[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 IX





Department of Labor





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Semiannual Regulatory Agenda

[[Page 71396]]



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 2008 and October 2009, 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.

 Elaine L. Chao,

Secretary of Labor.

                              Employment Standards Administration--Final Rule Stage
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                                                                                                     Regulation
 Sequence                                           Title                                            Identifier
  Number                                                                                               Number
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370         Labor Organization Annual Financial Reports...........................................    1215-AB62
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[[Page 71397]]


                            Employee Benefits Security Administration--Prerule Stage
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                                                                                                     Regulation
 Sequence                                           Title                                            Identifier
  Number                                                                                               Number
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371         Plan Assets-Participant Contributions Regulation (Section 610 Review).................    1210-AB11
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                           Employee Benefits Security Administration--Final Rule Stage
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                                                                                                     Regulation
 Sequence                                           Title                                            Identifier
  Number                                                                                               Number
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372         Amendment of Regulation Relating to Definition of Plan Assets--Participant                1210-AB02
            Contributions.........................................................................
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                              Mine Safety and Health Administration--Prerule Stage
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                                                                                                     Regulation
 Sequence                                           Title                                            Identifier
  Number                                                                                               Number
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373         Explosives and Blasting (Section 610 Review)..........................................    1219-AB62
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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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374         Occupational Exposure to Crystalline Silica (Reg Plan Seq No. 87).....................    1218-AB70
375         Occupational Exposure to Beryllium....................................................    1218-AB76
376         Methylene Chloride (Section 610 Review)...............................................    1218-AC23
377         Occupational Exposure to Diacetyl and Food Flavorings Containing Diacetyl.............    1218-AC33
378         Bloodborne Pathogens (610 Review) (Section 610 Review)................................    1218-AC34
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Regulation
 Sequence                                           Title                                            Identifier
  Number                                                                                               Number
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379         Confined Spaces in Construction Preventing Suffocation/Explosions in Confined Spaces..    1218-AB47
380         Electric Power Transmission and Distribution; Electrical Protective Equipment.........    1218-AB67
381         Cranes and Derricks (Reg Plan Seq No. 88).............................................    1218-AC01
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
References in boldface appear in the Regulatory Plan in part II of this issue of the Federal Register.

_______________________________________________________________________


Department of Labor (DOL)                              Final Rule Stage


Employment Standards Administration (ESA)



_______________________________________________________________________




370. 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 report, Form LM-3, and instead require it 
to file the more detailed Form LM-2. 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                            05/12/08                    73 FR 27346
NPRM Comment Period End         06/26/08
NPRM Comment Period Extended    07/11/08                     73 FR 3491
Final Rule                      01/00/09

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes

[[Page 71398]]

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)



_______________________________________________________________________




371. 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                      12/00/08

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 N5655, 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)



_______________________________________________________________________




372. 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                    12/00/08

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., Room N5655, FP Building, 
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)



_______________________________________________________________________




373.  EXPLOSIVES AND BLASTING (SECTION 610 REVIEW)

Legal Authority: 30 USC 811

Abstract: MSHA will review the existing coal and metal 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                           05/00/09

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

[[Page 71399]]

_______________________________________________________________________


Department of Labor (DOL)                                 Prerule Stage


Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)



_______________________________________________________________________




374. OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE TO CRYSTALLINE SILICA

 Regulatory Plan: This entry is Seq. No. 87 in part II of this issue of 
the Federal Register.

RIN: 1218-AB70
_______________________________________________________________________




375. 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
SBREFA Report Completed         01/23/08
Complete Peer Review of Health 
Effects and Risk Assessment     03/00/09

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

RIN: 1218-AB76
_______________________________________________________________________




376. 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                      05/00/09

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
_______________________________________________________________________




377. 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.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Stakeholder Meeting             10/17/07                    72 FR 54619
ANPRM                           11/00/08
Complete SBREFA Report          02/00/09

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

RIN: 1218-AC33
_______________________________________________________________________




378.  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,

[[Page 71400]]

economic conditions or other factors may have changed since the rule 
was evaluated.

Timetable:
________________________________________________________________________

Action                            Date                      FR Cite

________________________________________________________________________

Begin Review                    12/00/08
Request For Comments            03/00/09

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-AC34
_______________________________________________________________________


Department of Labor (DOL)                           Proposed Rule Stage


Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)



_______________________________________________________________________




379. CONFINED SPACES IN CONSTRUCTION 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                            11/28/07                    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                    11/00/08

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes

Agency Contact: Noah Connell, Acting Director, Directorate of 
Construction, Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health 
Administration, 200 Constitution Avenue NW., FP Building, Room North 
3467, Washington, DC 20210
Phone: 202 693-2020
Fax: 202 693-1689

RIN: 1218-AB47
_______________________________________________________________________




380. 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. 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
Analyze Record                  02/00/09

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

RIN: 1218-AB67
_______________________________________________________________________




381. CRANES AND DERRICKS

 Regulatory Plan: This entry is Seq. No. 88 in part II of this issue of 
the Federal Register.

RIN: 1218-AC01
[FR Doc. E8-21258 Filed 11-21-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-23-S