OSHA has announced in a recent press release that it will extend the public comment period for 45 days on the agency’s Cranes and Derricks Proposed Rule. A notice on the extension will be published in the Federal Register soon. The proposal was originally published in the Oct. 9, 2008, Federal Register. The proposed rule addresses the key hazards associated with construction cranes and derricks.

OSHA is extending the comment period because of the length of the original Federal Register notice, the comprehensive nature of the proposed rule, and the number of requests for public comment contained within the Notice. The agency will be scheduling a public hearing shortly.

Public comments must be submitted no later than January 22, 2009, and may be sent electronically to www.regulations.gov, the Federal eRulemaking Portal. If submitting comments by regular mail, messenger, or courier service, send to them the OSHA Docket Office, Docket No. OSHA-2007-0066, U.S. Department of Labor, Room N-2625, 200 Constitution Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20210. Comments (10 pages or fewer) may be submitted via facsimile to 202-693-1648.