
[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 160 (Friday, August 17, 2012)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 49741-49749]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-20170]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Occupational Safety and Health Administration

29 CFR Part 1926

[Docket ID-OSHA-2007-0066]
RIN 1218-AC61


Cranes and Derricks in Construction: Demolition and Underground 
Construction

AGENCY: Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Labor.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.

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SUMMARY: On August 9, 2010, OSHA issued a final standard updating the 
requirements for cranes and derricks used in construction work. For 
most construction work, the final rule replaced a prior cranes and 
derricks standard. However, the prior standard continues to apply to 
demolition and underground construction work. Through this proposed 
rule, OSHA is proposing to apply the updated requirements to that work. 
With this proposed rule, OSHA also is proposing to correct inadvertent 
errors made to the demolition and underground construction standards 
when it issued the final rule for cranes and derricks in construction.

DATES: Submit comments to this proposed rule, including comments to the 
information-collection (paperwork) determination (described under the 
section titled AGENCY DETERMINATIONS), hearing requests, and other 
information by September 17, 2012. All submissions must bear a postmark 
or provide other evidence of the submission date.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments, hearing requests, and other material, 
identified by Docket No. OSHA-2007-0066, by any of the following 
methods:
    Electronically: Submit comments and attachments, as well as hearing 
requests and other information, electronically at http://www.regulations.gov, which is the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Follow 
the instructions online for submitting comments. Please note that this 
docket may include several different Federal Register notices involving 
active rulemakings, so selecting the correct notice or its ID number 
when submitting

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comments for this rulemaking is extremely important. After accessing 
the docket (OSHA-2007-0066), look for the name of this rulemaking 
(Cranes and Derricks in Construction: Demolition and Underground 
Construction) in the column labeled ``Title.''
    Facsimile: OSHA allows facsimile transmission of comments that are 
10 pages or fewer in length (including attachments). Fax these 
documents to the OSHA Docket Office at (202) 693-1648. OSHA does not 
require hard copies of these documents. Instead of transmitting 
facsimile copies of attachments that supplement these documents (e.g., 
studies, journal articles), commenters must submit these attachments to 
the OSHA Docket Office, Technical Data Center, Room N-2625, OSHA, U.S. 
Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Ave. NW., Washington, DC 20210. 
These attachments must clearly identify the sender's name, the date, 
subject, the title of the rulemaking (Cranes and Derricks in 
Construction: Demolition and Underground Construction) and the docket 
number (OSHA-2007-0066) so that the Docket Office can attach them to 
the appropriate document.
    Regular mail, express delivery, hand (courier) delivery, and 
messenger service: Submit comments and any additional material to the 
OSHA Docket Office, RIN No. 1218-AC61, Technical Data Center, Room N-
2625, OSHA, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Ave. NW., 
Washington, DC 20210; telephone: (202) 693-2350. (OSHA's TTY number is 
(877) 889-5627). Contact the OSHA Docket Office for information about 
security procedures concerning delivery of materials by express 
delivery, hand delivery, and messenger service. The Docket Office will 
accept deliveries (express delivery, hand delivery, messenger service) 
during the Docket Office's normal business hours, 8:15 a.m. to 4:45 
p.m., E.T.
    Instructions: All submissions must include the Agency's name, the 
title of the rulemaking (Cranes and Derricks in Construction: 
Demolition and Underground Construction), and the docket number (i.e., 
OSHA Docket No. OSHA-2007-0066). OSHA will place comments and other 
material, including any personal information, in the public docket 
without revision, and the comments and other material will be available 
online at http://www.regulations.gov. Therefore, OSHA cautions 
commenters about submitting statements they do not want made available 
to the public, or submitting comments that contain personal information 
(either about themselves or others) such as Social Security numbers, 
birth dates, and medical data.
    Docket: To read or download comments or other material in the 
docket, go to http://www.regulations.gov or to the OSHA Docket Office 
at the above address. The electronic docket for this proposed rule 
established at http://www.regulations.gov lists most of the documents 
in the docket. However, some information (e.g., copyrighted material) 
is not available publicly to read or download through this Web site. 
All submissions, including copyrighted material, are available for 
inspection at the OSHA Docket Office. Contact the OSHA Docket Office 
for assistance in locating docket submissions.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
    General information and press inquiries: Mr. Frank Meilinger, OSHA 
Office of Communications, Room N-3647, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 
Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20210; telephone: (202) 693-
1999.
    Technical inquiries: Mr. Garvin Branch, Directorate of 
Construction, Room N-3468, OSHA, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 
Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20210; telephone: (202) 693-
2020; fax: (202) 693-1689.
    Copies of this Federal Register notice and news releases: 
Electronic copies of these documents are available at OSHA's Web page 
at http://www.osha.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Table of Contents

I. Request for Comment
II. Direct Final Rulemaking
III. Discussion of Amendments
    A. Background
    B. Demolition Work
    C. Underground Construction
    D. Rationale for Extending Subpart CC to Demolition and 
Underground Construction
IV. Agency Determinations
    A. Final Economic Analysis and Final Regulatory Flexibility 
Analysis
    B. Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995
    C. Federalism
    D. State Plan States
    E. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
    F. Consultation and Coordination With Indian Tribal Governments
    G. Legal Considerations
List of Subjects in 29 CFR Part 1926
Authority and Signature
Amendments to Standards

I. Request for Comment

    OSHA requests comment on all issues related to the proposed rule, 
including economic, paperwork, or other regulatory impacts of this rule 
on the regulated community. If OSHA receives no significant adverse 
comment to either this proposal or the companion direct final rule, 
OSHA will publish a Federal Register document confirming the effective 
date of the direct final rule and withdrawing this companion proposed 
rule. Such confirmation may include minor stylistic or technical 
changes to the document. For the purpose of judicial review, OSHA 
considers the date of confirmation of the effective date of the direct 
final rule as the date of promulgation.

II. Direct Final Rulemaking

    In direct final rulemaking, an agency publishes a direct final rule 
in the Federal Register with a statement that the rule will become 
effective unless the agency receives significant adverse comment within 
a specified period. The agency may publish an identical proposed rule 
at the same time. If the agency receives no significant adverse comment 
in response to the direct final rule, the agency typically confirms the 
effective date of a direct final rule through a separate Federal 
Register notice. If the agency receives a significant adverse comment, 
the agency withdraws the direct final rule and treats such comment as a 
response to the proposed rule. An agency uses direct final rulemaking 
when it anticipates that a rule will not be controversial.
    OSHA is publishing a companion direct final rule along with this 
proposed rule in the ``Final Rules'' section of today's Federal 
Register. For purposes of this proposed rule and the companion direct 
final rule, a significant adverse comment is one that explains why the 
amendments to OSHA's underground construction and demolition standards 
would be inappropriate. In determining whether a comment necessitates 
withdrawal of the direct final rule, OSHA will consider whether the 
comment raises an issue serious enough to warrant a substantive 
response in a notice-and-comment process. OSHA will not consider a 
comment recommending an additional amendment to be a significant 
adverse comment unless the comment states why the direct final rule 
would be ineffective without the addition.
    The comment period for the direct final rule runs concurrently with 
that of this proposed rule. OSHA will treat comments received on the 
companion direct final rule as comments regarding the proposed rule. 
OSHA also will consider significant adverse comment submitted to this 
proposed rule as comment to the companion direct final rule. If OSHA 
receives a significant adverse comment on either the direct final rule 
or this proposed rule, it will publish a timely withdrawal of the

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companion direct final rule and proceed with this proposed rule. In the 
event OSHA withdraws the direct final rule because of significant 
adverse comment, OSHA will consider all timely comments received in 
response to the direct final rule when it continues with the proposed 
rule. After carefully considering all comments to the direct final rule 
and the proposal, OSHA will decide whether to publish a new final rule.
    OSHA determined that the subject of this rulemaking is suitable for 
direct final rulemaking. Under the final rule for cranes and derricks 
in construction, most construction work involving cranes and derricks 
falls under new subpart CC of 29 CFR 1926, but underground construction 
and demolition remain covered under the former rule (i.e., Sec.  
1926.550). These proposed amendments will result in the new subpart CC 
covering all construction operations, thereby improving worker safety 
because the new rule provides better protection to workers than the 
former rule. Moreover, these proposed amendments will facilitate 
employer compliance by having all construction operations involving 
cranes and derricks subject to a single rule rather than by having a 
few operations subject to a different rule. In addition, this proposed 
(and the direct final) rule corrects inadvertent errors made to the 
standards for underground construction and demolition when OSHA issued 
the final cranes rule. Therefore, OSHA does not expect objections from 
the public to this rulemaking action. Accordingly, the Agency believes 
the regulated community will welcome this effort to harmonize the 
requirements regulating crane and derrick operations in underground 
construction and demolition, and to remove errors that hinder 
interpretation and proper application of existing standards.

III. Discussion of Amendments

A. Background

    OSHA designed the final rule for cranes and derricks in 
construction, codified at 29 CFR part 1926, subpart CC, to replace the 
earlier rule (Sec.  1926.550) for all construction work.\1\ In 
proposing the new cranes and derricks rule, OSHA explained that the 
rule's purpose was ``to protect employees from the hazards associated 
with hoisting equipment when used to perform construction activities'' 
(73 FR 59714). Because OSHA developed the new rule to supplant the 
former rule entirely, OSHA proposed to remove and reserve Sec.  
1926.550 (73 FR 59915). When other OSHA construction standards referred 
to Sec.  1926.550 directly, or indirectly, as part of subpart N, OSHA 
proposed to amend those provisions to refer instead to the new 
requirements in subpart CC (73 FR 59914-15).
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    \1\ OSHA published the final rule at 75 FR 47906 (Aug. 9, 2010).
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    In the proposed rule for cranes and derricks in construction, OSHA 
inadvertently did not propose to amend three provisions that referred 
to subpart N and encompassed the requirements of Sec.  1926.550. These 
provisions included two provisions applicable to demolition work (Sec.  
1926.856(c) and Sec.  1926.858(b)), and one provision applicable to 
underground construction work (Sec.  1926.800(t)). When it issued the 
final rule, OSHA noted concerns about potentially inadequate notice to 
the public regarding any effort to amend these provisions in the final 
rule; consequently, OSHA decided not to amend these provisions in the 
final rule. OSHA instead stated that it would revisit the issue later 
(75 FR 47920-21).
    Having removed the requirements of Sec.  1926.550 in the final 
rule, OSHA had to reestablish the substance of the demolition and 
underground construction provisions in a new subpart DD in the final 
rule, redesignate Sec.  1926.550 as Sec.  1926.1501 of subpart DD, and 
amend the demolition and underground construction provisions that 
previously referred to subpart N to refer instead to the new subpart 
DD. OSHA provided in Sec.  1926.1500 of subpart DD that ``[t]his 
subpart applies in lieu of Sec.  1926 subpart CC.'' However, in making 
these revisions, OSHA inadvertently made changes to the demolition and 
underground construction provisions that modified the meaning of these 
provisions. In addition, the Code of Federal Regulations eliminated all 
of the subparagraphs of Sec.  1926.800(t), except for the introductory 
paragraph, because of a technical error in the draft regulatory 
language.
    This proposed rule, therefore, will accomplish two goals. First, it 
will bring all crane and derrick use in construction work under new 
subpart CC. Second, it will correct the errors in the final rule that 
substantively altered the demolition and underground construction 
provisions, and replace subparagraphs Sec.  1926.800(t)(1) through (4). 
Below, OSHA describes the amendments to the demolition and underground 
construction standards that OSHA made in the final rule for cranes and 
derricks in construction (including inadvertent errors), as well as the 
revisions and corrections to these standards that OSHA proposes.

B. Demolition Work

    Before OSHA issued the final rule for cranes and derricks in 
construction, Sec.  1926.856(c) stated, ``Mechanical equipment used 
shall meet the requirements specified in subparts N and O of this 
part,'' and Sec.  1926.858(b) read, ``Cranes, derricks, and other 
hoisting equipment used shall meet the requirements specified in 
subpart N of this part.'' In the final rule for cranes and derricks in 
construction, OSHA established a new subpart DD, redesignated the prior 
cranes and derricks rule (Sec.  1926.550) as Sec.  1926.1501 of subpart 
DD, and amended Sec.  1926.856(c) to require compliance with the new 
subpart DD, in addition to the remaining requirements of subparts N and 
O. OSHA also amended Sec.  1926.858(b) to require compliance with new 
subpart DD instead of subpart N.
    It was OSHA's expressed purpose not to make substantive revisions 
to the requirements of these two sections in the final rule.\2\ 
Nevertheless, OSHA made an inadvertent substantive change to Sec.  
1926.858(b).\3\ That section originally incorporated all requirements 
of subpart N for ``cranes, derricks, and other hoisting equipment,'' 
not just the requirements of subpart N's cranes and derricks standard 
at Sec.  1926.550. However, the final rule did not reference other 
requirements of subpart N that pertain to demolition work, which 
include the requirements of Sec.  1926.552 (Material hoists, personnel 
hoists, and elevators) and Sec.  1926.554 (Overhead hoists). As a 
result, the amendment had the effect of deleting the requirement for 
employers engaged in demolition work to comply with Sec. Sec.  1926.552 
and 1926.554. Therefore, to cover all construction work under subpart 
CC, and to correct these errors, OSHA is proposing to amend Sec. Sec.  
1926.856(c) and 1926.858(b) by replacing the requirements to comply 
with subpart DD with requirements to comply with subpart CC, and is 
proposing to amend Sec.  1926.858(b) by

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reinstating the requirement to comply with subpart N as well.
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    \2\ OSHA explained in the preamble to the final rule that the 
``redesignation of Sec.  1926.550 and the replacement of references 
[to subpart N] do not alter any of the substantive requirements of 
Sec. Sec.  1926.856(c) and 1926.858(b)'' (75 FR 47921).
    \3\ OSHA also inadvertently listed the heading of Sec.  1926.858 
as ``Removal of walls, floors and materials with equipment'' (the 
same heading as Sec.  1926.856), instead of ``Removal of steel 
construction,'' but this erroneous heading did not appear in the 
subsequent edition of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). 
Therefore, OSHA finds no need to address this error in this 
rulemaking.
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C. Underground Construction

    Section 1926.800(t) contains requirements for hoisting that are 
unique to underground construction. Before OSHA issued the final rule 
for cranes and derricks in construction, the previous version of Sec.  
1926.800(t) contained an introductory paragraph that cross-referenced 
other OSHA standards that apply to hoisting in underground 
construction; these cross-references consisted of the requirements of 
the prior cranes and derricks rule at Sec.  1926.550, including most of 
Sec.  1926.550(g) (the provision of the prior rule that applied to 
hoisting personnel), and requirements for material hoists, personnel 
hoists, and elevators at Sec.  1926.552(a) through (d). Previous Sec.  
1926.800(t) included one substantive modification to the requirements 
of prior Sec.  1926.550(g)(2): employers could use cranes to hoist 
employees for routine access to underground worksites via a shaft 
without showing that conventional means would be more hazardous, or not 
possible, for this purpose due to structural design or worksite 
conditions.\4\ When it issued the underground construction rule, OSHA 
included this modification because hoisting personnel for routine 
access to the underground worksites via a shaft occurs under more 
controlled, and less hazardous, conditions than hoisting personnel in 
general (54 FR 23824, 23845). Previous Sec.  1926.800(t)(1) through (4) 
contained additional requirements for hoisting unique to underground 
construction. Language at the beginning of the introductory paragraph 
of Sec.  1926.800(t), ``Except as modified by this paragraph (t),'' 
clarified that the requirements and exceptions in 1926.800(t)(1) 
through (4) take precedence over the cross-referenced requirements, 
including the former cranes standard under Sec.  1926.550.
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    \4\ Prior Sec.  1926.550(g)(2) required employers to show, 
before using cranes to hoist personnel to a worksite, that 
conventional means would be more hazardous than cranes, or not 
possible, due to structural design or worksite conditions.
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    In the final cranes rule, OSHA redesignated the prior cranes and 
derricks rule as Sec.  1926.1501 of subpart DD. It was OSHA's expressed 
purpose to preserve the existing crane requirements for underground 
construction by changing references in the introductory paragraph of 
Sec.  1926.800(t) from Sec.  1926.550 and Sec.  1926.500(g)(2) to Sec.  
1926.1501 and Sec.  1926.1501(g)(2), respectively. OSHA clarified this 
purpose in the preamble to the final rule by stating that the revisions 
to Sec.  1926.800(t) ``do not alter any of the substantive requirements 
of Sec.  1926.800(t)'' (75 FR 47920). However, OSHA inadvertently 
changed Sec.  1926.800(t) by amending the introductory paragraph to 
require employers engaged in underground construction to comply only 
with new Sec.  1926.1501(g) (which duplicated Sec.  1926.550(g)), 
instead of preserving the former routine-access exemption by requiring 
compliance with Sec.  1926.1501 in its entirety, and modifying the 
requirements of Sec.  1926.1501(g)(2) (which duplicated former Sec.  
1926.550(g)(2)).\5\ Additionally, OSHA inadvertently moved the language 
``Except as modified by paragraph (t)'' to the beginning of the second 
sentence of the introductory paragraph so that it no longer applied to 
the cross-referenced Sec.  1926.1501 requirements, but instead only 
applied to the cross-referenced requirements in Sec.  1926.552(a) 
through (d). Finally, although OSHA did not plan to alter any of the 
(then remaining) requirements and exemptions of Sec.  1926.800(t)(1) 
through (4), but only to amend the introductory paragraph, a technical 
error in the instructions to the Federal Register resulted in the 
deletion of subparagraphs Sec.  1926.800(t)(1) through (4). The 
deletion was not mentioned in the preamble to the final cranes rule.
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    \5\ OSHA stated in the final rule that it was including the 
reference to Sec.  1926.1501(g) to avoid any potential notice 
problem that may arise if OSHA substituted a reference to subpart CC 
in place of the prior reference to Sec.  1926.550(g) (75 FR 47920).
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    As amended by the final cranes rule, Sec.  1926.800(t) presents 
four problems. First, the prior version of Sec.  1926.800(t) 
incorporated all of Sec.  1926.550, not just Sec.  1926.550(g). 
However, the amended version of Sec.  1926.800(t) refers only to Sec.  
1926.1501(g), the successor to Sec.  1926.550(g). Therefore, as now 
written, Sec.  1926.800(t) does not explicitly require employers to 
comply with either the final cranes rule or the prior rule at Sec.  
1926.550, except for Sec.  1926.1501(g), the prior rule's provision on 
hoisting personnel. Second, the exception from Sec.  1926.550(g)(2), 
specified in the former version of Sec.  1926.800(t), provided that 
employers could use cranes to hoist personnel for routine access to 
underground worksites via a shaft without showing that other means of 
access are more hazardous or impossible. OSHA did not include this 
exception in the new version of Sec.  1926.800(t). This inadvertent 
error places an additional and unnecessary burden on employers that use 
cranes for this purpose. Third, moving the text ``Except as modified by 
paragraph (t)'' to the beginning of the second sentence of the 
introductory paragraph of Sec.  1926.800(t) results in ambiguity as to 
the relationship between incorporated crane requirements and the 
provisions in Sec.  1926.800(t)(1) through (4). Finally, the 
inadvertent elimination of Sec.  1926.800(t)(1) through (4) from the 
Code of Federal Regulations resulted in eliminating requirements that 
OSHA adopted in a 1989 rulemaking (54 FR 23843) to ensure that 
employees engaged in underground construction receive adequate 
protection from hazards unique to hoisting in this setting.
    In this proposed rule, OSHA is proposing to amend Sec.  1926.800(t) 
to extend subpart CC to underground construction, and to resolve the 
technical errors set forth in this section. OSHA is proposing to amend 
the introductory paragraph of Sec.  1926.800(t) to restore the 
provision allowing employers to use cranes to hoist personnel for 
routine access to the underground worksites via a shaft without the 
need to show that conventional means of access are more hazardous or 
impossible for this purpose. This amendment excepts routine access of 
employees to an underground worksite via a shaft from the requirements 
of Sec.  1926.1431(a). The requirements of Sec.  1926.1431(a) are 
virtually identical to the requirements of Sec.  1926.550(g)(2). In 
addition, OSHA is proposing to amend Sec.  1926.800(t) by restoring the 
clause ``Except as modified by this paragraph (t)'' to the beginning of 
the introductory paragraph, and restoring Sec.  1926.800(t)(1) through 
(4). OSHA is also proposing to revise the language in the introductory 
paragraph for clarity, and is proposing to correct three minor 
grammatical errors that appeared in the text of paragraphs Sec.  
1926.800(t)(3)(vi), (t)(4)(iii), and (t)(4)(iv), as previously 
published in the Code of Federal Regulations.

D. Rationale for Extending Subpart CC to Demolition and Underground 
Construction

    The revisions made by this proposed rule will enable OSHA to cover 
all cranes and derricks used in construction under subpart CC. These 
revisions implement the original purpose of the rule and will benefit 
both employees and employers. These revisions would ensure that the 
significant benefits of subpart CC, which include saving 22 lives per 
year and preventing 175 non-fatal injuries per year compared to prior 
Sec.  1926.550 (75 FR 48079), extend to demolition and underground 
construction. Accordingly, applying subpart CC to demolition and

[[Page 49745]]

underground construction will ensure that construction workers in those 
sectors receive the same safety protections from new subpart CC as 
other construction workers.
    The revisions also will benefit construction contractors that 
engage in underground construction or demolition work, in addition to 
other types of construction work, because these contractors will now be 
subject to a single standard rather than having some of their 
activities covered under subpart CC and other work covered by subpart 
DD. This action will avoid the confusion that would result if new 
subpart CC covers part of a project and revised Sec.  1926.800(t) 
covers another part of the project. For example, in a cut-and-cover 
tunneling project, the underground construction standard applies only 
after covering the excavation in such a manner as to establish 
conditions characteristic of underground construction. 29 CFR 
1926.800(a). Therefore, under the current requirements, subpart CC 
would apply to the work while the excavation is open, but after 
covering the excavation, subpart DD would apply, thereby resulting in 
the same crane or derrick being subject to different standards during 
different phases of the project. Finally, this action will facilitate 
employer compliance because demolition and underground construction 
contractors will no longer be subject to the outdated requirements in 
prior Sec.  1926.550, which relied heavily on pre-1970 consensus 
standards.

IV. Agency Determinations

A. Final Economic Analysis and Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis

    When it issued the final cranes rule, OSHA prepared a final 
economic analysis (FEA) as required by the Occupational Safety and 
Health Act of 1970 (OSH Act; 29 U.S.C. 651 et seq.) and Executive Order 
12866 (58 FR 51735). OSHA also published a Final Regulatory Flexibility 
Analysis (FRFA) as required by the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 
601-612). OSHA's approach to estimating costs and economic impacts in 
these analyses began by estimating, for all construction sectors, the 
total number of cranes and whether they were owned and rented; owned 
without rental; or leased. As a result, both analyses covered all 
cranes engaged in construction activities, including cranes engaged in 
underground construction and cranes engaged in construction work 
involving demolition. The FEA for the final cranes standard, which 
included all cranes, crane operations, and industry sectors subject to 
this proposed rule, found that the requirements of the rule were 
technologically and economically feasible.
    Because the FEA drew these conclusions from calculations 
encompassing all of the underground construction and demolition crane 
operations covered by this proposed rule, the conclusions in the 
earlier FEA are valid for this proposed rule. The reference to the FEA 
for the final cranes rule, therefore, establishes that this proposed 
rule is technologically and economically feasible, addresses 
significant risks, and reduces those risks significantly. The FEA, 
which OMB reviewed, meets the requirements of Executive Orders 12866 
and Executive Order 13563 with respect to the operations covered by 
this proposed rule; OSHA included these operations in the FEA for the 
final cranes standard. Therefore, OSHA believes that this proposed rule 
also complies with Executive Orders 12866 and Executive Order 13563.
    To determine if this proposed rule has annual costs of greater than 
$100 million, or would have a significant economic impact on a 
substantial number of small firms, OSHA examined the sectors most 
affected by this proposed rule. This proposed rule affects two 
construction sectors: NAICS 237990 (Other Heavy and Civil Engineering 
Construction), which includes all establishments engaged in underground 
construction, and NAICS 238910 (Site Preparation Contractors), which 
includes all establishments engaged in demolition. This analysis, 
therefore, reviews the results for these two sectors reported in the 
final crane standard's FEA, which the Federal Register published on 
August 9, 2010.
    That FEA simply considered all cranes and crane operations in these 
sectors, and did not analyze separately those operations involving 
underground construction or demolitions because OSHA planned to apply 
subpart CC to these operations. OSHA will report here the results for 
these entire sectors, which will inevitably involve greater costs and 
impacts than for the activities addressed in this proposed rule because 
both sectors have many cranes and crane jobs that do not involve 
underground construction or demolition activities. Table B-9 of the FEA 
showed that NAICS 237990, which includes all crane operations involved 
in underground construction operations, had annualized compliance costs 
of $1,903,569 for firms that own and rent cranes, $205,532 for firms 
that own but do not rent cranes, and $1,151,759 for firms that lease 
cranes, for total annualized costs of $3,260,860 (75 FR 48102-48105). 
Table B-9 also showed that NAICS 238910, which contains all crane 
operations involving demolitions, had annualized compliance costs of 
$1,232,974 for firms that own and rent cranes, $292,601 for firms that 
own but do not rent cranes, and $1,626,463 for firms that lease cranes, 
for total annualized compliance costs of $3,152,038. The total 
annualized compliance costs for both sectors are $6,412,898. Because 
these two NAICS sectors include operations not involved in underground 
construction or demolition, the total estimated annualized compliance 
costs of $6,412,898 for these two sectors will be greater than the 
actual costs of this proposed rule. Based on these costs, OSHA 
concludes that this proposed rule is not a significant rule under 
either E.O. 12866 or the Unfunded Mandates Act.
    With respect to technological feasibility, the earlier FEA, which 
included consideration of both underground construction and demolition 
operations, noted:

    In accordance with the OSH Act, OSHA is required to demonstrate 
that occupational safety and health standards promulgated by the 
Agency are technologically feasible. Accordingly, OSHA reviewed the 
requirements that would be imposed by the final regulation, and 
assessed their technological feasibility. As a result of this 
review, OSHA has determined that compliance with the requirements of 
the final standard is technologically feasible for all affected 
industries. The standard would require employers to perform crane 
inspections, utilize qualified or certified crane operators, address 
ground conditions, maintain safe distances from power lines using 
the encroachment prevention precautions, and to fulfill other 
obligations under the standard. Compliance with all of these 
requirements can be achieved with readily and widely available 
technologies. Some businesses in the affected industries already 
implement the requirements of the standard to varying degrees (some 
states have requirements), as noted during the SBREFA Panel. OSHA 
believes that there are no technological constraints in complying 
with any of the proposed requirements, and received no comments that 
suggested that these standards were technologically infeasible.

(75 FR 48095).

    In Table B-12 of the FEA for the final cranes rule, OSHA examined 
the costs as a percentage of revenues and as a percentage of profits in 
these two sectors. This table shows that, for both sectors, the 
greatest potential impacts were on establishments that own and rent 
cranes with operators. This table showed that for NAICS 237990, which

[[Page 49746]]

includes all underground construction operations, costs were 0.18 
percent (less than 1 percent) of revenues and 3.54 percent of profits. 
This table also showed that for NAICS 238910, including all demolition 
operations involving cranes, costs were 0.18 percent of revenues and 
4.05 percent of profits. (Table B-12 and the FEA as a whole provide the 
full calculations and derivations.) The FEA from the final cranes 
standard stated:

    The Agency concludes that the final standard is economically 
feasible for the affected industries. As described above, a standard 
is economically feasible if there is a reasonable likelihood that 
the estimated costs of compliance ``will not threaten the existence 
or competitive structure of an industry, even if it does portend 
disaster for some marginal firms.'' United Steelworkers of America 
v. Marshall, 647 F.2d 1189, 1272 (D.C. Cir. 1980). The potential 
impacts on employer costs associated with achieving compliance with 
the final standard fall well within the bounds of economic 
feasibility in each industry sector. Costs of 0.2 percent of 
revenues and 4 percent of profits will not threaten the existence of 
the construction industry, affected general industry sectors, or the 
use of cranes in affected industry sectors. OSHA does not expect 
compliance with the requirements of the final standard to threaten 
the viability of employers or the competitive structure of any of 
the affected industry sectors. When viewed in the larger context of 
the construction sector, an increase in costs of $148.2 million a 
year is effectively negligible, and will have no noticeable effect 
on the demand for construction services. Even when viewed as an 
increase in the costs of using cranes, an increase in the cost of 
rentals services of 0.2 percent will not cause the construction 
industry to forego the use of cranes and, thus, put crane leasing 
firms out of business.

(75 FR 48112). Because the earlier FEA drew this conclusion with 
respect to costs that included the costs of this proposed rule, as well 
as other costs that made the impacts greater than those of this 
proposed rule, OSHA concludes that the FEA for the cranes and derricks 
final rule demonstrates that this proposed rule is economically 
feasible.

    Tables B-14 and B-15 of the FEA for the cranes and derricks final 
rule examined the costs as a percentage of revenues and as a percentage 
of profits in these two sectors for small firms as defined by SBA, and 
very small entities with less than 20 employees, respectively. Because 
so many firms owning cranes are small, there is no appreciable 
difference between the impacts on small and very small firms versus the 
impacts for all firms already discussed. Comparison of the two tables 
shows that, for NAICS 237990, the impacts for very small firms were 
equal to or greater than those for small firms. Table B-15 shows that, 
for NAICS 237990, costs were 0.18 percent of revenues and 3.54 percent 
of profits. This table also shows that, for NAICS 238910, including all 
demolition operations involving cranes, there were no very small 
entities that owned and rented cranes, with the result that the 
greatest impacts are for small entities that own and rent crane where 
costs are 0.18 percent of revenues and 4.05 percent of profits.
    In its regulatory flexibility analysis, OSHA generally defines a 
significant economic impact on small entities as one with costs in 
excess of one percent of revenues or five percent of profits. The 
possible costs of this proposed rule clearly are well below these 
thresholds. OSHA, therefore, certifies that this proposed rule will not 
have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small 
entities.

B. Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995

    When OSHA issued the final rule on August 9, 2010, it submitted an 
Information Collection Request (ICR) to the Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) titled Cranes and Derricks in Construction (29 CFR Part 
1926, Subpart CC). This ICR \6\ covered all establishments in the 
construction industry, including all of the establishments in NAICS 
237990 and NAICS 238910. On November 1, 2010, OMB approved the ICR 
under OMB control number 1218-0261, with an expiration date of November 
30, 2013. Subsequently, in December 2010, OSHA discontinued the Cranes 
and Derricks Standard for Construction (29 CFR 1926.550) ICR (OMB 
Control Number 1218-0113) because the new ICR superseded the existing 
ICR. In addition, OSHA retitled the new ICR to Cranes and Derricks in 
Construction (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart CC and Subpart DD).\7\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \6\ The ICR is part of Exhibit 0425 in the docket for the final 
rule on cranes and derricks in construction (OSHA-2007-0066). It is 
available at www.regulations.gov and at www.reginfo.gov (OMB Control 
Number 1218-0261).
    \7\ The request and OMB approval for discontinuing the previous 
Cranes and Derricks in Construction ICR (OMB Control Number 1218-
0113) and the retitling of the ICR are available at www.reginfo.gov.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    This proposed rule requires no additional collection of 
information.\8\ OMB's approval of OSHA's ICR under Control Number 1218-
0261 already covers all collections of information required by this 
proposed rule, and OSHA does not believe it is necessary to submit a 
new ICR to OMB seeking to collect additional information under this 
proposed rule.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \8\ Although the final rule for cranes and derricks in 
construction did not require employers covered by subpart DD to meet 
the information-exchange requirements of subpart CC, OSHA did not 
subtract these employers from its analysis of the burden and costs 
for these requirements in the paperwork analysis for subpart CC. 
Therefore, this approach inflated the burden and costs estimates of 
the ICR approved by OMB for subpart CC; however, the burden and 
costs estimates are accurate now that OSHA is applying subpart CC to 
underground construction and demolition work.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Interested parties who comment on OSHA's determination that this 
proposal contains no additional paperwork requirements must send their 
written comments to the Office of Management and Budget, Attn: OMB Desk 
Officer for OSHA, Room 10235, 726 Jackson Place, NW., Washington, DC 
20503. OSHA also encourages commenters to submit their comments on this 
paperwork determination to it, along with their other comments on the 
proposed rule.
    OSHA notes that a Federal agency cannot conduct or sponsor a 
collection of information unless OMB approves it under the Paperwork 
Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), and the agency displays 
a currently valid OMB control number. The public need not respond to a 
collection of information requirement unless the agency displays a 
currently valid OMB control number, and, notwithstanding any other 
provision of law, no person shall be subject to a penalty for failing 
to comply with a collection of information requirement if the 
requirement does not display a currently valid OMB control number.

C. Federalism

    OSHA reviewed this proposed rule in accordance with the Executive 
Order on Federalism (Executive Order 13132, 64 FR 43255, August 10, 
1999), which requires that Federal agencies, to the extent possible, 
refrain from limiting state policy options, consult with states prior 
to taking any actions that would restrict state policy options, and 
take such actions only when clear constitutional authority exists and 
the problem is national in scope. Executive Order 13132 provides for 
preemption of state law only with the expressed consent of Congress. 
Federal agencies must limit any such preemption to the extent possible.
    Under Section 18 of the OSH Act, Congress expressly provides that 
states may adopt, with Federal approval, a plan for the development and 
enforcement of occupational safety and health standards. States that 
obtain Federal approval for such a plan are referred to as ``State Plan 
States.'' Occupational safety and health

[[Page 49747]]

standards developed by State Plan States must be at least as effective 
in providing safe and healthful employment and places of employment as 
the Federal standards. 29 U.S.C. 667. Subject to these requirements, 
State Plan States are free to develop and enforce under state law their 
own requirements for safety and health standards.
    OSHA previously concluded from its analysis that promulgation of 
subpart CC complies with Executive Order 13132. 75 FR 48128-29. That 
analysis applies to the extension of subpart CC to establishments 
engaged in demolition work and underground construction; therefore, 
this proposed rule complies with Executive Order 13132. In states 
without an OSHA-approved State Plan, any standard developed from this 
proposed rule would limit state policy options in the same manner as 
every standard promulgated by OSHA. In states with OSHA-approved State 
Plans, this rulemaking does not significantly limit state policy 
options.

D. State Plan States

    When Federal OSHA promulgates a new standard or more stringent 
amendment to an existing standard, State Plan States must amend their 
standards to reflect the new standard or amendment, or show OSHA why 
such action is unnecessary, e.g., because an existing state standard 
covering this area is ``at least as effective'' as the new Federal 
standard or amendment. 29 CFR 1953.5(a). The state standard must be at 
least as effective as the final Federal rule. State Plan States must 
adopt the Federal standard or complete their own standard within six 
months of the promulgation date of the final Federal rule. When OSHA 
promulgates a new standard or amendment that does not impose additional 
or more stringent requirements than an existing standard, State Plan 
States are not required to amend their standards, although OSHA may 
encourage them to do so. The 27 states and U.S. territories with OSHA-
approved occupational safety and health plans are: Alaska, Arizona, 
California, Hawaii, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, 
Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oregon, Puerto Rico, 
South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, and 
Wyoming; Connecticut, Illinois, New Jersey, New York, and the Virgin 
Islands have OSHA-approved State Plans that apply to state and local 
government employees only.
    The amendments in this proposed rule will result in more stringent 
requirements for cranes and derricks used in demolition and underground 
construction work. Therefore, when OSHA promulgates a new final rule, 
states and territories with approved State Plans must adopt comparable 
amendments to their standards for cranes and derricks used in 
demolition and underground construction within six months of OSHA's 
promulgation of the final rule (i.e., the date OSHA publishes 
confirmation of the effective date) unless they demonstrate that such a 
change is not necessary because their existing standards are already 
the same, or at least as effective, as OSHA's new final rule.

E. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act

    When OSHA issued the final rule for cranes and derricks in 
construction, it reviewed the rule according to the Unfunded Mandates 
Reform Act of 1995 (UMRA; 2 U.S.C. 1501 et seq. (58 FR 58093)), and 
Executive Order 12875 (75 FR 48130). OSHA concluded that the final rule 
did not meet the definition of a ``Federal intergovernmental mandate'' 
under the UMRA because OSHA standards do not apply to state or local 
governments except in states that have voluntarily adopted State Plans. 
OSHA further noted that the rule imposed costs of over $100 million per 
year on the private sector and, therefore, required review under the 
UMRA for those costs, but that its final economic analysis met that 
requirement.
    As discussed above in Section IV.A (Final Economic Analysis and 
Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis) of this preamble, this proposed 
rule does not impose any costs on private-sector employers beyond those 
costs already taken into account in the final rule for cranes and 
derricks in construction. Because OSHA reviewed the total costs of this 
final rule under the UMRA, no further review of those costs is 
necessary. Therefore, for the purposes of the UMRA, OSHA certifies that 
this proposed rule does not mandate that state, local, or tribal 
governments adopt new, unfunded regulatory obligations, or increase 
expenditures by the private sector of more than $100 million in any 
year.

F. Consultation and Coordination With Indian Tribal Governments

    OSHA reviewed this proposed rule in accordance with Executive Order 
13175 (65 FR 67249) and determined that it does not have ``tribal 
implications'' as defined in that order. As proposed, the rule does not 
have substantial direct effects on one or more Indian tribes, on the 
relationship between the Federal government and Indian tribes, or on 
the distribution of power and responsibilities between the Federal 
government and Indian tribes.

G. Legal Considerations

    The purpose of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (29 
U.S.C. 651 et seq.) is ``to assure so far as possible every working man 
and woman in the nation safe and healthful working conditions and to 
preserve our human resources.'' 29 U.S.C. 651(b). To achieve this goal, 
Congress authorized the Secretary of Labor to promulgate and enforce 
occupational safety and health standards. 29 U.S.C. 654(b), 655(b). A 
safety or health standard is a standard ``which requires conditions, or 
the adoption or use of one or more practices, means, methods, 
operations, or processes, reasonably necessary or appropriate to 
provide safe or healthful employment or places of employment.'' 29 
U.S.C. 652(8). A standard is reasonably necessary or appropriate within 
the meaning of Section 652(8) when a significant risk of material harm 
exists in the workplace and the standard would substantially reduce or 
eliminate that workplace risk. See Industrial Union Department, AFL-CIO 
v. American Petroleum Institute, 448 U.S. 607 (1980). In the cranes and 
derricks final rule, OSHA made such a determination with respect to the 
use of cranes and derricks in construction at the same time that it 
noted that the Agency would apply subpart CC to the activities 
addressed in this proposed rule (75 FR 47913, 47920-21).
    This proposed rule will not reduce the employee protections put 
into place by the standard OSHA is updating under this rulemaking. 
Instead, this rulemaking likely will enhance employee safety by 
ensuring that the construction workers involved in demolition and 
underground construction receive the same safety protections from 
recently published subpart CC as other construction workers. The 
revisions also will benefit construction contractors that engage in 
underground construction or demolition work in addition to other types 
of construction work, because these contractors will now be subject to 
a single standard rather than having some of their construction work 
under subpart CC, and other work covered by existing subpart DD. This 
action, therefore, will clarify employer obligations by avoiding the 
confusion that would result if subpart CC covers part of a project and 
existing subpart DD covers another part of the project. Accordingly, it 
is unnecessary to make a separate determination of significant risk, or 
the extent to which this rule would reduce that risk, as typically

[[Page 49748]]

required by Industrial Union Department.

List of Subjects in 29 CFR Part 1926

    Construction industry, Demolition, Occupational safety and health, 
Safety, Underground construction.

Authority and Signature

    David Michaels, Ph.D., MPH, Assistant Secretary of Labor for 
Occupational Safety and Health, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 
Constitution Ave. NW., Washington, DC 20210, authorized the preparation 
of this notice. OSHA is issuing this proposed rule under the following 
authorities: 29 U.S.C. 653, 655, 657; 40 U.S.C. 3701 et seq.; 5 U.S.C. 
553; Secretary of Labor's Order No. 1-2012 (77 FR 3912, Jan. 25, 2012); 
and 29 CFR part 1911.

    Signed at Washington, DC, on August 8, 2012.
David Michaels,
Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health.

Amendments to Standards

    For the reasons stated in the preamble of this proposed rule, OSHA 
proposes to amend 29 CFR part 1926 as follows:

PART 1926--[AMENDED]

Subpart S--Underground Construction, Caissons, Cofferdams, and 
Compressed Air

    1. Revise the authority citation for subpart S of 29 CFR part 1926 
to read as follows:

    Authority: 40 U.S.C. 3701; 29 U.S.C. 653, 655, 657; and 
Secretary of Labor's Orders 12-71 (36 FR 8754), 8-76 (41 FR 25059), 
9-83 (48 FR 35736), 1-90 (55 FR 9033), 6-96 (62 FR 111), 5-2007 (72 
FR 31159), or 1-2012 (77 FR 3912), as applicable.

    2. Amend Sec.  1926.800 by revising paragraph (t) to read as 
follows:


Sec.  1926.800  Underground construction.

* * * * *
    (t) Hoisting unique to underground construction. Except as modified 
by this paragraph (t), employers must: comply with the requirements of 
subpart CC of this part, except that the limitation in Sec.  
1926.1431(a) does not apply to the routine access of employees to an 
underground worksite via a shaft; ensure that material hoists comply 
with Sec.  1926.552(a) and (b) of this part; and ensure that personnel 
hoists comply with the personnel-hoists requirements of Sec.  
1926.552(a) and (c) of this part and the elevator requirements of Sec.  
1926.552(a) and (d) of this part.
    (1) General requirements for cranes and hoists. (i) Materials, 
tools, and supplies being raised or lowered, whether within a cage or 
otherwise, shall be secured or stacked in a manner to prevent the load 
from shifting, snagging or falling into the shaft.
    (ii) A warning light suitably located to warn employees at the 
shaft bottom and subsurface shaft entrances shall flash whenever a load 
is above the shaft bottom or subsurface entrances, or the load is being 
moved in the shaft. This paragraph does not apply to fully enclosed 
hoistways.
    (iii) Whenever a hoistway is not fully enclosed and employees are 
at the shaft bottom, conveyances or equipment shall be stopped at least 
15 feet (4.57 m) above the bottom of the shaft and held there until the 
signalman at the bottom of the shaft directs the operator to continue 
lowering the load, except that the load may be lowered without stopping 
if the load or conveyance is within full view of a bottom signalman who 
is in constant voice communication with the operator.
    (iv)(A) Before maintenance, repairs, or other work is commenced in 
the shaft served by a cage, skip, or bucket, the operator and other 
employees in the area shall be informed and given suitable 
instructions.
    (B) A sign warning that work is being done in the shaft shall be 
installed at the shaft collar, at the operator's station, and at each 
underground landing.
    (v) Any connection between the hoisting rope and the cage or skip 
shall be compatible with the type of wire rope used for hoisting.
    (vi) Spin-type connections, where used, shall be maintained in a 
clean condition and protected from foreign matter that could affect 
their operation.
    (vii) Cage, skip, and load connections to the hoist rope shall be 
made so that the force of the hoist pull, vibration, misalignment, 
release of lift force, or impact will not disengage the connection. 
Moused or latched open-throat hooks do not meet this requirement.
    (viii) When using wire rope wedge sockets, means shall be provided 
to prevent wedge escapement and to ensure that the wedge is properly 
seated.
    (2) Additional requirements for cranes. Cranes shall be equipped 
with a limit switch to prevent overtravel at the boom tip. Limit 
switches are to be used only to limit travel of loads when operational 
controls malfunction and shall not be used as a substitute for other 
operational controls.
    (3) Additional requirements for hoists. (i) Hoists shall be 
designed so that the load hoist drum is powered in both directions of 
rotation, and so that brakes are automatically applied upon power 
release or failure.
    (ii) Control levers shall be of the ``deadman type'' which return 
automatically to their center (neutral) position upon release.
    (iii) When a hoist is used for both personnel hoisting and material 
hoisting, load and speed ratings for personnel and for materials shall 
be assigned to the equipment.
    (iv) Material hoisting may be performed at speeds higher than the 
rated speed for personnel hoisting if the hoist and components have 
been designed for such higher speeds and if shaft conditions permit.
    (v) Employees shall not ride on top of any cage, skip or bucket 
except when necessary to perform inspection or maintenance of the 
hoisting system, in which case they shall be protected by a body belt/
harness system to prevent falling.
    (vi) Personnel and materials (other than small tools and supplies 
secured in a manner that will not create a hazard to employees) shall 
not be hoisted together in the same conveyance. However, if the 
operator is protected from the shifting of materials, then the operator 
may ride with materials in cages or skips which are designed to be 
controlled by an operator within the cage or skip.
    (vii) Line speed shall not exceed the design limitations of the 
systems.
    (viii) Hoists shall be equipped with landing level indicators at 
the operator's station. Marking the hoist rope does not satisfy this 
requirement.
    (ix) Whenever glazing is used in the hoist house, it shall be 
safety glass, or its equivalent, and be free of distortions and 
obstructions.
    (x) A fire extinguisher that is rated at least 2A:10B:C (multi-
purpose, dry chemical) shall be mounted in each hoist house.
    (xi) Hoist controls shall be arranged so that the operator can 
perform all operating cycle functions and reach the emergency power 
cutoff without having to reach beyond the operator's normal operating 
position.
    (xii) Hoists shall be equipped with limit switches to prevent 
overtravel at the top and bottom of the hoistway.
    (xiii) Limit switches are to be used only to limit travel of loads 
when operational controls malfunction and shall not be used as a 
substitute for other operational controls.
    (xiv) Hoist operators shall be provided with a closed-circuit voice 
communication system to each landing station, with speaker microphones 
so located that the operator can

[[Page 49749]]

communicate with individual landing stations during hoist use.
    (xv) When sinking shafts 75 feet (22.86 m) or less in depth, cages, 
skips, and buckets that may swing, bump, or snag against shaft sides or 
other structural protrusions shall be guided by fenders, rails, ropes, 
or a combination of those means.
    (xvi) When sinking shafts more than 75 feet (22.86 m) in depth, all 
cages, skips, and buckets shall be rope or rail guided to within a rail 
length from the sinking operation.
    (xvii) Cages, skips, and buckets in all completed shafts, or in all 
shafts being used as completed shafts, shall be rope or rail-guided for 
the full length of their travel.
    (xviii) Wire rope used in load lines of material hoists shall be 
capable of supporting, without failure, at least five times the maximum 
intended load or the factor recommended by the rope manufacturer, 
whichever is greater. Refer to Sec.  1926.552(c)(14)(iii) of this part 
for design factors for wire rope used in personnel hoists. The design 
factor shall be calculated by dividing the breaking strength of wire 
rope, as reported in the manufacturer's rating tables, by the total 
static load, including the weight of the wire rope in the shaft when 
fully extended.
    (xix) A competent person shall visually check all hoisting 
machinery, equipment, anchorages, and hoisting rope at the beginning of 
each shift and during hoist use, as necessary.
    (xx) Each safety device shall be checked by a competent person at 
least weekly during hoist use to ensure suitable operation and safe 
condition.
    (xxi) In order to ensure suitable operation and safe condition of 
all functions and safety devices, each hoist assembly shall be 
inspected and load-tested to 100 percent of its rated capacity: at the 
time of installation; after any repairs or alterations affecting its 
structural integrity; after the operation of any safety device; and 
annually when in use. The employer shall prepare a certification record 
which includes the date each inspection and load-test was performed; 
the signature of the person who performed the inspection and test; and 
a serial number or other identifier for the hoist that was inspected 
and tested. The most recent certification record shall be maintained on 
file until completion of the project.
    (xxii) Before hoisting personnel or material, the operator shall 
perform a test run of any cage or skip whenever it has been out of 
service for one complete shift, and whenever the assembly or components 
have been repaired or adjusted.
    (xxiii) Unsafe conditions shall be corrected before using the 
equipment.
    (4) Additional requirements for personnel hoists. (i) Hoist drum 
systems shall be equipped with at least two means of stopping the load, 
each of which shall be capable of stopping and holding 150 percent of 
the hoist's rated line pull. A broken-rope safety, safety catch, or 
arrestment device is not a permissible means of stopping under this 
paragraph.
    (ii) The operator shall remain within sight and sound of the 
signals at the operator's station.
    (iii) All sides of personnel cages shall be enclosed by one-half 
inch (12.70 mm) wire mesh (not less than No. 14 gauge or equivalent) to 
a height of not less than 6 feet (1.83 m). However, when the cage or 
skip is being used as a work platform, its sides may be reduced in 
height to 42 inches (1.07 m) when the conveyance is not in motion.
    (iv) All personnel cages shall be provided with a positive locking 
door that does not open outward.
    (v) All personnel cages shall be provided with a protective canopy. 
The canopy shall be made of steel plate, at least \3/16\-inch (4.763 
mm) in thickness, or material of equivalent strength and impact 
resistance. The canopy shall be sloped to the outside, and so designed 
that a section may be readily pushed upward to afford emergency egress. 
The canopy shall cover the top in such a manner as to protect those 
inside from objects falling in the shaft.
    (vi) Personnel platforms operating on guide rails or guide ropes 
shall be equipped with broken-rope safety devices, safety catches or 
arrestment devices that will stop and hold 150 percent of the weight of 
the personnel platform and its maximum rated load.
    (vii) During sinking operations in shafts where guides and safeties 
are not yet used, the travel speed of the personnel platform shall not 
exceed 200 feet (60.96 m) per minute. Governor controls set for 200 
feet (60.96 m) per minute shall be installed in the control system and 
shall be used during personnel hoisting.
    (viii) The personnel platform may travel over the controlled length 
of the hoistway at rated speeds up to 600 feet (182.88 m) per minute 
during sinking operations in shafts where guides and safeties are used.
    (ix) The personnel platform may travel at rated speeds greater than 
600 feet (182.88 m) per minute in completed shafts.
* * * * *

Subpart T--Demolition

    3. Revise the authority citation for subpart T of 29 CFR part 1926 
to read as follows:

    Authority: 40 U.S.C. 3701; 29 U.S.C. 653, 655, 657; and 
Secretary of Labor's Orders 12-71 (36 FR 8754), 8-76 (41 FR 25059), 
9-83 (48 FR 35736), 1-90 (55 FR 9033), 6-96 (62 FR 111), 5-2007 (72 
FR 31159), or 1-2012 (77 FR 3912), as applicable.

    4. Amend Sec.  1926.856 by revising paragraph (c) to read as 
follows:


Sec.  1926.856  Removal of walls, floors, and material with equipment.

* * * * *
    (c) Cranes, derricks, and other mechanical equipment used must meet 
the requirements specified in subparts N, O, and CC of this part.
    5. Amend Sec.  1926.858 by revising paragraph (b) to read as 
follows:


Sec.  1926.858  Removal of steel construction.

* * * * *
    (b) Cranes, derricks, and other hoisting equipment used must meet 
the requirements specified in subparts N and CC of this part.
* * * * *

Subpart DD--[Removed]

    6. Remove subpart DD.

[FR Doc. 2012-20170 Filed 8-16-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-26-P


