[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 187 (Thursday, September 28, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 45314-45316]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-20771]
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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
[Docket No. OSHA-2011-0055]
Steel Erection; Extension of the Office of Management and
Budget's (OMB) Approval of Information Collection (Paperwork)
Requirements
AGENCY: Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Labor.
ACTION: Request for public comments.
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SUMMARY: OSHA solicits public comments concerning its proposal to
extend OMB approval of the information collection requirements
specified in the Standard on Steel Erection.
DATES: Comments must be submitted (postmarked, sent, or received) by
November 27, 2017.
ADDRESSES:
Electronically: You may submit comments and attachments
electronically at http://www.regulations.gov, which is the Federal
eRulemaking Portal. Follow the instructions online for submitting
comments.
Facsimile: If your comments, including attachments, are not longer
than 10 pages, you may fax them to the OSHA Docket Office at (202) 693-
1648.
Mail, hand delivery, express mail, messenger, or courier service:
When using this method, you must submit three copies of your comments
and attachments to the OSHA Docket Office, Docket No. OSHA-2011-0055,
U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health
Administration, Room N-3653, 200 Constitution Avenue NW., Washington,
DC 20210. Deliveries (hand, express mail, messenger, and courier
service) are accepted during the Docket Office's normal business hours,
10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., ET.
Instructions: All submissions must include the Agency name and OSHA
docket number (OSHA-2011-0055) for the Information Collection Request
(ICR). All comments, including any personal information you provide,
are placed in the public docket without change, and may be made
available online at http://www.regulations.gov. For further information
on submitting comments, see the ``Public Participation'' heading in the
section of this notice titled SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.
Docket: To read or download comments or other materials in the
docket, go to http://www.regulations.gov or the OSHA Docket Office at
the address above. All documents in the docket (including this Federal
Register notice) are listed in the http://www.regulations.gov index;
however, some information (e.g., copyrighted material) is not publicly
available to read or download through the Web site. All submissions,
including copyrighted material, are available for inspection and
copying at the OSHA Docket Office. You may also contact Theda Kenney at
the address below to obtain a copy of the ICR.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Theda Kenney or Todd Owen, Directorate
of Standards and Guidance, OSHA, U.S. Department of Labor; telephone
(202) 693-2222: Kenney.Theda@dol.gov or Owen.Todd@dol.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
The Department of Labor, as part of its continuing effort to reduce
paperwork and respondent (i.e., employer) burden, conducts a
preclearance consultation program to provide the public with an
opportunity to comment on proposed and continuing collection of
information in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995
(PRA) (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)). This program ensures that information
is in the desired format, reporting burden (time and costs) is minimal,
collection instruments are clearly understood, and OSHA's estimate of
the information collection burden is accurate. The Occupational Safety
and Health Act of 1970 (the OSH Act) (29 U.S.C. 651 et seq.) authorizes
information collection by employers as necessary or appropriate for
enforcement of the OSH Act or for developing information regarding the
causes and prevention of occupational injuries, illnesses, and
accidents (29 U.S.C. 657). The OSH Act also requires OSHA to obtain
such information with minimum burden upon employers, especially those
operating small businesses, and to reduce to the maximum extent
feasible unnecessary duplication of efforts in obtaining information
(29 U.S.C. 657).
Section 1926.752(a)(1). Description of the requirement. Based on
the results of a specified method for testing field-cured samples, the
controlling contractor must provide the steel erector with written
notification that the concrete in the footings, piers, and walls, or
the mortar in the masonry piers and walls, is at 75% of its minimum
compressive-design strength or has sufficient strength to support loads
imposed during steel erection. Note: This is not and will not be
enforced for mortar in piers and walls until such time as OSHA is able
to define an appropriate substitute or until an appropriate American
Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) test method is developed.
Sections 1926.752(a)(2) and 1926.755(b)(1). Description of the
requirements. Under section 1926.752(a)(2), the controlling contractor,
before it authorizes commencement of steel erection, must notify the
steel erector in writing that any repairs, replacements, and
modifications to anchor bolts (rods) have been made in accordance with
section 1926.755(b)(1) which requires the controlling contractor to
obtain approval from the project structural engineer of record for the
repairs, replacements, and modifications.
Section 1926.753(c)(5). Description of the requirement. Employers
must not deactivate safety latches on hooks or make them inoperable
except for the situation when: A qualified rigger determines that it is
safer to hoist and place purlins and single joists by doing so; or
except when equivalent protection is provided in the site-specific
erection plan.
Section 1926.753(e)(2). Description of the requirement. Employers
must have the maximum capacity of the total multiple-lift rigging
assembly, as well as each of its individual attachment points,
certified by the manufacturer or a qualified rigger.
Sections 1926.755(b)(1) and 1926.755(b)(2). Description of the
requirements. Under section 1926.755(b)(2), throughout steel erection
the controlling contractor must notify the steel erector in writing of
additional repairs, replacements, and modifications of anchor bolts
(rods); section 1926.755(b)(1) requires that these repairs,
replacements, and modifications not be made without
approval from the project structural engineer of record.
Section 1926.757(a)(4). Description of the requirement. If steel
joists at or near columns span more than 60 feet, employers must set
the joists in tandem with all bridging installed. However, the employer
may use an alternative method of erection if a qualified person
develops the alternative method, it provides equivalent stability, and
the employer includes the method in the site-specific erection plan.
Section 1926.757(a)(7). Description of the requirement. Employers
must not modify steel joists or steel joist girders in a way that
affects their strength without the approval of the project structural
engineer of record.
Sections 1926.757(a)(9) and 1926.758(g). Description of the
requirements. An employer can use a steel joist, steel joist girder,
purlin, or girt as an anchorage point for a fall-arrest system only
with the written approval of a qualified person.
Section 1926.757(e)(4)(i). Description of the requirement. An
employer must install and anchor all bridging on joists and attach all
joist bearing ends before placing a bundle of decking on the joists,
unless: A qualified person determines that the structure or portion of
the structure is capable of supporting the bundle, the employer
documents this determination in the site-specific erection plan, and
follows the additional requirements specified in section
1926.757(e)(4)(ii)-(vi).
Section 1926.760(e) and (e)(1). Description of the requirements.
The steel erector can leave its fall protection at the jobsite after
completion of the erection activity only if the controlling contractor
or its authorized representative directs the steel erector to do so and
inspects and accepts responsibility for the fall protection.
1926.752(e) and Appendix A to Subpart R, ``Guidelines for
Establishing the Components of a Site-Specific Erection Plan: Non-
mandatory Guidelines for Complying with 1926.752(e),'' paragraph (a).
Description of the requirement. Site-specific erection plan. Where
employers elect, due to conditions specific to the site, to develop
alternate means and methods that provide employee protection in
accordance with section 1926.753(c)(5), section 1926.757(a)(4) or
section 1926.757(e)(4), a site-specific erection plan shall be
developed by a qualified person and be available at the work site.
Guidelines for establishing a site-specific erection plan are contained
in Appendix A to this subpart.
Appendix A to Subpart R, paragraph (b). Description of the
requirement. Paragraph (b) of the Appendix provides for the development
of a site-specific erection plan. Preconstruction conference(s) and
site inspection(s) are held between the erector and the controlling
contractor, and others such as the project engineer and fabricator
before the start of steel erection. The purpose of such conference(s)
is to develop and review the site-specific erection plan that will meet
the requirements of this section.
Appendix A to Subpart R, paragraphs (c), (c)(1)-(c)(9), (d), (d)(1)
and (d)(2). Description of the requirement. These paragraphs of
Appendix A describe the components of a site-specific erection plan,
including: The sequence of erection activity developed in coordination
with the controlling contractor; a description of the crane and derrick
selection and placement procedures; a description of the fall
protection procedures that will be used to comply with section
1926.760; a description of the procedures that will be used to comply
with section 1926.759; a description of the special procedures required
for hazardous non-routine tasks; a certification for each employee who
has received training for performing steel erection operations as
required by section 1926.761; a list of the qualified and competent
persons; a description of the procedures that will be utilized in the
event of rescue or emergency response; the identification of the site
and project; and signed and dated by the qualified person(s)
responsible for its preparation and modification.
Paragraph (c)(4)(ii) of Appendix G to Subpart R. Description of the
requirement. This mandatory appendix duplicates the regulatory
requirements of section 1926.502 (``Fall protection systems criteria
and practices''), notably the requirements specified in paragraph
(c)(4)(ii). This paragraph addresses the certification of safety nets
as an option available to employers who can demonstrate that performing
a drop test on safety nets is unreasonable. This provision allows such
employers to certify that their safety nets, including the installation
of the nets, protect workers at least as well as safety nets that meet
the drop-test criteria. The employer must complete the certification
process prior to using the net for fall protection, and the certificate
must include the following information: Identification of the net and
the type of installation used for the net; the date the certifying
party determined that the net and its installation would meet the drop-
test criteria; and the signature of the party making this
determination. The most recent certificate must be available at the
jobsite for inspection.
II. Special Issues for Comment
OSHA has a particular interest in comments on the following issues:
Whether the proposed collection of information is
necessary for the proper performance of the Agency's functions,
including whether the information is useful;
The accuracy of OSHA's estimate of the burden (time and
costs) of the information collection requirements, including the
validity of the methodology and assumptions used;
The quality, utility, and clarity of the information
collected; and
Ways to minimize the burden on employers who must comply.
For example, by using automated, or other technological information
collection, and transmission techniques.
III. Proposed Actions
OSHA is requesting an adjustment increase of 9,426 burden hours,
from 21,393 to 30,819 burden hours. This increase is due in part to an
increase in estimated worksites associated with this subpart, from
13,864 to 16,748. The increase also results from the Agency's
determination that information collection requirements identified in
Subpart R[mdash x ]Steel Erection's non-mandatory Appendix
A are covered by the PRA.
Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.
Title: Steel Erection (29 CFR part 1926, subpart R).
OMB Control Number: 1218-0241.
Affected Public: Business or other for-profits.
Number of Respondents: 70,329.
Frequency: On occasion, annually; triennially.
Average Time per Response: Various.
Estimated Number of Responses: 92,160.
Estimated Total Burden Hours: 30,819.
Estimated Cost (Operation and Maintenance): $0.
IV. Public Participation--Submission of Comments on This Notice and
Internet Access to Comments and Submissions
You may submit comments in response to this document as follows:
(1) Electronically at http://www.regulations.gov, which is the Federal
eRulemaking Portal; (2) by facsimile (fax); or (3) by hard copy. All
comments, attachments, and other material must identify the Agency name
and the OSHA docket number for the ICR (Docket No. OSHA-2011-0055). You
may supplement electronic
submissions by uploading document files electronically. If you wish to
mail additional materials in reference to an electronic or facsimile
submission, you must submit them to the OSHA Docket Office (see the
section of this notice titled ADDRESSES). The additional materials must
clearly identify your electronic comments by your name, date, and the
docket number so the Agency can attach them to your comments.
Because of security procedures, the use of regular mail may cause a
significant delay in the receipt of comments. For information about
security procedures concerning the delivery of materials by hand,
express delivery, messenger, or courier service, please contact the
OSHA Docket Office at (202) 693-2350, (TTY (877) 889-5627).
Comments and submissions are posted without change at http://www.regulations.gov. Therefore, OSHA cautions commenters about
submitting personal information such as social security numbers and
date of birth. Although all submissions are listed in the http://www.regulations.gov index, some information (e.g., copyrighted
material) is not publicly available to read or download through this
Web site. All submissions, including copyrighted material, are
available for inspection and copying at the OSHA Docket Office.
Information on using the http://www.regulations.gov Web site to submit
comments and access the docket is available at the Web site's ``User
Tips'' link. Contact the OSHA Docket Office for information about
materials not available through the Web site, and for assistance in
using the Internet to locate docket submissions.
V. Authority and Signature
Loren Sweatt, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational
Safety and Health, directed the preparation of this notice. The
authority for this notice is the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44
U.S.C. 3506 et seq.) and Secretary of Labor's Order No. 1-2012 (77 FR
3912).
Signed at Washington, DC, on September 19, 2017.
Loren Sweatt,
Deputy Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health.
[FR Doc. 2017-20771 Filed 9-27-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-26-P
