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DOL/OSHA

RIN: 1218-AB81

Publication ID: Fall 2004

Title: Standards Improvement (Miscellaneous Changes) for General Industry, Marine Terminals, and Construction Standards (Phase II)
Abstract: The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) proposed to remove or revise provisions in its health standards that are out of date, duplicative, unnecessary, or inconsistent. Where appropriate, the Agency is primarily changing that provision to reduce the burden imposed on the regulated community by these requirements. In this document, substantive changes standards will revise or eliminate duplicative, inconsistent, or unnecessary regulatory requirements without diminishing employee protections. Phase I of this Standards Improvement process was completed in June 1998 (63 FR 33450). OSHA plans to initiate Phase III of this project at a future date to address problems in various safety and health standards.
Agency: Department of Labor(DOL)	Priority: Other Significant
RIN Status: Previously published in the Unified Agenda	Agenda Stage of Rulemaking: Final Rule Stage
Major: No	Unfunded Mandates: No
CFR Citation: 29 CFR 1910, subpart Z 29 CFR 1910.1001 to 1910.1052 29 CFR 1910.142 29 CFR 1910.178 29 CFR 1910.219 29 CFR 1910.261 29 CFR 1910.265 29 CFR 1910.410 29 CFR 1917.92 29 CFR 1926.1101 29 CFR 1926.1127 29 CFR 1926.1129 29 CFR 1926.60 29 CFR 1926.62 (To search for a specific CFR, visit the Code of Federal Regulations.)
Legal Authority: 29 USC 655(b)

Legal Deadline: None

Statement of Need: Some parts of OSHA's standards are out of date, duplicative, unnecessary, or inconsistent. The Agency needs to periodically review its standards and make needed corrections. This effort results in standards that are easier for employers and employees to follow and comply with, and thus enhances compliance and worker protection.

Summary of the Legal Basis: The legal basis for the proposed rule is a preliminary finding that the OSHA standards need to be updated to bring them up to date, reduce inconsistency, and remove unneeded provisions.

Alternatives: OSHA has considered updating each standard as problems are discovered, but has determined that it is better to make such changes to groups of standards so it is easier for the public to comment on like standards. OSHA has also considered the inclusion of safety standards that need to be updated. However, the Agency has decided to pursue a separate rulemaking for safety issues because the standards to be updated are of interest to different stakeholders.

Anticipated Costs and Benefits: This revision of OSHA's standards is a deregulatory action. It will reduce employers' compliance obligations.

Risks: The project does not address specific risks, but is intended to improve OSHA's standards by bringing them up to date and deleting unneeded provisions. The anticipated changes will have no negative effects on worker safety and health.

Timetable:

Action	Date	FR Cite
NPRM	10/31/2002	67 FR 66493
NPRM Comment Period End	12/20/2002
NPRM Comment Period Extended	01/08/2003	68 FR 1023
Second NPRM Comment Period End	01/30/2003
Public Hearing	07/08/2003
Final Action	12/00/2004

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No	Government Levels Affected: None
Small Entities Affected: No	Federalism: No
Included in the Regulatory Plan: Yes
Agency Contact: Steven F. Witt Director, Directorate of Cooperative and State Programs Department of Labor 200 Constitution Avenue NW., Room N-3700, FP Building, Washington, DC 20210 Phone:202 693-2200 Fax:202 693-1671 Email: witt.steven@dol.gov