[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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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
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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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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
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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