DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Occupational Safety and Health Administration

[Docket No. ICR-98-18]

Concrete and Masonry Construction

AGENCY: Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Labor.

ACTION: Notice of proposed information collection request; opportunity for public comment.

SUMMARY: The DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and information collection burdens, is conducting a preclearance consultation program to provide the general public and Federal agencies with an opportunity to comment on both current and proposed collections of information in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)). This program helps to ensure that reporting burden (time and financial resources) is minimized, collection materials are clearly understood, impact of collection requirements on respondents can be accurately assessed, and requested data can be provided in the desired format. Currently, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration is soliciting comments on the information collection requirement contained in 29 CFR 1926.703(a)(2). that provision requires that formwork drawings or plans for cast-in-place concrete construction work be available at the jobsite.

The Agency is particularly interested in comments that:

• Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of OSHA's responsibilities, including whether the information will have practical utility;

• Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used;

• Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and

• Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology (for example, permitting electronic submissions of responses).

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before August 18, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Comments are to submitted to the Docket Office, Docket ICR- 98-18, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, Room N-2625, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20210, (202) 219-7894. Written comments limited to 10 pages or less may be transmitted by facsimile to (202) 219-5046.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Laurence Davey, Directorate of Construction, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, Room N3621, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20210, (202) 219-7207. Copies of the information collection requests are available for inspection and copying in the Docket Office and will be mailed to persons who request copies by telephoning Mr. Davey at (202) 219-7207 or Barbara Bielaski at (202) 219-8076. For electronic copies of the information collection request, contact OSHA's Web Page on Internet at http://www.osha-slc.gov (click on Information Collection Requests).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) currently has approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for the information collection (records) requirements contained in 29 CFR 1926.703(a)(2). That approval will expire on September 30, 1998, unless OSHA applies for an extension of the OMB approval. This notice initiates the process for OSHA to request an extension of the current OMB approval.

Section 1926.703(a)(2) requires that formwork drawings or plans for cast-in-place concrete construction work be available at the jobsite. The information is needed by employers, employees, OSHA compliance officers, and other interested persons in the construction industry to ensure concrete structures are erected in a safe and purposeful manner. This provision addresses safety and health concerns caused by improperly designed and erected formwork. Such hazards could cause partial or total collapse of concrete structures and result in serious or fatal injuries to workers.

Current Action

This notice requests an extension of the current OMB approval of the paperwork requirements in 29 CFR 1926.703(a)(2).

Type of Review: Extension of existing approval.

Agency: Occupational Safety and Health Administration, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR.

Title: Concrete and Masonry Construction (29 CFR 1926.703(a)(2)).

OMB Number: 1218-0095.

Agency Number: Docket No. ICR-98-18.

Frequency: On Occasion.

Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.

Number of Respondents: 994.

Estimated Time Per Respondent: 10 Minutes.

Total Burden Hours: 7,787.

Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and included in the request for Office of Management and Budget approval of the information collection request; they will also become a matter of public record.

Signed at Washington, DC, this 15th day of June, 1998.

Charles N. Jeffress,
Assistant Secretary of Labor.

[FR Doc. 98-16382 Filed 6-18-98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4510-26-M