June 18, 2003—The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced June 11 that it is establishing a Crane and Derrick Negotiated Rulemaking Committee to develop a new, proposed construction safety standard for cranes and derricks. When OSHA requested comments on the subject in July 2002, there was broad support for using negotiated rulemaking to update the standard, and nearly all commenters supported the establishment of the advisory committee.
The committee will function as a part of OSHA’s rulemaking process to revise the existing standards for cranes and derricks in construction. Members of the committee will identify key issues, evaluate their importance, analyze the information necessary to resolve the issues, and work to reach a consensus on the coverage and the substance of a proposed rule. If the committee reaches a consensus on a proposed rule, the proposed regulatory text will be submitted to the Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health and then be published for public comment.
The advisory committee may consist of up to 25 members and a facilitator who will chair the meetings in an impartial manner and assist the committee members in conducting discussions and negotiations. OSHA will be a member of the committee.
