[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 41 (Wednesday, March 2, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11516-11518]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-4697]



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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 (29 CFR part 1926, subpart 
R).

DATES: Comments must be submitted (postmarked, sent, or received) by 
May 2, 2011.

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, 
U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health 
Administration, Room N-2625, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, 
DC 20210. Deliveries (hand, express mail, messenger, and courier 
service) are accepted during the Department of Labor's and Docket 
Office's normal business hours, 8:15 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., e.t.
    Instructions: All submissions must include the Agency name and OSHA 
docket number for the Information Collection request (ICR) (OSHA-2011-
0055). 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 material 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, Room N-3609, 
200 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20210; telephone (202) 
693-2222.

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 information 
collection requirements in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act 
of 1995 (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 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 
that OSHA 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 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). 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)(2) and 1926.755(b)(1). Description of the 
requirements. 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). 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.

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    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 Sec.  
1926.757(e)(4)(ii)-(vi).
    Section 1926.760(e) and (e)(1). Description of the requirement. 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.
    Section 1926.761. Description of the requirement. Employers must 
have qualified persons provide training to all workers exposed to fall 
hazards. This training is to include: Recognition of fall hazards at 
the worksite; use and operation of guardrail systems, personal fall-
arrest systems, positioning-device systems, fall-restraint systems, 
safety-net systems, and other fall protection implemented at the 
worksite; correct procedures for erecting, maintaining, disassembling, 
and inspecting these fall-protection systems; procedures that prevent 
falls to lower levels, and through or into holes and openings in 
walking-working surfaces; and the fall-protection requirements of this 
Subpart. In addition, employers are to provide special training to 
workers engaged in multiple-lift rigging procedures (i.e., to recognize 
multi-lift hazards and in the proper procedures and equipment to 
perform multiple lifts), connector procedures (i.e., to identify 
connector hazards and in the requirements of Sec. Sec.  1926.756(c) and 
1926.760(b)), and controlled-decking-zone (CDZ) procedures (i.e., 
knowledge of CDZ hazards and in the requirements of Sec. Sec.  
1926.754(e) and 1926.760(c)).
    Paragraph (c)(4)(ii) of Appendix G to Subpart R. Description of the 
requirement. 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 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:
    <bullet> Whether the proposed information collection requirements 
are necessary for the proper performance of the Agency's functions, 
including whether the information is useful;
    <bullet> 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;
    <bullet> The quality, utility, and clarity of the information 
collected; and
    <bullet> 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

    The Agency is requesting that OMB extend its approval of the 
information collection requirements contained in the Standard on Steel 
Erection (29 CFR part 1926, subpart R). The Agency is requesting an 
adjustment decrease of 7,414 burden hours (from 30,339 hours to 22,925 
hours). This decrease is due to a decline in worksites associated with 
this subpart from 20,787 to 15,758.
    Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Title: Steel Erection (29 CFR part 1926, subpart R).
    OMB Number: 1218-0241.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profits.
    Number of Respondents: 15,758.
    Frequency: On occasion.
    Average Time per Response: Varies from one minute (.02 hour) for a 
controlling contractor to inform a steel erector to leave fall 
protection at the jobsite to three hours for controlling contractors to 
obtain approval from the project structural engineer of record before 
modifying anchor bolts.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 22,925.
    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

    David Michaels, Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational 
Safety and Health, directed the preparation of this

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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. 4-2010 
(75 FR 55355).

    Signed at Washington, DC, on February 25, 2011.
David Michaels,
Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health.
[FR Doc. 2011-4697 Filed 3-1-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-26-P