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OSHA News Release
2006 - 03/03/2006 - OSHA Issues Final Rule on Roll-Over Protective Structures Standards |
OSHA News Release - Table of Contents |
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Trade News Release March 3, 2006 Contact: Frank Meilinger Phone: (202) 693-1999 OSHA Issues Final Rule on Roll-Over Protective Structures Standards
WASHINGTON -- The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued a direct final rule that regulates the testing of roll-over protective structures (ROPS) used to protect employees who operate wheel-type tractors. Announced in a Feb. 28, Federal Register notice, the rule reinstates the agency's original construction and agriculture standards that had been replaced a decade earlier with references to national consensus standards for testing of ROPS. The rule restores impact testing for protective frames on wheel-type tractors and an additional cold-temperature testing option under the construction standard. It also reinstates the exemption from field-upset testing option and an additional cold-temperature testing option in the agriculture standard. The final rule also contains minor plain language revisions that will improve comprehension and compliance with the standards. The standards were reinstated through the direct final rule approach, which saves regulatory resources over notice and comment rulemaking (when there is no opposition) by eliminating one stage in the rulemaking process. OSHA stated in a Dec. 29, 2005, Federal Register that if no significant adverse comments were received, the final rule would become effective on Feb. 27, 2006. OSHA received only one public comment on the direct final rule, which was determined not to be significantly adverse. The agency has since conducted a thorough evaluation of the original ROPS standards and those implemented under the 1996 technical amendment. OSHA reinstated the original ROPS standards for construction and agriculture after identifying several substantive differences between the national consensus standards and the original standards. Employers are responsible for providing a safe and healthful workplace for their employees. OSHA's role is to assure the safety and health of America's workers by setting and enforcing standards; providing training, outreach, and education; establishing partnerships; and encouraging continual process improvement in workplace safety and health. For more information, visit www.osha.gov. # # # U.S. Labor Department news releases are accessible on the Internet at www.dol.gov. The information in this release will be made available in alternative format upon request (large print, Braille, audio tape or disc) from the COAST office. Please specify which news release when placing your request. Call 202-693-7773 or TTY 202-693-7755. |
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