OSHA Sets Two Public Hearings on Proposed Shipyard Rule
OSHA announced in the June 30 Federal Register that it will hold two informal public hearings on the proposed rule for General Working Conditions in Shipyard Employment. The first hearing is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. on Sept. 9 at the Department of Labor's Frances Perkins Building in Washington, D.C. The second hearing will convene in Seattle on Oct. 21 at 9:30 a.m. The address for the Seattle location will be provided in a later Federal Register notice.
"These hearings will provide a forum for interested stakeholders to discuss the proposed rule and ways to improve existing standards on working conditions for employees in shipyard employment," said Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA Edwin G. Foulke, Jr. "We welcome all input as we continue our efforts to reduce and prevent safety and health hazards in this industry."
The proposed rule revises and updates the existing standards in subpart F of 29 CFR 1915 to address 14 general working conditions in shipyard employment including housekeeping, lighting, sanitation, and the control of hazardous energy (lockout/tagout). The comment period for this rulemaking closed on March 19, 2008.
Those interested in presenting testimony at either hearing must notify OSHA in writing of their intention no later than July 18, 2008. Parties who request more than 10 minutes for their presentations at the hearing and those who will present documentary evidence must provide the agency with copies of their full testimony and all documentary evidence by Aug. 8, 2008.
Attendees may submit your notice of intention using the Federal eRulemaking Portal, www.regulations.gov; via facsimile (not to exceed 10 pages) to the OSHA Docket Office at 202-693-1648; or by regular mail, messenger, or courier service to the OSHA Docket Office, Docket No. OSHA-S049-2006-0675, U.S. Department of Labor, Frances Perkins Building, 200 Constitution Ave., N.W., Room N-2625, Washington, DC 20210; telephone 202-693-2350.