[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 144 (Friday, July 30, 2021)]
[Unknown Section]
[Pages 41242-41246]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-14873]
[[Page 41241]]
Vol. 86
Friday,
No. 144
July 30, 2021
Part XI
Department of Labor
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Semiannual Regulatory Agenda
Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 144 / Friday, July 30, 2021 / UA: Reg
Flex Agenda
[[Page 41242]]
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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.
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SUMMARY: The internet has become the means for disseminating the
entirety of the Department of Labor's semiannual regulatory agenda.
However, the Regulatory Flexibility Act requires publication of a
regulatory flexibility agenda in the Federal Register. This Federal
Register Notice contains the regulatory flexibility agenda.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Laura M. Dawkins, Director, Office of
Regulatory and Programmatic 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 requires the
semiannual publication of an agenda of regulations that contains a
listing of all the regulations the Department of Labor expects to have
under active consideration for promulgation, proposal, or review during
the coming one-year period. The entirety of the Department's semiannual
agenda is available online at www.reginfo.gov.
The Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 602) requires DOL to
publish in the Federal Register a regulatory flexibility agenda. The
Department's Regulatory Flexibility Agenda, published with this notice,
includes only those rules on its semiannual agenda that are likely to
have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small
entities; and those rules identified for periodic review in keeping
with the requirements of section 610 of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
Thus, the regulatory flexibility agenda is a subset of the Department's
semiannual regulatory agenda. The Department's Regulatory Flexibility
Agenda does not include section 610 items at this time.
All interested members of the public are invited and encouraged to
let departmental officials know how our regulatory efforts can be
improved and are invited to participate in and comment on the review or
development of the regulations listed on the Department's agenda.
Martin J. Walsh,
Secretary of Labor.
Wage and Hour Division--Long-Term Actions
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Regulation
Sequence No. Title Identifier No.
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151....................... Defining and Delimiting 1235-AA39
the Exemptions for
Executive,
Administrative,
Professional, Outside
Sales and Computer
Employees.
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Wage and Hour Division--Completed Actions
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Regulation
Sequence No. Title Identifier No.
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152....................... Independent Contractor 1235-AA34
Status Under the Fair
Labor Standards Act.
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Employment and Training Administration--Proposed Rule Stage
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Regulation
Sequence No. Title Identifier No.
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153....................... Temporary Employment of H- 1205-AB93
2B Foreign Workers in
Certain Itinerant
Occupations in the United
States.
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Employee Benefits Security Administration--Final Rule Stage
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Regulation
Sequence No. Title Identifier No.
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154....................... Requirements Related to 1210-AB99
Surprise Billing, Part 1.
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Employee Benefits Security Administration--Completed Actions
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Regulation
Sequence No. Title Identifier No.
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155....................... Fiduciary Duties Regarding 1210-AB91
Proxy Voting and
Shareholder Rights.
156....................... Financial Factors in 1210-AB95
Selecting Plan
Investments.
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Occupational Safety and Health Administration--Prerule Stage
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Regulation
Sequence No. Title Identifier No.
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157....................... Process Safety Management 1218-AC82
and Prevention of Major
Chemical Accidents.
158....................... Emergency Response........ 1218-AC91
159....................... Prevention of Workplace 1218-AD08
Violence in Health Care
and Social Assistance.
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Occupational Safety and Health Administration--Proposed Rule Stage
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Regulation
Sequence No. Title Identifier No.
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160....................... Infectious Diseases....... 1218-AC46
161....................... Communication Tower Safety 1218-AC90
162....................... Tree Care Standard........ 1218-AD04
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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR (DOL)
Wage and Hour Division (WHD)
Long-Term Actions
151. Defining and Delimiting the Exemptions for Executive,
Administrative, Professional, Outside Sales and Computer Employees
Legal Authority: 29 U.S.C. 201 et seq.; 29 U.S.C. 213
Abstract: WHD is reviewing the regulations at 29 CFR 541, which
implement the exemption of bona fide executive, administrative, and
professional employees from the Fair Labor Standards Act's minimum wage
and overtime requirements.
Timetable:
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Action Date FR Cite
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Next Action Undetermined............ To Be Determined
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Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
Agency Contact: Amy DeBisschop, Director of the Division of
Regulations, Legislation and Interpretation, Department of Labor, Wage
and Hour Division, 200 Constitution Avenue NW, FP Building, Room S-
3502, Washington, DC 20210, Phone: 202 693-0406.
RIN: 1235-AA39
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR (DOL)
Wage and Hour Division (WHD)
Completed Actions
152. Independent Contractor Status Under the Fair Labor Standards Act
Legal Authority: Fair Labor Standards Act, 29 U.S.C. 201 et seq.
Abstract: The Department of Labor issued a final rule, with an
effective date of March 8, 2021, revising its interpretation of is
proposing a regulation for determining independent contractor status
under the Fair Labor Standards Act. In accordance with the Presidential
directive as expressed in the memorandum of January 20, 2021, from the
Assistant to the President and Chief of Staff, entitled ``Regulatory
Freeze Pending Review,'' the Department issued a Notice of Proposed
Rulemaking to delay the effective date of the rule until May 7, 2021,
to review and consider the questions of law, policy, and fact raised by
the rule.
Timetable:
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Action Date FR Cite
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NPRM................................ 09/25/20 85 FR 60600
NPRM Comment Period End............. 10/26/20
Final Rule.......................... 01/07/21 86 FR 1168
Proposed Delay of Final Rule 02/05/21 86 FR 8326
Effective Date.
Proposed Delay of Final Rule 02/24/21
Effective Date Comment Period End.
Final Rule Delay of Effective Date.. 03/04/21 86 FR 12535
Final Rule Delay of Effective Date 05/07/21
Effective.
NPRM; Proposal to Withdraw.......... 03/12/21 86 FR 14027
NPRM; Proposal to Withdraw Comment 04/12/21
Period End.
Final Rule; Withdrawal.............. 05/06/21 86 FR 24303
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Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
Agency Contact: Amy DeBisschop, Director of the Division of
Regulations, Legislation and Interpretation, Department of Labor, Wage
and Hour Division, 200 Constitution Avenue NW, FP Building, Room S-
3502, Washington, DC 20210, Phone: 202 693-0406.
RIN: 1235-AA34
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR (DOL)
Employment and Training Administration (ETA)
Proposed Rule Stage
153. Temporary Employment of H-2B Foreign Workers in Certain Itinerant
Occupations in the United States
Legal Authority: 8 U.S.C. 1184; 8 U.S.C. 1103
Abstract: The United States Department of Labor's (DOL) Employment
and Training Administration and Wage and Hour Division, and the United
States Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Citizenship and
Immigration Services, are jointly proposing to amend H-2B non-immigrant
visa program regulations at 20 CFR part 655, subpart A, and 8 CFR 214.
The Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) would establish standards and
procedures for employers seeking to hire foreign temporary
nonagricultural workers for certain itinerant job opportunities,
including entertainers and carnivals and utility vegetation management.
Timetable:
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Action Date FR Cite
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NPRM................................ 12/00/21
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Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
Agency Contact: Brian Pasternak, Administrator, Department of
Labor, Employment and Training Administration, 200 Constitution Avenue
NW, Office of Foreign Labor Certification; Room N-5311, FP Building,
Washington, DC 20210,
[[Page 41244]]
Phone: 202 693-8200, Email: [email protected].
RIN: 1205-AB93
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR (DOL)
Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA)
Final Rule Stage
154. Requirements Related to Surprise Billing, Part 1
Legal Authority: Pub. L. 116-260, Division BB, Title I and Title II
Abstract: This interim final rule with comment would implement
certain protections against surprise medical bills under the No
Surprises Act, including requirements on group health plans, issuers
offering group or individual health insurance coverage, providers,
facilities, and providers of air ambulance services.
Timetable:
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Action Date FR Cite
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Interim Final Rule.................. 07/00/21
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Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
Agency Contact: Amber Rivers, Director, Office of Health Plan
Standards and Compliance Assistance, Department of Labor, Employee
Benefits Security Administration, 200 Constitution Avenue NW,
Washington, DC 20210, Phone: 202 693-8335.
RIN: 1210-AB99
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR (DOL)
Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA)
Completed Actions
155. Fiduciary Duties Regarding Proxy Voting and Shareholder
Rights
Legal Authority: 29 U.S.C. 1102 to 1104; 29 U.S.C. 1135
Abstract: This regulatory action would address the application of
the prudence and exclusive purpose duties under the Employee Retirement
Income Security Act of 1974 to the exercise of shareholder rights,
including proxy voting, the use of written proxy voting policies and
guidelines, and the selection and monitoring of proxy advisory firms.
Timetable:
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Action Date FR Cite
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NPRM................................ 09/04/20 85 FR 55219
NPRM Comment Period End............. 10/05/20
Final Rule.......................... 12/16/20 85 FR 81658
Final Rule Effective................ 01/15/21
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Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
Agency Contact: Jeffrey J. Turner, Deputy Director, Office of
Regulations and Interpretations, Department of Labor, Employee Benefits
Security Administration, 200 Constitution Avenue NW, FP Building, Room
N-5655, Washington, DC 20210, Phone: 202 693-8500.
RIN: 1210-AB91
156. Financial Factors in Selecting Plan Investments
Legal Authority: 29 U.S.C. 1102 to 1104; 29 U.S.C. 1135
Abstract: This regulatory action supersedes and replaces the
Department of Labor's prior Interpretive Bulletins on the application
of the fiduciary rules in the Employee Retirement Income Security Act
of 1974 (ERISA) to pension plan investments selected because they may
further collateral economic or social benefits in addition to their
investment returns. The rule protects participant and beneficiary
interests by requiring that plan fiduciaries select investments and
investment courses of action based solely on financial considerations
relevant to the risk-adjusted economic value of a particular investment
or investment course of action.
Timetable:
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Action Date FR Cite
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NPRM................................ 06/30/20 85 FR 39113
NPRM Comment Period End............. 07/30/20
Final Rule.......................... 11/13/20 85 FR 72846
Final Rule Effective................ 01/12/21
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Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
Agency Contact: Jeffrey J. Turner, Deputy Director, Office of
Regulations and Interpretations, Department of Labor, Employee Benefits
Security Administration, 200 Constitution Avenue NW, FP Building, Room
N-5655, Washington, DC 20210, Phone: 202 693-8500.
RIN: 1210-AB95
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR (DOL)
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
Prerule Stage
157. Process Safety Management and Prevention of Major Chemical
Accidents
Legal Authority: 29 U.S.C. 655; 29 U.S.C. 657
Abstract: The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
issued a Request for Information (RFI) on December 9, 2013 (78 FR
73756). The RFI identified issues related to modernization of the
Process Safety Management standard and related standards necessary to
meet the goal of preventing major chemical accidents.
Timetable:
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Action Date FR Cite
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Request for Information (RFI)....... 12/09/13 78 FR 73756
RFI Comment Period Extended......... 03/07/14 79 FR 13006
RFI Comment Period Extended End..... 03/31/14
Initiate SBREFA..................... 06/08/15
SBREFA Report Completed............. 08/01/16
Stakeholder Meeting................. 08/00/21
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Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
Agency Contact: Andrew Levinson, Deputy Director, Directorate of
Standards and Guidance, Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and
Health Administration, 200 Constitution Avenue NW, FP Building, Room N-
3718, Washington, DC 20210, Phone: 202 693-1950, Email:
[email protected].
RIN: 1218-AC82
158. Emergency Response
Legal Authority: 29 U.S.C. 655(b); 29 U.S.C. 657; 5 U.S.C. 609
Abstract: OSHA currently regulates aspects of emergency response
and preparedness; some of these standards were promulgated decades ago,
and none were designed as comprehensive emergency response standards.
Consequently, they do not address the full range of hazards or concerns
currently facing emergency responders, and other workers providing
skilled support, nor do they reflect major changes in performance
specifications for protective clothing and equipment. The agency
acknowledged that current OSHA standards also do not reflect all the
major developments in safety and health practices that have already
been
[[Page 41245]]
accepted by the emergency response community and incorporated into
industry consensus standards. OSHA is considering updating these
standards with information gathered through an RFI and public meetings.
Timetable:
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Action Date FR Cite
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Stakeholder Meetings................ 07/30/14
Convene NACOSH Workgroup............ 09/09/15
NACOSH Review of Workgroup Report... 12/14/16
Initiate SBREFA..................... 05/00/21
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Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
Agency Contact: Andrew Levinson, Deputy Director, Directorate of
Standards and Guidance, Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and
Health Administration, 200 Constitution Avenue NW, FP Building, Room N-
3718, Washington, DC 20210, Phone: 202 693-1950, Email:
[email protected].
RIN: 1218-AC91
159. Prevention of Workplace Violence in Health Care and Social
Assistance
Legal Authority: 29 U.S.C. 655(b); 5 U.S.C. 609
Abstract: The Request for Information (RFI) (published on December
7, 2016 81 FR 88147)) provides OSHA's history with the issue of
workplace violence in health care and social assistance, including a
discussion of the Guidelines that were initially published in 1996, a
2014 update to the Guidelines, the agency's use of 5(a)(1) in
enforcement cases in health care. The RFI solicited information
primarily from health care employers, workers and other subject matter
experts on impacts of violence, prevention strategies, and other
information that will be useful to the agency. OSHA was petitioned for
a standard preventing workplace violence in health care by a broad
coalition of labor unions, and in a separate petition by the National
Nurses United. On January 10, 2017, OSHA granted the petitions.
Timetable:
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Action Date FR Cite
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Request for Information (RFI)....... 12/07/16 81 FR 88147
RFI Comment Period End.............. 04/06/17
Initiate SBREFA..................... 12/00/21
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Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
Agency Contact: Andrew Levinson, Deputy Director, Directorate of
Standards and Guidance, Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and
Health Administration, 200 Constitution Avenue NW, FP Building, Room N-
3718, Washington, DC 20210, Phone: 202 693-1950, Email:
[email protected].
RIN: 1218-AD08
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR (DOL)
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
Proposed Rule Stage
160. Infectious Diseases
Legal Authority: 5 U.S.C. 533; 29 U.S.C. 657 and 658; 29 U.S.C.
660; 29 U.S.C. 666; 29 U.S.C. 669; 29 U.S.C. 673
Abstract: Employees in health care and other high-risk environments
face long-standing infectious disease hazards such as tuberculosis
(TB), varicella disease (chickenpox, shingles), and measles, as well as
new and emerging infectious disease threats, such as Severe Acute
Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), and
pandemic influenza. Health care workers and workers in related
occupations, or who are exposed in other high-risk environments, are at
increased risk of contracting TB, SARS, Methicillin-Resistant
Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA), COVID-19, and other infectious diseases
that can be transmitted through a variety of exposure routes. OSHA is
examining regulatory alternatives for control measures to protect
employees from infectious disease exposures to pathogens that can cause
significant disease. Workplaces where such control measures might be
necessary include: health care, emergency response, correctional
facilities, homeless shelters, drug treatment programs, and other
occupational settings where employees can be at increased risk of
exposure to potentially infectious people. A standard could also apply
to laboratories, which handle materials that may be a source of
pathogens, and to pathologists, coroners' offices, medical examiners,
and mortuaries.
Timetable:
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Action Date FR Cite
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Request for Information (RFI)....... 05/06/10 75 FR 24835
RFI Comment Period End.............. 08/04/10
Analyze Comments.................... 12/30/10 .......................
Stakeholder Meetings................ 07/05/11 76 FR 39041
Initiate SBREFA..................... 06/04/14
Complete SBREFA..................... 12/22/14
NPRM................................ 12/00/21
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Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
Agency Contact: Andrew Levinson, Deputy Director, Directorate of
Standards and Guidance, Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and
Health Administration, 200 Constitution Avenue NW, FP Building, Room N-
3718, Washington, DC 20210, Phone: 202 693-1950, Email:
[email protected].
RIN: 1218-AC46
161. Communication Tower Safety
Legal Authority: 29 U.S.C. 655(b); 5 U.S.C. 609
Abstract: While the number of employees engaged in the
communication tower industry remains small, the fatality rate is very
high. Over the past 20 years, this industry has experienced an average
fatality rate that greatly exceeds that of the construction industry.
Due to recent FCC spectrum auctions and innovations in cellular
technology, there will be a very high level of construction activity
taking place on communication towers over the next few years. A similar
increase in the number of construction projects needed to support
cellular phone coverage triggered a spike in fatality and injury rates
years ago. Based on information collected from an April 2016 Request
for Information (RFI), OSHA concluded that current OSHA requirements
such as those for fall protection and personnel hoisting, may not
adequately cover all hazards of communication tower construction and
maintenance activities. OSHA will use information collected from a
Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act (SBREFA) panel to
identify effective work practices and advances in engineering
technology that would best address industry safety and health concerns.
The Panel carefully considered the issue of the expansion of the rule
beyond just communication towers. OSHA will continue to consider also
covering structures that have telecommunications equipment on or
attached to them (e.g., buildings, rooftops, water towers, billboards).
Timetable:
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Action Date FR Cite
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Request for Information (RFI)....... 04/15/15 80 FR 20185
[[Page 41246]]
RFI Comment Period End.............. 06/15/15
Initiate SBREFA..................... 01/04/17
Initiate SBREFA..................... 05/31/18
Complete SBREFA..................... 10/11/18
NPRM................................ 03/00/22
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Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
Agency Contact: Scott Ketcham, Director, Directorate of
Construction, Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health
Administration, 200 Constitution Avenue NW, Room N-3468, FP Building,
Washington, DC 20210, Phone: 202 693-2020, Fax: 202 693-1689, Email:
[email protected].
RIN: 1218-AC90
162. Tree Care Standard
Legal Authority: Not Yet Determined
Abstract: There is no OSHA standard for tree care operations; the
agency currently applies a patchwork of standards to address the
serious hazards in this industry. The tree care industry previously
petitioned the agency for rulemaking and OSHA issued an ANPRM
(September 2008). OSHA completed a Small Business Regulatory
Enforcement Fairness Act (SBREFA) panel in May 2020, collecting
information from affected small entities on a potential standard,
including the scope of the standard, effective work practices, and
arboricultural specific uses of equipment to guide OSHA in developing a
rule that would best address industry safety and health concerns. Tree
care continues to be a high-hazard industry.
Timetable:
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Action Date FR Cite
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Stakeholder Meeting................. 07/13/16
Initiate SBREFA..................... 01/10/20
Complete SBREFA..................... 05/22/20
NPRM................................ 04/00/22
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Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
Agency Contact: Andrew Levinson, Deputy Director, Directorate of
Standards and Guidance, Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and
Health Administration, 200 Constitution Avenue NW, FP Building, Room N-
3718, Washington, DC 20210, Phone: 202 693-1950, Email:
[email protected].
RIN: 1218-AD04
[FR Doc. 2021-14873 Filed 7-29-21; 8:45 am]
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