Search Results for agency_names:"Labor Department"

The Department of Labor is submitting an information collection request about the Alien Claims Activity Report to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for approval. This report collects data on how states use the USCIS Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlement (SAVE) Program to manage unemployment insurance claims by non-citizens. The department invites public comments by February 14, 2025, regarding the necessity, accuracy, and efficiency of this information collection. The goal is to gather evidence on the program's usage and effectiveness to support continued authorization under the Paperwork Reduction Act for the next three years.

The Department of Labor is withdrawing a rule that would have made electronic filing and service mandatory for legal representatives involved with the Benefits Review Board unless a different filing method was justified. This decision came after receiving significant negative feedback during the comment period, indicating some concerns with the filing system. While the rule won't take effect, the department plans to extend the comment period and hold listening sessions to gather more user feedback. The rule withdrawal applies to changes that were to be introduced on January 11, 2021.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is requesting public comments on extending the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) approval for collecting information under the Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals in Laboratories standard. This extension aims to ensure that laboratories continue managing chemical hazards effectively to protect employees' health. OSHA seeks feedback on the necessity, accuracy, and efficiency of the information collected, as well as ways to minimize the burden on businesses. They propose reducing the estimated paperwork burden from 622,482 to 602,594 hours and reducing estimated costs significantly due to updated pricing methods for medical consultations and examinations. Comments must be submitted by April 15, 2025.

The Office of Workers' Compensation Programs (OWCP) has decided to withdraw a notice and request for comments about self-insurance under the Black Lung Benefits Act that was initially published on January 8, 2021. This decision is due to changes in the legal rules and guidance that initially justified the publication. Although the notice has been withdrawn, there's no change to existing laws or regulations. OWCP plans to review the self-insurance bulletin and will allow the public to comment on self-insurance procedures at a future date.

The Department of Labor has announced that its Performance Review Board (PRB) is currently inactive. Previously, the membership details were published in the Federal Register on October 16, 2023, but the board has since been dissolved in line with an Executive Memorandum aimed at restoring accountability for senior executives. There are no new appointments at this time, but the department will issue a new notice when the PRB is reestablished. For further information, the public can contact Tania Burkley at the U.S. Department of Labor.

The Department of Labor is seeking public comments on a proposed information collection regarding the safety and maintenance of diesel-powered equipment in underground coal mines. This request, submitted under the Paperwork Reduction Act, aims to ensure necessary safety measures are in place, such as maintenance records and exhaust emission tests, to protect miners from fire and health hazards associated with diesel equipment. The public can comment on the proposal until January 9, 2025, focusing on the necessity and implications of the data collection. The information collection's purpose is to enhance safety standards and reduce the risk associated with diesel machinery.

The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) received a petition from Rockwell Mining, LLC to modify safety regulations regarding equipment used at their Coal Branch No. 2 Mine in West Virginia. The company seeks permission to use two types of Powered Air Purifying Respirators (PAPRs), which are not MSHA-approved, because they believe these PAPRs offer better respiratory protection and comfort for miners, especially those with facial hair or who cannot wear tight-fitting respirators. The proposal outlines detailed training, inspection, and maintenance guidelines to ensure safety and compliance. Public comments on the petition are to be submitted by January 15, 2025.

The Department of Labor (DOL) is seeking public comments on an information collection request in connection with the Black Lung Benefits Act. This collection helps ensure that beneficiaries continue to meet eligibility requirements by updating details such as income and marital status. The collection process includes forms that now offer an electronic filing option. Comments can be submitted until March 15, 2021, as the proposal is under review by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) according to the Paperwork Reduction Act.

The Department of Labor is seeking approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for a proposed information collection under the Federal Employees' Compensation Act. Public comments on this collection, which involves medical and compensation claims for federal employees, are invited until March 19, 2021. The goal is to ensure the process is necessary, efficient, and minimizes the burden on respondents. The Department is looking for input on the utility, clarity, and cost-effectiveness of this information collection.

The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) has issued a notice regarding a petition for modification submitted by Harrison County Coal Resources, Inc. The company seeks to change the existing safety standards by increasing the allowed length of certain electrical cables used in the Harrison County Mine. They argue that their proposed alternative methods provide equal or greater safety measures as compared to current standards. If granted, this modification would apply to trailing cables providing power to mining equipment, ensuring safety through specific conditions and training requirements.