[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 169 (Friday, August 30, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 53645-53646]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-21029]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Office of Workers' Compensation Programs

20 CFR Parts 718 and 725

RIN 1240-AA07


Black Lung Benefits Act: Standards for Chest Radiographs

AGENCY: Office of Workers' Compensation Programs, Labor.

ACTION: Direct final rule; withdrawal.

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SUMMARY: The Office of Workers' Compensation Programs (OWCP) published 
a direct final rule in the Federal Register on June 13, 2013, updating 
existing film-radiograph standards and providing parallel standards for 
submission of digital radiographs in connection with claims filed under 
the Black Lung Benefits Act. The comment period closed on August 12, 
2013. OWCP is withdrawing the direct final rule because the agency 
received significant adverse comment.

DATES: Effective August 30, 2013, the direct final rule published on 
June 13, 2013, (78 FR 35549) is withdrawn.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steven Breeskin, Director, Division of 
Coal Mine Workers' Compensation, Office of Workers' Compensation 
Programs, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Avenue NW., Suite 
N-3464, Washington, DC 20210. Telephone: (202) 693-0824 (this is not a 
toll-free number). TTY/TDD callers may dial toll-free 1-800-877-8339 
for further information.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On June 13, 2013, OWCP published the direct 
final rule, Black Lung Benefits Act: Standards for Chest Radiographs 
(78 FR 35549), to update existing film-radiograph standards and provide 
parallel standards for digital radiographs submitted in Black Lung 
Benefits Act claims. OWCP stated that the rule would go into effect 
unless the agency received significant adverse comment; in that event, 
OWCP stated that it would withdraw the direct final rule and proceed on 
the companion proposed rule also published in the Federal Register on 
June 13, 2013 (78 FR 35575). Because OWCP has received

[[Page 53646]]

significant adverse comment, it is withdrawing the direct final rule 
with this notice. OWCP will address all comments in its final action on 
the proposed rule. As stated in both the direct final rule and 
companion proposed rule, OWCP will not institute a second comment 
period.

    Dated: August 20, 2013.
Gary A. Steinberg,
Acting Director, Office of Workers' Compensation Programs.
[FR Doc. 2013-21029 Filed 8-29-13; 8:45 am]
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