan Seq No. 107)....................    1218-AB70
412         Occupational Exposure to Beryllium....................................................    1218-AB76
413         Methylene Chloride (Section 610 Review)...............................................    1218-AC23
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References in boldface appear in the Regulatory Plan in part II of this issue of the Federal Register.


                       Occupational Safety and Health Administration--Proposed Rule Stage
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                                                                                                     Regulation
 Sequence                                           Title                                            Identifier
  Number                                                                                               Number
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414         Confined Spaces in Construction (Part 1926): Preventing Suffocation/Explosions in         1218-AB47
            Confined Spaces.......................................................................
415         Cranes and Derricks (Reg Plan Seq No. 108)............................................    1218-AC01
416         Occupational Exposure to Diacetyl and Food Flavorings Containing Diacetyl.............    1218-AC33
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References in boldface appear in the Regulatory Plan in part II of this issue of the Federal Register.


                         Occupational Safety and Health Administration--Final Rule Stage
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                                                                                                     Regulation
 Sequence                                           Title                                            Identifier
  Number                                                                                               Number
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417         Electric Power Transmission and Distribution; Electrical Protective Equipment.........    1218-AB67
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                        Occupational Safety and Health Administration--Completed Actions
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                                                                                                     Regulation
 Sequence                                           Title                                            Identifier
  Number                                                                                               Number
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418         Lead in Construction (Completion of a Section 610 Review).............................    1218-AC18
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_______________________________________________________________________


Department of Labor (DOL)                             Long-Term Actions


Employment Standards Administration (ESA)



_______________________________________________________________________




408.  LABOR ORGANIZATION ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORTS

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

Abstract: The Department of Labor's Employment Standards Administration 
proposes to establish 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 privilege of a labor organization to file a simplified 
annual financial disclosure

[[Page 70090]]

report, Form LM-3, and instead require it to file the more detailed 
Form LM-2. The Department also proposes to establish reporting 
requirements and create a form to be used by labor organizations to 
file trust annual financial reports pursuant to section 208 of the 
LMRDA. The Department proposes to revise Form LM-2. The proposed 
revisions will improve financial disclosure and clarity within 
categories of receipts and disbursements.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                             To Be                       Determined

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes

Agency Contact: Kay H. Oshel, 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: 202 693-1233
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)



_______________________________________________________________________




409. 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.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Begin Review                    03/01/06
End Review                      07/00/08

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Undetermined

Agency Contact: Melissa R. Spurgeon, Pension Law Specialist, Department 
of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, 200 Constitution 
Avenue NW., FP Building, 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)



_______________________________________________________________________




410. PROPOSED REVISION OF ANNUAL INFORMATION RETURN/REPORTS

Legal Authority: 29 USC 1135; 29 USC 1021; 29 USC 1023; 29 USC 1024; PL 
109-208, sec 101 to 116, sec 201 to 221, sec 503, sec 1103 Pension 
Protection Act of 2006

Abstract: This proposal supplements previously published proposed 
revisions to the Form 5500 Annual Return/Report as required by the 
Pension Protection Act of 2006 (PPA). Specifically, this proposal 
includes separate Schedules B for single-employer plans and 
multiemployer plans reflecting PPA changes in funding and annual 
reporting requirements; new questions to the Schedule R and Schedule H 
designed to collect additional information regarding single and 
multiemployer pension defined benefit plans; and a proposal to have the 
Form 5500-SF Annual Return/Report be the simplified report required 
under the PPA for plans with fewer than 25 participants.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

NPRM                            12/11/06                    71 FR 71562
NPRM Comment Period End         01/10/07
Final Action                    11/00/07

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes

Agency Contact: Elizabeth A. Goodman, Senior Pension Law Specialist, 
Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, 200 
Constitution Avenue NW., FP Building Room N5669, Washington, DC 20210
Phone: 202 693-8523
Fax: 202 219-7291

RIN: 1210-AB14

[[Page 70091]]

_______________________________________________________________________


Department of Labor (DOL)                                 Prerule Stage


Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)



_______________________________________________________________________




411. OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE TO CRYSTALLINE SILICA

 Regulatory Plan: This entry is Seq. No. 107 in part II of this issue 
of the Federal Register.

RIN: 1218-AB70
_______________________________________________________________________




412. 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 is planning to use this information to develop a 
proposed rule addressing occupational exposure to beryllium.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Request for Information         11/26/02                    67 FR 70707
Complete SBREFA Report          01/00/08

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 N3718, 
Washington, DC 20210
Phone: 202 693-1950
Fax: 202 693-1678
Email: [email protected]

RIN: 1218-AB76
_______________________________________________________________________




413. 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
End Review                      06/00/08

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: 202 693-2225
Fax: 202 693-1641
Email: [email protected]

RIN: 1218-AC23
_______________________________________________________________________


Department of Labor (DOL)                           Proposed Rule Stage


Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)



_______________________________________________________________________




414. CONFINED SPACES IN CONSTRUCTION (PART 1926): PREVENTING 
SUFFOCATION/EXPLOSIONS IN CONFINED SPACES

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                            11/00/07

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes

Agency Contact: Steven F. Witt, Director, Directorate of Construction, 
Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, 200 
Constitution Avenue NW., Room N-3467, FP Building, Washington, DC 20210
Phone: 202 693-2020
Fax: 202 693-1678

RIN: 1218-AB47
_______________________________________________________________________




415. CRANES AND DERRICKS

 Regulatory Plan: This entry is Seq. No. 108 in part II of this issue 
of the Federal Register.

RIN: 1218-AC01
_______________________________________________________________________




416.  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

[[Page 70092]]

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.
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.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Stakeholder Meeting             10/17/07                    72 FR 54619
Initiate SBREFA                 01/00/08

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 N3718, 
Washington, DC 20210
Phone: 202 693-1950
Fax: 202 693-1678
Email: [email protected]

RIN: 1218-AC33
_______________________________________________________________________


Department of Labor (DOL)                              Final Rule Stage


Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)



_______________________________________________________________________




417. 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 30 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 power generation, transmission and 
distribution work. OSHA published an NPRM on June 15, 2005. A public 
hearing was held March 6 to 14, 2006.

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
Final Action                    04/00/08

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 N3718, 
Washington, DC 20210
Phone: 202 693-1950
Fax: 202 693-1678
Email: [email protected]

RIN: 1218-AB67
_______________________________________________________________________


Department of Labor (DOL)                             Completed Actions


Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)



_______________________________________________________________________




418. LEAD IN CONSTRUCTION (COMPLETION OF A SECTION 610 REVIEW)

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

Abstract: OSHA will undertake a review of the Lead in Construction 
Standard (29 CFR 1926.62) 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; impacts of the 
rule; comments on the rule received from the public; the complexity of 
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 last evaluated.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Begin Review                    06/06/05                    70 FR 32739
End Review Comment              09/06/05                    70 FR 32739
Comment Period Extended         08/29/05                    70 FR 50996
Extended Comment Period End     11/07/05                    70 FR 50996
Completed Review                09/27/07                    72 FR 54826

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

[[Page 70093]]

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: 202 693-2225
Fax: 202 693-1641
Email: [email protected]

RIN: 1218-AC18
[FR Doc. 07-04840 Filed 12-07-07; 8:45 am]
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