[Federal Register: June 4, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 108)]
[Notices]               
[Page 31888-31889]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr04jn08-93]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment Standards Administration

 
Proposed Extension of the Approval of Information Collection 
Requirements

ACTION: Notice.

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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) [44 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 Employment Standards Administration is soliciting 
comments concerning its proposal to extend OMB approval of the 
information collection: Payment of Compensation Without Award (LS-206). 
A copy of the proposed information collection request can be obtained 
by contacting the office listed below in the ADDRESSES section of this 
Notice.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted to the office listed in the 
ADDRESSES section below on or before August 4, 2008.

ADDRESSES: Ms. Hazel M. Bell, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 
Constitution Ave., NW., Room S-3201, Washington, DC 20210, telephone 
(202) 693-0418, fax (202) 693-1451, e-mail bell.hazel@dol.gov. Please 
use only one method of transmission for comments (mail, fax, or e-
mail).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Background: The Office of Workers' 
Compensation Programs (OWCP) administers the Longshore and Harbor 
Workers' Compensation Act (LHWCA). The Act provides benefits to workers 
injured in maritime employment on the navigable waters of the United 
States or in adjoining areas customarily used by an employer in 
loading, unloading, repairing or building a vessel. Under sections 
914(b) and (c) of the Longshore Act, a self-insured employer or 
insurance carrier is required to pay compensation within 14 days after 
the employer has knowledge of the injury or death. Upon making the 
first payment, the employer or carrier shall immediately notify the 
district director of payment. Form LS-206 has been designated as the 
proper form on which report of first payment is to be made. The LS-206 
is also used by OWCP district offices to determine the payment status 
of a given case. This information collection is currently approved for 
use through December 31, 2008.
    II. Review Focus: 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;

[[Page 31889]]

     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.
    III. Current Actions: The Department of Labor seeks the approval of 
the extension of this information collection in order to carry out its 
responsibility to meet the statutory requirements to provide 
compensation or death benefits under the Act to workers covered under 
the Act.
    Type of Review: Extension.
    Agency: Employment Standards Administration.
    Titles: Payment of Compensation Without Award.
    OMB Number: 1215-0022.
    Agency Numbers: LS-206.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
    Total Respondents: 600.
    Total Annual Responses: 21,000.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 5,250.
    Estimated Time per Response: 15 minutes.
    Frequency: On occasion.
    Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0.
    Total Burden Cost (operating/maintenance): $10,395.00.
    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: May 29, 2008.
Hazel M. Bell,
Acting Chief, Branch of Management Review and Internal Control, 
Division of Financial Management, Office of Management, Administration 
and Planning, Employment Standards Administration.
 [FR Doc. E8-12334 Filed 6-3-08; 8:45 am]

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