NOTICE OF PROPOSED CHANGES RELATING TO ALASKA OCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH REVIEW BOARD PROCEDURES; SAFETY AND HEALTH DISCRIMINATION REPORTING; AND WORKPLACE SAFETY AND HEALTH STANDARDS IN THE REGULATIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
BRIEF DESCRIPTION
The Department of Labor and Workforce Development proposes to change regulations relating to OSHA review board procedures; safety and health discrimination reporting; and workplace safety and health standards.
The Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development proposes to adopt regulation changes in Title 8 of the Alaska Administrative Code, dealing with occupational safety and health standards; safety and health discrimination reporting; and Alaska Occupational Safety and Health Review Board procedures, including the following:
(1) 8 AAC 61.165, 8 AAC 61.175, and 8 AAC 61.185 are proposed to be changed as follows: Amend to allow electronic delivery of information to the Alaska Occupational Safety and Health Review Board.
(2) 8 AAC 61.195 is proposed to be changed as follows: Amend to clarify procedure for the Alaska Occupational Safety and Health Review Board. Amend to allow electronic delivery of information to the Alaska Occupational Safety and Health Review Board and to update the mailing address of the Board.
(3) 8 AAC 61.205 is proposed to be changed as follows: Amend to update language to modern terms and to clarify procedure for Alaska Occupational Safety and Health Review Board.
(4) 8 AAC 61.500 is proposed to be changed as follows: Amend to remove a format requirement and redundant time limit for complaints of workplace safety and health complaint retaliation.
(5) 8 AAC 61.1010 is proposed to be changed as follows: Amend to add references to federal safety and health standards for crystalline silica in construction, confined space in construction, and cranes and derricks in construction.
(6) 8 AAC 61.1050 is proposed amended and 8 AAC 61.1050(a) is proposed to be repealed: Remove conflict with federal standards for confined space in construction, and clarify confined space procedures.
(7) 8 AAC 61.1100 is proposed to be changed as follows: Amend to incorporate new crystalline silica standards for general industry.
(8) 8 AAC 61.1110 is proposed to be changed as follows: Amend to update hazard communication terms to reflect industry standards.
(9) 8 AAC 61.1145 is proposed to be changed as follows: Amend to incorporate new crystalline silica standards for construction.
You may comment on the proposed regulation changes, including the potential costs to private persons of complying with the proposed changes, by submitting written comments to the Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Division of Labor Standards and Safety at P.O. Box 111149, Juneau, AK 99811-1149. Additionally, the Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Division of Labor Standards and Safety will accept comments by facsimile at (907) 465-6012 and by electronic mail at Deborah.Kelly@alaska.gov. Comments may also be submitted through the Alaska Online Public Notice System, by accessing this notice on the system and using the comment link. The comments must be received not later than 5:00 p.m. on July 14, 2017.
You may submit written questions relevant to the proposed action to the Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Division of Labor Standards and Safety at P.O. Box 11149, Juneau, AK 99811-1149 or by electronic mail at Deborah.Kelly@alaska.gov. The questions must be received at least 10 days before the end of the public comment period. The Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Division of Labor Standards and Safety will aggregate its response to substantially similar questions and make the questions and responses available on the Alaska Online Public Notice System and the Division of Labor Standards and Safety’s website.
If you are a person with a disability who needs a special accommodation in order to participate in this process, please contact Shannon Devon at (907) 465-6002 not later than June 30, 2017 to ensure that any necessary accommodations can be provided.
A copy of the proposed regulation changes is available on the Alaska Online Public Notice System. Material proposed for adoption by reference is available on OSHA’s website at https://www.osha.gov.
After the public comment period ends, the Department of Labor and Workforce Development will either adopt the proposed regulation changes or other provisions dealing with the same subject, without further notice, or decide to take no action. The language of the final regulation may be different from that of the proposed regulation. You should comment during the time allowed if your interests could be affected.
Statutory authority: AS 18.60.020; AS 18.60.030; AS 18.60.057; AS 18.60.075; AS 18.60.089; AS 18.60.093.
Statutes being implemented, interpreted, or made specific: AS 08.60.089; AS 18.60.093.
Fiscal information: The proposed regulation changes are not expected to require an increased appropriation.
Date: June 6, 2017
Heidi Drygas, Commissioner
Department of Labor and Workforce Development