[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 202 (Monday, October 19, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 66360-66363]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-23027]
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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
[Docket No. OSHA-2011-0055]
Steel Erection Standard; 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 the proposal to
extend the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) approval of the
information collection requirements contained in the Steel Erection
Standard.
DATES: Comments must be submitted (postmarked, sent, or received) by
December 18, 2020.
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 a copy of your comments and
attachments to the OSHA Docket Office, OSHA Docket No. OSHA-2011-0055,
Occupational Safety and Health Administration, U.S. Department of
Labor, Room N-3653, 200 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20210.
Please note: While OSHA's Docket Office is continuing to accept and
process submissions by regular mail, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the
Docket Office is closed to the public and not able to received
submissions to the docket by hand, express mail, messenger, and courier
service.
Instructions: All submissions must include the agency name and the
OSHA docket number (OSHA-2011-0055) for the Information Collection
Request (ICR). All comments, including any personal information you
provide, such as social security numbers and dates of birth, 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 material in the
docket, go to http://www.regulations.gov or the OSHA Docket Office at
the above address. 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 website. All submissions,
including copyrighted material, are available for inspection and
copying at the OSHA Docket Office. You may also contact Theda Kenney at
(202) 693-2222 to obtain a copy of the ICR.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Seleda Perryman or Theda Kenney,
Directorate of Standards and Guidance, OSHA, U.S. Department of Labor,
telephone (202) 693-2222.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
The Department of Labor, as part of a continuing effort to reduce
paperwork and respondent (i.e., employer) burden, conducts a
preclearance process to provide the public with an opportunity to
comment on proposed and continuing information collection requirements
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, the reporting burden (time and costs) is minimal, the
collection instruments are clearly understood, and OSHA's estimate of
the information collection burden is accurate. The Occupational Safety
and Health Act of 1970 (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 a minimum burden upon employers, especially those
operating small businesses, and to reduce to the maximum extent
feasible unnecessary duplication of effort in obtaining said
information (29 U.S.C. 657).
Section 1926.752(a)(1)
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 the
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)
Under Sec. 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 Sec.
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)
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)
Employers must have the maximum capacity of the total multiple-lift
rigging assembly, as well as each of the individual attachment points,
certified by the manufacturer, or a qualified rigger.
Sections 1926.755(b)(1) and 1926.755(b)(2)
Under Sec. 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); Sec. 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)
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)
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)
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)
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 Sec. Sec.
1926.757(e)(4)(ii)-(vi).
Sections 1926.760(e) and (e)(1)
The steel erector can leave the fall protection at the jobsite
after completion of the erection activity only if the controlling
contractor or the authorized representative directs the steel erector
to do so and inspects and accepts responsibility for the fall
protection.
Section 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)
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 Sec. Sec.
1926.753(c)(5), 1926.757(a)(4), or 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). 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). 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 Sec. 1926.760; a description of the procedures
that will be used to comply with Sec. 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 Sec. 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 the preparation and
modification.
Paragraph (c)(4)(ii) of Appendix G to Subpart R
This mandatory appendix duplicates the regulatory requirements of
Sec. 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 the 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 information collection requirements
are 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 3,337 burden hours
from 30,819 34,156 hours. This increase is the result of an estimated
increase in the number of covered employers. The total estimated number
of establishments affected by the regulation increased from 16,748 to
18,468, a total adjustment of 1,720 more establishments, based on
updated data.
Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.
Title: Steel Erection (29 CFR 1926, Subpart R).
OMB Control Number: 1218-0241.
Affected Public: Business or other for-profits.
Number of Respondents: 18,468.
Frequency: On Occasion; Quarterly; Annually; Immediately; Within 24
hours; Within 30 days.
Average Time per Response: Varies.
Estimated Number of Responses: 101,624.
Estimated Total Burden Hours: 34,156.
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 (Docket No. OSHA-2011-0055) for the ICR. 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 electronic comments by
your name, date, and the docket number so that 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
dates 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
website. All submissions, including copyrighted material, are available
for inspection and copying at the OSHA Docket Office. Information on
using the http://www.regulations.gov website to submit comments and
access the docket is available at the website's ``User Tips'' link.
Contact the OSHA Docket Office for information about materials not
available through the website, and for assistance in using the internet
to locate docket submissions.
V. Authority and Signature
Loren Sweatt, Principal 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 October 13, 2020.
Loren Sweatt,
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety
and Health.
[FR Doc. 2020-23027 Filed 10-16-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-26-P
