OSHA announced in the June 30Federal Registerthat it will hold two informal public hearings on the proposed rule for General Working Conditions in Shipyard Employment, according to an OSHA press release.

The first hearing is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. on Sept. 9, 2008, at the Department of Labor’s Frances Perkins Building in Washington, D.C. The second hearing will convene in Seattle, Wash., on Oct. 21, 2008, at 9:30 a.m. The location of the Seattle, Wash., hearing will appear in a later Federal Register notice, the release states.

“These hearings will provide a forum for interested stakeholders to discuss the proposed rule and ways to improve existing standards on working conditions for employees in shipyard employment,” said Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA Edwin G. Foulke, Jr. “We welcome all input as we continue our efforts to reduce and prevent safety and health hazards in this industry.”

According to the OSHA release, the proposed rule revises and updates the existing standards in subpart F of 29 CFR 1915 to address 14 general working conditions in shipyard employment including housekeeping, lighting, sanitation and the control of hazardous energy (lockout/tagout). The comment period for this rulemaking closed on March 19, 2008. Those who wish to testify at either hearing must notify OSHA in writing by July 18, 2008. Copies of full testimony and all documentary evidence must be provided to OSHA by August 8, 2008, for presentations longer than 10 minutes or containing documentary evidence, the release states.

To submit a notice of intention, use the Federal eRulemaking Portal, www.regulations.gov; fax (not to exceed 10 pages) the OSHA Docket Office at 202-693-1648; or mail it, via messenger or courier service, to the OSHA Docket Office, Docket No. OSHA-S049-2006-0675, U.S. Department of Labor, Frances Perkins Building, 200 Constitution Ave., N.W., Room N-2625, Washington, DC 20210; telephone 202-693-2350.