[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 218 (Monday, November 14, 1994)] [Unknown Section] [Page 0] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 94-28034] [[Page Unknown]] [Federal Register: November 14, 1994] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Coast Guard 46 CFR Part 197 [CGD 88-103] RIN 2115-AD16 Controlling the Hazard of Asbestos in the Industrial Maritime Environment AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT. ACTION: Notice of termination. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: This rulemaking was initiated to revise and incorporate into regulation the guidance the Coast Guard has issued on exposure to asbestos aboard certain vessels and at outer continental shelf (OCS) facilities and deepwater ports. The Coast Guard guidance was based on the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) general industry asbestos exposure guidelines published in 1986. Since the Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) was published for this Coast Guard rulemaking, OSHA has revised its asbestos exposure guidelines and issued industry-specific guidance for shipyard workers. This new OSHA shipyard regulation is a modified version of the 1986 OSHA standards and appears to be adaptable to shipboard application with minor modifications. This rulemaking project is terminated pending an investigation by the Coast Guard of the feasibility of applying the OSHA shipyard standards to shipboard use. DATES: This rulemaking is terminated on November 14, 1994. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lieutenant Commander Charles F. Barker, Project Manager, Office of Marine Safety, Security and Environmental Protection (G-MVI-2), (202) 267-1181. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On October 7, 1992, the Coast Guard published an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) (57 FR 46126) titled ``Controlling the Marine Asbestos Hazard,'' docket number (CGD 88-103), which solicited comments on a proposed asbestos control rulemaking. Nineteen comments were received. The comment were nearly unanimous in recommending that the Coast Guard adopt the OSHA asbestos exposure limits and concentrate on developing safe work practices and training to reduce shipboard asbestos exposure. The comments stated that the OSHA standards were based on exhaustive studies and took into account the limits of current measuring devices. They contended that the Coast Guard lacked justification for lowering exposure limits based on the potential for a mariner to be exposed to asbestos up to 24 hours per day. The comments also pointed out that the risk of asbestos exposure aboard vessels has been steadily decreasing over the years due to increased hazard awareness and the substitution of non-asbestos containing materials during vessel renovations conducted in shipyards. Comments from the OCS industry supported shoreside OSHA standards for offshore platforms. The Coast Guard has determined that the best course of action at this point is to terminate this rulemaking, issue policy guidance on the adaptation of the new OSHA shipyard standard to the marine industry, and reexamine the necessity of a rulemaking at some point in the future. Therefore, the Coast Guard is terminating further rulemaking under docket number 88-103. Dated: November 4, 1994. J.C. Card, Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Chief, Office of Marine Safety, Security and Environmental Protection. [FR Doc. 94-28034 Filed 11-10-94; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-14-M