DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Occupational Safety and Health Administration

Proposed Collection; Comment Request

ACTION: Notice.

SUMMARY: 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) [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 Occupational Safety and Health Administration is soliciting comments concerning the proposed extension of the information collection request for the Vinyl Chloride Standard 29 CFR 1910.1017. A copy of the proposed information collection request (ICR) can be obtained by contacting the employee listed below in the addressee section of this notice.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted to the office listed in the addressee section below on or before August 13, 1996. The Department of Labor 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 submissions of responses.

ADDRESSEE: Comments are to be submitted to the Docket Office, Docket No. ICR-96-5, U.S. Department of Labor, Room N-2625, 200 Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, D.C. 20210, telephone (202) 219-7894. Written comments limited to pages or less in length may also be transmitted by facsimile to (202) 219-5046.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Anne C. Cyr, Office of Information and Consumer Affairs, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, Room N-3647, 200 Constitution Ave., NW, Washington, D.C. 20210. Telephone: (202) 219-8148. Copies of the referenced information collection request are available for inspection and copying in the Docket Office and will be mailed immediately to persons who request copies by telephoning Vivian Allen at (202) 219-8076. For electronic copies of the Vinyl Chloride Information Collection Request, contact the Labor News Bulletin Board (202) 219-4784; or OSHA's WebPage on Internet at htt:// www.osha.gov/.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

The Vinyl Chloride Standard and its information collection is designed to provide protection for employees from the adverse health effects associated with occupational exposure to vinyl chloride. The standard requires employers to monitor employee exposure to vinyl chloride (VC), to monitor employee health and to provide employees with information about their exposures and the health effects of injuries. In addition employers are required to notify OSHA area directors of regulated areas, changes to regulated areas, and of emergencies.

II. Current Actions

This notice requests an extension of the current OMB approval of the paperwork requirements in the Vinyl Chloride Standard. Extension is necessary to provide continued protection to employees from the health effects associated with occupational exposure to vinyl chloride.

Type of Review: Extension.

Agency: Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

Title: Vinyl Chloride.

OMB Number: 1218-0010.

Agency Number: Docket Number ICR-96-5.

Affected Public: Business or other for-profit, Federal government and State, Local or Tribal governments.

Total Respondents: 80.

Frequency: On occasion.

Total Responses: 5,787.

Average Time per Response: Time per response ranges from 5 minutes to maintain records to 12 hours to develop a compliance program.

Estimated Total Burden Hours: 2,203.

Estimated Capital: Operation/Maintenance Burden Cost: $258,042 Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and/or 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.

Dated: June 6, 1996.

Adam M. Finkel, Director, Directorate of Health Standards Programs.

[FR Doc. 96-15176 Filed 6-13-96; 8:45 am]