[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 163 (Thursday, August 24, 2017)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 40313-40317]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-17060]



[[Page 40313]]

Vol. 82

Thursday,

No. 163

August 24, 2017

Part XII





Department of Labor





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Semiannual Regulatory Agenda

Federal Register / Vol. 82 , No. 163 / Thursday, August 24, 2017 / 
Unified Agenda

[[Page 40314]]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Office of the Secretary

20 CFR Chs. I, IV, V, VI, VII, and IX

29 CFR Subtitle A and Chs. II, IV, V, XVII, and XXV

30 CFR Ch. I

41 CFR Ch. 60

48 CFR Ch. 29


Semiannual Agenda of Regulations

AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, Labor.

ACTION: Semiannual Regulatory Agenda.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Internet has become the means for disseminating the 
entirety of the Department of Labor's semiannual regulatory agenda. 
However, the Regulatory Flexibility Act requires publication of a 
regulatory flexibility agenda in the Federal Register. This Federal 
Register Notice contains the regulatory flexibility agenda.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Laura M. Dawkins, Director, Office of 
Regulatory and Programmatic Policy, Office of the Assistant Secretary 
for Policy, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Avenue NW., Room 
S-2312, Washington, DC 20210; (202) 693-5959.

    Note:  Information pertaining to a specific regulation can be 
obtained from the agency contact listed for that particular 
regulation.


SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Executive Order 12866 requires the 
semiannual publication of an agenda of regulations that contains a 
listing of all the regulations the Department of Labor expects to have 
under active consideration for promulgation, proposal, or review during 
the coming one-year period. The entirety of the Department's semiannual 
agenda is available online at www.reginfo.gov.
    The Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 602) requires DOL to 
publish in the Federal Register a regulatory flexibility agenda. The 
Department's Regulatory Flexibility Agenda, published with this notice, 
includes only those rules on its semiannual agenda that are likely to 
have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small 
entities; and those rules identified for periodic review in keeping 
with the requirements of section 610 of the Regulatory Flexibility Act. 
Thus, the regulatory flexibility agenda is a subset of the Department's 
semiannual regulatory agenda. The Department of Labor is withdrawing 
the only section 610 item on the Department of Labor's Regulatory 
Flexibility Agenda:

Occupational Safety and Health Administration

Bloodborne Pathogens (RIN 1218-AC34)

    All interested members of the public are invited and encouraged to 
let departmental officials know how our regulatory efforts can be 
improved, and are invited to participate in and comment on the review 
or development of the regulations listed on the Department's agenda.

 Edward C. Hugler,
Acting Secretary of Labor.

                Office of the Secretary--Final Rule Stage
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
160.......................  Change of Mailing Address          1290-AA32
                             for the Benefits Review
                             Board (Section 610
                             Review).
------------------------------------------------------------------------


      Employee Benefits Security Administration--Completed Actions
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
161.......................  Guide or Similar                   1210-AB53
                             Requirement for Section
                             408(b)(2) Disclosures.
162.......................  Definition of the Term             1210-AB79
                             Fiduciary--Delay of
                             Applicability Date.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


   Occupational Safety and Health Administration--Proposed Rule Stage
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
163.......................  Occupational Exposure to           1218-AB76
                             Beryllium.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Occupational Safety and Health Administration--Long-Term Actions
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
164.......................  Infectious Diseases.......         1218-AC46
------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Occupational Safety and Health Administration--Completed Actions
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Regulation
       Sequence No.                    Title             Identifier No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
165.......................  Bloodborne Pathogens               1218-AC34
                             (Completion of a Section
                             610 Review).
166.......................  Combustible Dust..........         1218-AC41
167.......................  Preventing Backover                1218-AC51
                             Injuries and Fatalities.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 40315]]

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR (DOL)

Office of the Secretary (OS)

Final Rule Stage

160. <bullet> Change of Mailing Address for the Benefits Review Board 
(Section 610 Review)

    Legal Authority: 5 U.S.C. 301; 30 U.S.C. 901 et seq.; 33 U.S.C. 901 
et seq.
    Abstract: The rule amends one section of the Benefits Review 
Board's regulations in order to change the mailing address for 
correspondence and legal pleadings sent to the Board.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Final Rule..........................   12/00/17  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No.
    Agency Contact: Thomas Shepherd, Clerk of the Appellate Boards, 
Department of Labor, Office of the Secretary, 200 Constitution Avenue 
NW., Room S-5220, Washington, DC 20210, Phone: 202 693-6319, Email: 
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#9eedf6fbeef6fbecfab0eaf6f1f3ffeddefaf1f2b0f9f1e8"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="07746f62776f62756329736f686a66744763686b29606871">[email protected]</span></a>.
    RIN: 1290-AA32

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR (DOL)

Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA)

Completed Actions

161. Guide or Similar Requirement for Section 408(b)(2) Disclosures

    Legal Authority: 29 U.S.C. 1108(b)(2); 29 U.S.C. 1135
    Abstract: Paragraph (c) of 29 CFR 2550.408(b)-2 requires covered 
service providers to make certain disclosures to responsible plan 
fiduciaries in order for contracts or arrangements between the parties 
to be considered reasonable under section 408(b)(2) of the Employee 
Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA). This rulemaking would amend the 
disclosure provisions in paragraph (c) so that covered service 
providers may be required to furnish a guide or similar tool along with 
such disclosures. A guide or similar requirement may assist 
fiduciaries, especially fiduciaries to small and medium-sized plans, in 
identifying and understanding the potentially complex disclosure 
documents that are provided to them, or if disclosures are located in 
multiple documents.
    EBSA is withdrawing this entry from the agenda at this time. 
Withdrawal of an entry does not necessarily mean that EBSA will not 
proceed with the rulemaking in the future. Withdrawal allows EBSA to 
assess the subject matter further and determine whether rulemaking in 
this area is appropriate. Following such an assessment, EBSA may 
determine that rulemaking is appropriate. If that determination is 
made, this or a similar matter will be included in succeeding 
semiannual agenda.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NPRM................................   03/12/14  79 FR 13949
NPRM Comment Period End.............   06/10/14  .......................
Withdrawn...........................   03/30/17  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Jeffrey J. Turner, Deputy Director, Office of 
Regulations and Interpretations, Department of Labor, Employee Benefits 
Security Administration, 200 Constitution Avenue NW., FP Building, Room 
N-5655, Washington, DC 20210, Phone: 202 693-8500.
    RIN: 1210-AB53

162. <bullet> Definition of the Term Fiduciary--Delay of Applicability 
Date

    Legal Authority: 29 U.S.C. 1002 (ERISA sec 3(21)); 29 U.S.C. 1135 
(ERISA sec 505)
    Abstract: This rulemaking extends for 60 days the applicability 
date of the final regulation, published on April 8, 2016, defining who 
is a ``fiduciary'' under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 
1974 and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. It also extends for 60 days 
the applicability dates of the Best Interest Contract Exemption and the 
Class Exemption for Principal Transactions in Certain Assets Between 
Investment Advice Fiduciaries and Employee Benefit Plans and IRAs. It 
requires that fiduciaries relying on these exemptions for covered 
transactions adhere only to the Impartial Conduct Standards (including 
the best ``interest'' standard), as conditions of the exemptions during 
the transition period from June 9, 2017, through January 1, 2018. Thus, 
the fiduciary definition in the rule (Fiduciary Rule or Rule) published 
on April 8, 2016, and Impartial Conduct Standards in these exemptions, 
are applicable on June 9, 2017, while compliance with the remaining 
conditions in these exemptions, such as requirements to make specific 
written disclosures and representations of fiduciary compliance in 
communications with investors, is not required until January 1, 2018. 
This rulemaking also delays the applicability of amendments to 
Prohibited Transaction Exemption 84-24 until January 1, 2018, other 
than the Impartial Conduct Standards, which will become applicable on 
June 9, 2017. Finally, this rulemaking extends for 60 days the 
applicability dates of amendments to other previously granted 
exemptions. The President, by Memorandum to the Secretary of Labor 
dated February 3, 2017, directed the Department of Labor to examine 
whether the Fiduciary Rule may adversely affect the ability of 
Americans to gain access to retirement information and financial 
advice, and to prepare an updated economic and legal analysis 
concerning the likely impact of the Fiduciary Rule as part of that 
examination. The extensions announced in this rulemaking are necessary 
to enable the Department to perform this examination and to consider 
possible changes with respect to the Fiduciary Rule and PTEs based on 
new evidence or analysis developed pursuant to the examination.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Proposed Rule; Extension of            03/03/17  82 FR 12319
 Applicability Date.
Proposed Rule Comment Period End....   03/17/17  .......................
Final Rule; Delay of Applicability     04/07/17  82 FR 16902
 Date.
Final Rule; Delay of Applicability     06/09/17  .......................
 Date Effective.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Jeffrey J. Turner, Deputy Director, Office of 
Regulations and Interpretations, Department of Labor, Employee Benefits 
Security Administration, 200 Constitution Avenue NW., FP Building, Room 
N-5655, Washington, DC 20210, Phone: 202 693-8500, Fax: 202 219-7291.
    RIN: 1210-AB79

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR (DOL)

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

Proposed Rule Stage

163. Occupational Exposure to Beryllium

    Legal Authority: 29 U.S.C. 655(b); 29 U.S.C. 657
    Abstract: In 1999 and 2001, OSHA was petitioned to issue an 
emergency temporary standard for permissible exposure limit (PEL) to 
beryllium by the

[[Page 40316]]

United Steel Workers (formerly the Paper Allied-Industrial, Chemical, 
and Energy Workers Union), Public Citizen Health Research Group, and 
others. The Agency denied the petitions but stated its intent to begin 
data gathering to collect needed information on beryllium's toxicity, 
risks, and patterns of usage. On November 26, 2002, OSHA published a 
Request for Information (RFI) (67 FR 70707) to solicit information 
pertinent to occupational exposure to beryllium, including: Current 
exposures to beryllium; the relationship between exposure to beryllium 
and the development of adverse health effects; exposure assessment and 
monitoring methods; exposure control methods; and medical surveillance. 
In addition, the Agency conducted field surveys of selected worksites 
to assess current exposures and control methods being used to reduce 
employee exposures to beryllium. OSHA convened a Small Business 
Advocacy Review Panel under the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement 
Fairness Act (SBREFA) and completed the SBREFA Report in January 2008. 
OSHA also completed a scientific peer review of its draft risk 
assessment. OSHA published a NPRM for a comprehensive beryllium 
standard for general industry on August 7, 2015 (80 FR 47565) and 
convened an informal public hearing on the proposed hearings in 
Washington, DC, on March 21 and 22, 2016. Following the Agency's review 
and consideration of comments and testimony received on the proposed 
standard, OSHA published final comprehensive standards for general 
industry, construction and shipyards on January 9, 2017 (82 FR 2470). 
In accordance with the Presidential directive as expressed in the 
memorandum of January 20, 2017 from the Assistant to the President and 
Chief of Staff entitled ``Regulatory Freeze Pending Review,'' OSHA 
delayed the effective date of the standard to May 20, 2017, to allow 
OSHA officials the opportunity for further review and consideration of 
the new regulations. Based on this review and the comments received in 
response to extending the effective date on June 27, 2017. OSHA 
proposed changes to the standards that apply to construction and 
shipyard operations.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Request for Information (RFI).......   11/26/02  67 FR 70707
RFI Comment Period End..............   02/24/03  .......................
SBREFA Report Completed.............   01/23/08  .......................
Initiated Peer Review of Health        03/22/10  .......................
 Effects and Risk Assessment.
Complete Peer Review................   11/19/10  .......................
NPRM................................   08/07/15  80 FR 47565
NPRM Comment Period End.............   11/05/15  .......................
Notice of Public Hearing; Date 02/29/  12/30/15  80 FR 81475
 2016.
Notice of Public Hearing; Date         02/16/16  81 FR 7717
 Change 03/21/2016.
Final Rule..........................   01/09/17  82 FR 2470
Final Rule; Delay of Effective Date.   02/01/17  82 FR 8901
Final Rule; Proposed Further Delay     03/02/17  82 FR 12318
 of Effective Date.
Final Rule; Further Delay of           03/21/17  82 FR 14439
 Effective Date.
Final Rule; Further Delay of           05/20/17  .......................
 Effective Date Effective.
NPRM................................   06/27/17  82 FR 29182
NPRM Comment Period End.............   08/28/17  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: William Perry, Director, Directorate of Standards 
and Guidance, Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health 
Administration, 200 Constitution Avenue NW., FP Building, Room N-3718, 
Washington, DC 20210, Phone: 202 693-1950, Fax: 202 693-1678, Email: 
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#c0b0a5b2b2b9eea2a9acac80a4afaceea7afb6"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="94e4f1e6e6edbaf6fdf8f8d4f0fbf8baf3fbe2">[email protected]</span></a>.
    RIN: 1218-AB76

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR (DOL)

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

Long-Term Actions

164. Infectious Diseases

    Legal Authority: 5 U.S.C. 533; 29 U.S.C. 657 and 658; 29 U.S.C. 
660; 29 U.S.C. 666; 29 U.S.C. 669; 29 U.S.C. 673
    Abstract: Employees in health care and other high-risk environments 
face long-standing infectious disease hazards such as tuberculosis 
(TB), varicella disease (chickenpox, shingles), and measles (rubeola), 
as well as new and emerging infectious disease threats, such as Severe 
Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and pandemic influenza. Health care 
workers and workers in related occupations, or who are exposed in other 
high-risk environments, are at increased risk of contracting TB, SARS, 
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and other 
infectious diseases that can be transmitted through a variety of 
exposure routes. OSHA is concerned about the ability of employees to 
continue to provide health care and other critical services without 
unreasonably jeopardizing their health. OSHA is developing a standard 
to ensure that employers establish a comprehensive infection control 
program and control measures to protect employees from infectious 
disease exposures to pathogens that can cause significant disease. 
Workplaces where such control measures might be necessary include: 
Health care, emergency response, correctional facilities, homeless 
shelters, drug treatment programs, and other occupational settings 
where employees can be at increased risk of exposure to potentially 
infectious people. A standard could also apply to laboratories, which 
handle materials that may be a source of pathogens, and to 
pathologists, coroners' offices, medical examiners, and mortuaries.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Request for Information (RFI).......   05/06/10  75 FR 24835
RFI Comment Period End..............   08/04/10  .......................
Analyze Comments....................   12/30/10  .......................
Stakeholder Meetings................   07/05/11  76 FR 39041
Initiate SBREFA.....................   06/04/14  .......................
Complete SBREFA.....................   12/22/14  .......................
                                     -----------------------------------
NPRM................................           To Be Determined
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: William Perry, Director, Directorate of Standards 
and Guidance, Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health 
Administration, 200 Constitution Avenue NW., FP Building, Room N-3718, 
Washington, DC 20210, Phone: 202 693-1950, Fax: 202 693-1678, Email: 
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#92e2f7e0e0ebbcf0fbfefed2f6fdfebcf5fde4"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="58283d2a2a21763a313434183c3734763f372e">[email protected]</span></a>.
    RIN: 1218-AC46


[[Page 40317]]



DEPARTMENT OF LABOR (DOL)

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

Completed Actions

165. Bloodborne Pathogens (Completion of a Section 610 Review)

    Legal Authority: 5 U.S.C. 533; 5 U.S.C. 610; 29 U.S.C. 655(b)
    Abstract: OSHA will undertake a review of the Bloodborne Pathogen 
Standard (29 CFR 1910.1030) in accordance with the requirements of the 
Regulatory Flexibility Act and section 5 of Executive Order 12866. The 
review will consider the continued need for the rule; whether the rule 
overlaps, duplicates, or conflicts with other Federal, State or local 
regulations; and the degree to which technology, economic conditions, 
or other factors may have changed since the rule was evaluated. OSHA is 
withdrawing this entry from the agenda at this time due to resource 
constraints and other priorities.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Begin Review........................   10/22/09  .......................
Notice of Request for Comment.......   05/14/10  75 FR 27237
Notice of Request for Comment Period   08/12/10  .......................
 End.
Withdrawn...........................   03/30/17  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No.
    Agency Contact: Amanda Edens, Director, Directorate of Technical 
Support and Emergency Management, Department of Labor, Occupational 
Safety and Health Administration, 200 Constitution Avenue NW., FP 
Building, Room N-3653, Washington, DC 20210, Phone: 202 693-2300, Fax: 
202 693-1644, Email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#107574757e633e7d717e746950747f7c3e777f66"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="f99c9d9c978ad79498979d80b99d9695d79e968f">[email protected]</span></a>.
    RIN: 1218-AC34

166. Combustible Dust

    Legal Authority: 29 U.S.C. 655(b); 29 U.S.C. 657
    Abstract: Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has 
initiated rulemaking to develop a combustible dust standard for general 
industry. OSHA will use information gathered, including from an 
upcoming SBREFA panel, to develop a comprehensive standard that 
addresses combustible dust hazards. OSHA is withdrawing this entry from 
the agenda at this time due to resource constraints and other 
priorities.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
ANPRM...............................   10/21/09  74 FR 54333
Notice of Stakeholder Meetings......   12/14/09  .......................
ANPRM Comment Period End............   01/19/10  .......................
Notice of Stakeholder Meetings......   03/09/10  75 FR 10739
Withdrawn...........................   03/30/17  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: William Perry, Director, Directorate of Standards 
and Guidance, Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health 
Administration, 200 Constitution Avenue NW., FP Building, Room N-3718, 
Washington, DC 20210, Phone: 202 693-1950, Fax: 202 693-1678, Email: 
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#c9b9acbbbbb0e7aba0a5a589ada6a5e7aea6bf"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="4a3a2f38383364282326260a2e2526642d253c">[email protected]</span></a>.
    RIN: 1218-AC41

167. Preventing Backover Injuries and Fatalities

    Legal Authority: 29 U.S.C. 655(b)
    Abstract: Backing vehicles and equipment are common causes of 
struck-by injuries and can also cause caught-between injuries when 
backing vehicles and equipment pin a worker against an object. Struck-
by injuries and caught-between injuries are two of the four leading 
causes of workplace fatalities. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports 
that in 2013, 67 workers were fatally backed over while working. While 
many backing incidents can prove to be fatal, workers can suffer 
severe, non-fatal injuries as well. A review of OSHA's Integrated 
Management Information System (IMIS) database found that backing 
incidents can result in serious injury to the back and pelvis, 
fractured bones, concussions, amputations, and other injuries. Emerging 
technologies in the field of backing operations may prevent incidents. 
The technologies include cameras and proximity detection systems. The 
use of spotters and internal traffic control plans can also make 
backing operations safer. The Agency has held stakeholder meetings on 
backovers, and is conducting site visits to employers, and is 
developing a standard to address these hazards. OSHA is withdrawing 
this entry from the agenda at this time due to resource constraints and 
other priorities.
    Timetable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                    Date            FR Cite
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Request for Information (RFI).......   03/29/12  77 FR 18973
RFI Comment Period End..............   07/27/12  .......................
Withdrawn...........................   03/30/17  .......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.
    Agency Contact: Dean McKenzie, Director, Directorate of 
Construction, Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health 
Administration, 200 Constitution Avenue NW., FP Building, Room N-3468, 
Washington, DC 20210, Phone: 202 693-2020, Fax: 202 693-1689, Email: 
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#69040a020c0713000c470d0c0807290d0605470e061f"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="28454b434d4652414d064c4d4946684c4744064f475e">[email protected]</span></a>.
    RIN: 1218-AC51

[FR Doc. 2017-17060 Filed 8-23-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4510-HL-P


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