[Federal Register: November 29, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 228)] [Proposed Rules] [Page 66595] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr29no99-19] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Occupational Safety and Health Administration 29 CFR Part 1926 Steel Erection Negotiated Rulemaking Advisory Committee AGENCY: Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Labor. ACTION: Negotiated Rulemaking Advisory Committee meeting. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: Under the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), notice is hereby given of a meeting of the Steel Erection Negotiated Rulemaking Advisory Committee (SENRAC). Notice is also given of the location of the meeting. This meeting will be open to the public. DATES: The meeting is scheduled for December 16th, 1999. The meeting will begin at 8:00 a.m. on December 16th. ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the Hyatt Regency Washington-- 400 New Jersey Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. 20001; Telephone (202) 737- 1234. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Bonnie Friedman, Director, Office of Information and Consumer Affairs, OSHA, U.S. Department of Labor, Room N3647, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington DC 20210, (202) 693-1999. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On May 11, 1994, OSHA established the Steel Erection Negotiated Rulemaking Advisory Committee (SENRAC)(59 FR 24389) in accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), the Negotiated Rulemaking Act of 1990 (NRA) and section 7(b) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSH Act). OSHA appointed representatives from labor, industry, public interests and government agencies to the Committee. SENRAC began negotiations in mid June, 1994, and met eleven times over an 18-month period. On December 1, 1995, SENRAC agreed on a recommended regulatory text for a revised steel erection standard. In its Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), OSHA based its proposed regulatory text on the Committee's recommendations. In addition, the NPRM included a summary and explanation of the provisions, set out the legal tests that OSHA standards must meet and solicited public comments and evidence on the proposed rule. In addition, OSHA asked the public for comments and evidence on specific issues related to the Committee's recommendations. The Committee approved OSHA's NPRM on July 24, 1997. At that time, OSHA stated that it would consult with the Committee prior to the issuance of the final standard. OSHA's proposed rule for steel erection was published in the Federal Register on August 13, 1998. OSHA received 367 sets of comments in response to the notice. A public hearing was held from December 1, 1998, through December 11, 1998, in Washington, DC. Approximately 50 individuals/panels provided testimony on various topics in the proposed rule. Interest was expressed on a number of issues, including controlling contractors, fall protection, providing bolt holes in joists over 40', controlled decking zones, the scope of subpart R and slippery surfaces (both structural steel and decking). OSHA received 55 comments during the post-hearing comment period that ended April 12, 1999. Now, the Agency has completed an analysis of the record evidence and has developed a draft final steel erection standard. OSHA is convening this meeting for the purposes of consulting with the SENRAC Committee prior to the issuance of the final standard. All interested parties are invited to attend the Committee meeting at the time and place indicated above. No advanced registration is required. Seating will be available to the public on a first-come, first-served basis. Persons with disabilities who need special accommodations should contact the Facilitator by December 9, 1999. During the meeting members of the general public may informally request permission to address the Committee. After the meeting, minutes of the meeting and materials prepared for the Committee will be available for public inspection at the OSHA Docket Office, N-2625, 200 Constitution Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20210; telephone (202) 693-2350. Copies of these materials may be obtained by sending a written request to the Facilitator. The Facilitator, Philip J. Harter, can be reached at Suite 404, 2301 M Street, NW, Washington, DC 20037; telephone (202) 887-1033, FAX (202) 887-1036. Authority: This document was prepared under the direction of Charles N. Jeffress, Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20210, pursuant to section 3 of the Negotiated Rulemaking Act of 1990 (104 Stat. 4969, Title 5 U.S.C. 561 et seq.); and Section 7(b) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (84 Stat. 1597, Title 29 U.S.C. 656). Signed at Washington, DC, this 18th day of November, 1999. Charles N. Jeffress, Assistant Secretary of Labor. [FR Doc. 99-30822 Filed 11-26-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4510-26-P