Search Results for agency_names:"Labor Department"

The Department of Labor (DOL) is requesting public comments on a proposed information collection, sponsored by the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), related to the National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction. This collection aims to raise awareness about fall hazards and prevent workplace fatalities and injuries. Comments should be submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) by May 19, 2025. The proposed survey will help verify participation in the Stand-Down, and DOL-OSHA seeks authorization for this information collection for three years.

Signal Peak Energy, LLC submitted a petition to the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) requesting a change in the safety standards for their Bull Mountains Mine No. 1. The company wants to use a different brand of respirators, the Dräger X-plore 8700 Powered Air Purifying Respirators, to protect miners from dust because they offer better performance than their current equipment. Although the new respirators don't have MSHA approval, they are certified as safe for use in hazardous environments. The proposal outlines detailed conditions for using these respirators, such as battery charging procedures and safety checks, to ensure they provide the same level of protection as the current standards.

OSHA has announced the expansion of recognition for TUV Rheinland of North America, Inc. (TUVRNA), allowing them to add a new testing site in Taiwan as part of their Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL) scope. This expansion, which takes effect on January 23, 2025, enables TUVRNA to conduct product testing and certification at the new location, provided they comply with specific standards and conditions set by OSHA. TUVRNA must notify OSHA of any significant changes in its operations or ownership and continue to adhere to all regulatory requirements.

The Employment and Training Administration of the Department of Labor has announced the final funding amounts for the National Farmworker Jobs Program (NFJP) Career Services and Training grants for Program Year 2024. This funding, totaling $90,134,000, is part of an ongoing effort outlined in previous Federal Register notices. The allotments are calculated using a method that adjusts based on the previous year's allocations and availability of funds. Some funds were redistributed to other states since not all states submitted competitive applications for the 2024 grants. Additionally, $6,591,000 is allocated for migrant and seasonal farmworker housing, promoting permanent housing development.

The Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration is asking for public comments on extending its authority to collect information for the "Workforce Flexibility (Workflex) Plan Submission and Reporting Requirements." The aim is to ease paperwork and reduce the burden on respondents as per the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. This initiative allows states to apply for waivers from certain requirements in the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, helping to improve performance outcomes. Comments are encouraged to focus on the necessity, accuracy, quality, and burden of the information collection, and are accepted until March 9, 2021.

The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) received a petition from Blue Diamond Coal Co. to modify existing safety standards that require the use of permissible electric equipment in coal mines. The company requested permission to use specific types of Powered Air Purifying Respirators (PAPRs), which are not MSHA-approved, as alternatives to currently used respirators. They argue these devices can offer air filtration and comfort, especially for miners with facial hair who might otherwise struggle with current equipment. The proposal includes specific guidelines and conditions to ensure the safety of miners when using these PAPRs underground.

OSHA is seeking public input on its proposal to extend the approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for information collection requirements outlined in the Benzene Standard. The goal of these requirements is to protect workers from harmful health effects due to exposure to benzene. OSHA welcomes comments on whether these requirements are necessary, their accuracy, and ways to reduce their burden on employers. The comment period is open until May 27, 2025, and comments can be submitted electronically or by fax.

The Department of Labor (DOL) is seeking approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for an information collection request related to the definition of "plan assets" involving participant contributions to employee benefit plans. This request is being managed by the Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) and is part of adhering to the Paperwork Reduction Act. The regulation details the timeframes within which contributions must become plan assets and outlines the requirements for employers who need an extension to meet these deadlines. The DOL invites public comments on various aspects of this information collection, including its necessity, utility, and potential burden on businesses.

On December 14, 2020, the Office of Workers' Compensation Programs (OWCP) proposed a rule in the Federal Register to revise rules around electronic filing and settlements and to make new procedures for penalties under the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act. However, after a new administration took office on January 20, 2021, a memo was issued to pause such regulations for review. Following this, OWCP decided to withdraw the proposed rule as of February 9, 2021, to allow time for the new administration to review and possibly revise it. Once this review is complete, a new proposed rule will be issued for public comment.

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.