The Federal Register

Delegation of Authority Under the Federal Tort Claims Act and Related Statutes

Thu, Dec 29 2005 11:00:00 GMT

1. Purpose. To delegate to the Solicitor of Labor the authority conferred on the Secretary of Labor under (a) the Federal Tort Claims Act, (b) section 157(b) of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998, and (c) the Military Personnel and Civilian Employees' Claims Act of 1964.

2. Directives Affected. Secretary's Order 2476 is hereby cancelled.

3. Background.

A. The Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA), 28 U.S.C. 2672, generally makes the Government liable for property damage and personal injuries caused by the negligent or wrongful act or omission of any Government employee while performing official duties. Federal agency heads, including the Secretary of Labor, are authorized by the FTCA to award, compromise, or settle claims not in excess of $25,000. Subject to the provisions of the FTCA relating to civil actions or tort claims, any such award or determination is final and conclusive on all officers of the Government, except when procured by means of fraud.

B. Section 157(b) of the Wo

Proposed Collection; Comment Request

Thu, Dec 29 2005 11:00:00 GMT

The Department of Labor, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, conducts a preclearance consultation program to provide the general public and Federal agencies with an opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing collections of information in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA95) [44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)]. This program helps to ensure that requested data can be provided in the desired format, reporting burden (time and financial resources) is minimized, collection instruments are clearly understood, and the impact of collection requirements on respondents can be properly assessed. Currently, the Employment Standards Administration is soliciting comments concerning the proposed collection: Employment of Apprentices, Messengers and Learners (Including StudentLearners and Student Workers), Forms WH205 and WH209. A copy of the proposed information collection request can be obtained by contacting the office listed below in the addres

Labor Research Advisory Council; Notice of Reestablishment

Thu, Dec 29 2005 11:00:00 GMT

The Secretary of Labor has determined that reestablishment of the Labor Research Advisory Council to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (LRAC) is necessary and in the public interest in connection with the performance of duties imposed upon the Commissioner of Labor Statistics by 29 U.S.C. 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8, and 9. The purpose of the Council is to advise the Commissioner of Labor Statistics with respect to technical issues arising out of the statistical work of the Bureau, and provide perspectives on Bureau programs in relation to the information needs of the American workforce, the organized labor community, and organizations or institutions with a demonstrated interest in accurate, timely, and relevant economic measures from the perspective of American workers.

The determination that the reestablishment is necessary and in the public interest follows consultation with the Committee Management Secretariat, General Services Administration.

The Council's charter will be filed under the Act

Roll-Over Protective Structures

Thu, Dec 29 2005 11:00:00 GMT

In 1996, OSHA published a technical amendment revising the construction and agriculture standards that regulate testing of roll over protective structures (``ROPS'') used to protect employees who operate wheeltype tractors. This revision removed the original ROPS standards and replaced them with references to national consensus standards for ROPStesting
[[Page 76980]]
requirements. The Agency believed that the national consensus standards essentially duplicated the ROPS standards they replaced, and that any differences between them were not substantive. Subsequently, OSHA identified several substantive differences between the national consensus standards and the original ROPS standards. Therefore, the Agency is reinstating the original ROPS standards by issuing this direct final rule. The reinstated ROPS standards for both construction and agriculture also contain a number of minor revisions that OSHA believes are not substantive and will improve comprehension of, and compliance with, the standa