WASHINGTON, Jan. 29 -- The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) will hold an informal public hearing on the proposed cranes and derricks in construction standard published in the Oct. 9, 2008, edition of the Federal Register (73 FR 59713).

The hearing will be held beginning March 17 at 10 a.m. EST in the auditorium on the plaza level of the Frances Perkins Building, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Ave. N.W., Washington, D.C.

Participants who intend to present testimony must notify OSHA in writing by Feb.13. For participants requesting more than 10 minutes to present testimony or documentary evidence, OSHA must be provided with copies of the testimony or evidence by March 3.

Notice of intent to appear and copies of testimony or evidence may be submitted electronically to http://www.regulations.gov, the federal e-rulemaking portal. Alternatively, submissions of 10 pages or less may be sent via facsimile to 202-693-1648. Or, if submitting by mail, hand delivery or courier service, three copies may be sent to the OSHA Docket Office, docket number OSHA-2007-0066, Technical Data Center, Room N-2625, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Ave. N.W., Washington, D.C. The docket number, OSHA-2007-0066, must be included on all submissions.

Technical inquiries should be directed to Cathy Legan in OSHA's Directorate of Construction at 202-693-2020.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing a safe and healthy workplace for their employees. OSHA's role is to promote the safety and health of America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards; providing training, outreach and education; establishing partnerships; and encouraging continual process improvement in workplace safety and health. For more information, visit www.osha.gov.

U.S. Department of Labor releases are accessible on the Internet at www.dol.gov. The information in this news release will be made available in alternate format (large print, Braille, audiotape or disc) from the COAST office upon request. Please specify which news release when placing your request at 202-693-7828 or TTY 202-693-7755. The Labor Department is committed to providing America's employers and employees with easy access to understandable information on how to comply with its laws and regulations. For more information, please visit www.dol.gov/compliance.