DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Office of the Secretary

Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

July 31, 1998.

The DEPARTMENT OF LABOR (DOL) has submitted the following public information collection requests (ICRs) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13, 44 U.S.C. Chapter 35). A copy of each individual ICR, with applicable supporting documentation, may be obtained by calling the DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, Departmental Clearance Officer, Todd R. Own ((202) 219-5096 ext. 143) or by E-mail to Owen- Todd@dol.gov.

Comments should be sent to Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Attn: OMB Desk Officer for BLS, DM, ESA, ETA, MSHA, OSHA, PWBA, or VETS, Office of Management and Budget, Room 10235, Washington, DC 20503 ((202) 395-7316), within 30 days from the date of this publication in the Federal Register.

The OMB is particularly interested in comments which:

• Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, 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 through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses.

Agency: Employment Standards Administration.

Title: Federal Employees' Compensation Act (FECA) Medical Report Forms.

OMB Number: 1215-0103 (extension).

Agency Numbers: CA-7, CA-16b, CA-17b, CA-20, CA-1090, CA-1303, CA- 1305, CA-1306, CA-1314, CA-1316, CA-1331, CA-1332, CA-1336, OWCP-5a, OWCP-5b, OWCP-5c.

Frequency: As needed.

Affected Public: Business or other for-profit; Federal Government; Individuals or households.

Number of Respondents: 441,855.

Total Responses: 441,855.

Total Burden Hours: 43,414.

Total Annualized Capital/Startup Costs: 0.

Total annual costs (operating/maintaining systems or purchasing services: $154,649.

Description: Statute 5 U.S.C. 8101 et seq. of the Federal Employees' Compensation Act provides for the payment of benefits for wage loss and/or for permanent payment to a scheduled member, arising out of a work related injury or disease. The CA-7 and CA-8 request information allowing the Office of Workers' Compensation Programs to fulfill its statutory requirements for the period of compensation claimed (e.g., the pay rate, dependents, earnings, dual benefits, and third party information). The other forms in this proposed revision collection collect medical information necessary to determine entitlements to benefits.

Agency: Occupation Safety and Health Administration.

Title: Personal Protective Equipment (29 CFR 1910.132).

OMB Number: 1218-0205 (extension).

Frequency: On occasion.

Affected Public: Business or other for-profit; Federal Government; State, Local or Tribal Government.

Number of Respondents: 63,500.

Total Responses: 63,500.

Estimated Time Per Respondent: Varies from five minutes to three hours.

Total Burden Hours: 21,140.

Total Annualized Capital/Startup Costs: 0.

Total annual costs (operating/maintaining systems or purchasing services): 0.

Description: The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (the Act) authorizes the promulgation of such health and safety standards as are necessary or appropriate to provide safe or healthful employment and places of employment. The statute specifically authorizes information collected by employers as necessary or appropriate for the enforcement of the Act or for developing information regarding the causes and prevention of occupational injuries, illnesses, and accidents.

In 219 CFR 1910.132, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), employers are required to perform a hazard assessment of the workplace and to certify that it has been performed. They are also required to certify that their employees have received, and understood PPE training.

OSHA inspectors will require employers to provide them with access to information during Agency inspections. The documents, which can be written or computer generated, are needed to verify that employers are in compliance with the standard. Additionally, the documents may be used as a "grandfather" mechanism. That is, an employer can verify that an existing hazard assessment and/or training program already meets the standards. This will eliminate the need for the employer to reassess the workplace or retrain employees.

Todd R. Owen,
Departmental Clearance Officer.

[FR Doc. 98-20927 Filed 8-4-98; 8:45 am]

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