EPA’s asbestos worker protection rule
is designed to provide occupational exposure protection to state
and local government employees who are engaged in asbestos
abatement activities in states that do not have state plans
approved by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration
(OSHA). The rule provides protection for public employees not
covered by the OSHA standard from the adverse health effects
associated with occupational exposure to asbestos. Specifically,
the rule requires state and local governments to monitor employee
exposure to asbestos, take action to reduce exposure to asbestos,
monitor employee health and train employees about asbestos hazards.
The rule includes a number of information reporting and
recordkeeping requirements. State and local government agencies are
required to provide employees with information about exposures to
asbestos and the associated health effects. The rule also requires
state and local governments to notify EPA before commencing any
asbestos abatement project. State and local governments must
maintain medical surveillance and monitoring records and training
records on their employees, must establish a set of written
procedures for respirator programs and must maintain procedures and
records of respirator fit tests. EPA will use the information to
monitor compliance with the asbestos worker protection
rule.
US Code:
15
USC 2607 Name of Law: Reporting and retention of
information
US Code: 15
USC 2605 Name of Law: Regulation of hazardous chemical
substances and mixtures
There is a net increase of
9,452 hours in the total estimated respondent burden compared with
that identified in the ICR currently approved by OMB. This increase
reflects an increase of 24,371 hours to account for updates made
from previous ICRs to standardize methodology, and a decrease of
14,919 hours due to Maine’s new status of having an OSHA-approved
state plan whereby its entities are no longer covered under this
ICR. This change is an adjustment.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that
the collection of information encompassed by this request complies
with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR
1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding
the proposed collection of information, that the certification
covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a
benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control
number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of
these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked
and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.