OSHA announced in the April 21 Federal Register that it will hold an informal public hearing to receive testimony and documentary evidence on the proposed rule for Confined Spaces in Construction, according to an agency release. The hearing is scheduled for 10 a.m. on July 22, 2008, at the Department of Labor’s Frances Perkins Building in Washington, D.C. If a second or third day is necessary, the hearing will begin at 9 a.m. on those days.

“The proposed rule is intended to address construction-specific issues as they relate to confined spaces and establish comprehensive procedures to protect employees,” said OSHA director Edwin G. Foulke, Jr. “This hearing will allow interested parties the opportunity to provide input on the proposed rule.”

The proposed standard was originally published on Nov. 28, 2007 (72 FR 67351), and the public was given until Feb. 28, 2008, to submit comments.

ISHN readers who intend to present testimony at the hearing may notify OSHA in writing of their intention to do so by no later than May 21, 2008. According to OSHA, parties who request more than 10 minutes for their presentations at the hearing and those who will present documentary evidence must provide the agency with copies of their full testimony and all documentary evidence no later than June 20, 2008.