FR 2025-03779

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has released a notice seeking public comments on its proposal to extend the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) approval of information collection requirements under the 1,2-Dibromo-3-Chloropane (DBCP) Standard. This standard is essential for protecting workers from potential health hazards associated with exposure to DBCP, a chemical used in various industrial applications. Employers are required to monitor and report exposure levels to ensure a safe working environment. The approach taken in this notice highlights OSHA’s ongoing commitment to reducing health risks at workplaces.

Summary and Purpose

The primary goal of the notice is to obtain public feedback on whether the information collection requirements are necessary and how they can be improved. This engagement is part of a broader effort to refine data collection practices, thereby ensuring accuracy without imposing unnecessary burdens on employers. Key areas of interest for OSHA include the utility of the information collected, the accuracy of burden estimates, and potential ways to reduce the compliance burden through technological advancements.

Significant Issues and Concerns

The document presents some areas that raise concerns or require further clarification. First, OSHA estimates the total burden hours for this requirement to be just one hour, with no associated costs. This minimal estimate prompts questions about the scope and depth of the data collection required, and whether it fully captures the complexities involved in monitoring DBCP exposures on a practical level.

Additionally, the notice specifies that the requirement applies to a single respondent, potentially suggesting a limited impact or scope. The rationale behind this narrow focus is not detailed, leaving stakeholders questioning how such limited feedback might influence comprehensive regulatory actions.

There is also a mention of privacy concerns as the document states that all comments will be posted online without changes, which raises the risk of inadvertently exposing personal or sensitive information. The notice advises against submitting private details such as social security numbers but does not clearly outline how OSHA will safeguard the submitted information.

Impacts on the Public and Stakeholders

Broadly speaking, this regulation is intended to benefit the public by ensuring safer work environments, thereby reducing health risks associated with chemical exposure. Workers, especially those in industries that handle DBCP, stand to gain significantly from improved workplace safety measures. However, there could be administrative burdens on employers who may need to allocate additional resources or modify practices to comply with these requirements.

For employers, particularly small businesses, the notice may imply additional tasks related to the technological means proposed to streamline processes. While technological advancements can potentially reduce complexities, they might also require upfront investments or technical expertise that could strain resources.

In conclusion, while OSHA's initiative to solicit public commentary is commendable in promoting transparency and inclusivity, the concerns raised by stakeholders, particularly regarding scope, estimated burdens, and data privacy, need addressing to ensure efficient and effective implementation of the standard. As this process unfolds, those involved should anticipate a collaborative effort to refine these regulations to enhance workplace safety effectively while minimizing unnecessary burdens on employers.

The Federal Register document concerning the 1,2-Dibromo-3-Chloropane (DBCP) Standard includes specific financial references that warrant attention. These references primarily relate to the administrative and procedural aspects of managing information collection requirements under the standard set by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

Estimated Burden and Costs
The document specifies that the estimated total burden hours required for compliance with the DBCP Standard is 1 hour. Correspondingly, the estimated cost for operation and maintenance is $0. This indicates that OSHA anticipates minimal time and no direct financial expense for entities engaged in the information collection process related to this standard. However, such a modest estimate, particularly the zero-cost aspect, may raise questions about its basis. Stakeholders might inquire whether this truly captures all potential indirect costs, such as employee time or administrative tasks. This financial estimation could benefit from additional justification or context to assure stakeholders of its accuracy and comprehensiveness.

Limited Scope of Impact
Further, the document notes that there is only one respondent and one response required in this context. This highlights a very limited scope, potentially affecting only a single entity or a very narrowly defined group. Financially, this implies minimal financial impact but may also suggest that the data collected is only a small part of broader regulatory considerations. Such sparse engagement could benefit from further explanation to ensure transparency on why such a limited approach is adequate and how these data points inform larger regulatory actions or decisions.

Minimization of Burden
The notice also discusses strategies to minimize the burden on employers, including using automated or technological means for data handling. While the document mentions these strategies, it could be more explicit about what methods could be financially beneficial or cost-neutral, ensuring employers understand available tools that might prevent additional expenses in compliance efforts.

General Financial Oversight
Overall, the financial references in the document denote an effort to streamline the administrative burden at no apparent out-of-pocket cost to employers. However, stakeholders might seek assurances that such estimates and statements adequately reflect the real-world impact on businesses, especially for maintaining transparency and instilling confidence in OSHA's procedures. Concerns around costs, even when they seem negligible, are critical for maintaining trust and clarity in regulatory practices.