Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Labor.
Request for public comment.
OSHA solicits public comment concerning its proposal to extend OMB approval of the information collection requirements contained in paragraphs (b)(1), (b)(6)(i), (b)(6)(ii), (c)(15)(ii), (e)(1)(i), (ii), and (iii) and (f)(2) of the Rigging Equipment for Construction Standard (29 CFR 1926.251). These paragraphs require affixing identification tags or markings on rigging equipment, developing and maintaining inspection records, and retaining proof-testing certificates.
Comments must be submitted (postmarked, sent, or received) by August 20, 2007.
Stewart Burkhammer, Directorate of Construction, OSHA, U.S. Department of Labor, Room N–3468, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20210; telephone (202) 693–2020.
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
The following section identifies and describes the information collection requirements contained in the Rigging Equipment in Construction Standard (i.e., “the Standard”). The purpose of each of these requirements is to prevent employees from using defective or deteriorated equipment, thereby reducing their risk of death or serious injury caused by equipment failure during material handling.
Paragraph (b)(1) requires that alloy steel chains have permanently affixed durable identification tags stating size, grade, rated capacity and sling manufacturer. Paragraph (b)(6)(i) requires the employer to make a thorough periodic inspection of alloy steel chain slings in use on a regular basis, but at least once a year. Paragraph (b)(6)(ii) requires the employer to make and maintain a record of the most recent month in which each alloy steel chain was inspected and make the record available for examination.
Paragraph (c)(15)(ii) requires that all welded end attachments of wire rope slings be proof-tested by the manufacturer at twice their rated capacity prior to initial use, and that the employer retain a certificate of the proof test and make it available for examination.
Paragraphs (e)(1)(i), (ii), and (iii) require that synthetic web slings be marked or coded to show the manufacturer's name or trademark, the rated capacity for the type of hitch and the type of synthetic webbing material.
Paragraph (f)(2) requires that all hooks for which no applicable manufacturer's recommendations are available be tested twice before they are put into use. The employer shall maintain a record of the dates and results of the tests.
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.
OSHA is requesting that OMB extend its approval of the information collection requirements contained in the Rigging Equipment Standard (29 CFR 1926.251). The Agency will summarize the comments submitted in response to this notice and will include this summary in the request to OMB.
You may submit comments in response to this document as follows: (1) Electronically at
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
Edwin G. Foulke, Jr., 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. 5–2002 (67 FR 65008).