[Federal Register: August 29, 2002 (Volume 67, Number 168)]
[Notices]               
[Page 55432-55433]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr29au02-117]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment Standards Administration

 
Proposed Collection; Comment Request

AGENCY: Employment Standards Administration, Labor.

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,

[[Page 55433]]

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 the proposed new collection ``Alternate Employment 
Information Request.'' A copy of the proposed information collection 
request can be obtained by contacting the office 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 October 28, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Ms. Patricia A. Forkel, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 
Constitution Ave., NW., Room S-3201, Washington, DC 20210, telephone 
(202) 693-0339, fax (202) 693-1451, e-mail pforkel@fenix2.dol-esa.gov. 
Please use only one method of transmission for comments (mail, fax, or 
e-mail).

I. Background

    The Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act 
of 2000, as amended (EEOICPA or Act), 42 U.S.C. 7384 et seq, 
established a program to provide compensation to covered employees, and 
where applicable, survivors of such employees, suffering from illnesses 
incurred in the performance of duty for the Department of Energy (DOE) 
and certain of its contractors, subcontractors and vendors. Employees 
and/or survivors claiming benefits must establish a verified employment 
history that includes at least one period of covered employment. As 
part of an employment verification process, DOE reviews the claimed 
period of employment to affirm its accuracy. If DOE is unable to verify 
the alleged employment history, the Office of Workers' Compensation 
Programs must obtain factual evidence necessary to establish covered 
employment from private entities who are not current contractors or 
subcontractors of DOE.

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;
    * 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.

III. Current Actions

    The Department of Labor seeks the approval of this information 
collection in order to carry out its responsibility to establish 
eligibility for benefits to those persons seeking compensation under 
EEOICPA. There is no standardized form or format associated with the 
information request, and each private entity may determine the most 
convenient methodology to respond. The OWCP will accept responses via 
e-mail, telephone, FAX or mail.
    Type of Review: New.
    Agency: Employment Standards Administration.
    Title: Alternate Employment Information Request.
    OMB Number: 1215-0NEW.
    Affected Public: Businesses or other for-profit; Not for-profit 
institutions.
    Total Respondents: 100.
    Total Responses: 2,000.
    Frequency: On occasion.
    Average Time per Response: 30 minutes.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 1,000.
    Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0.
    Total Burden Cost (operating/maintenance): $480.
    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: August 22, 2002.
Margaret J. Sherrill,
Chief, Branch of Management Review and Internal Control, Division of 
Financial Management, Office of Management, Administration and 
Planning, Employment Standards Administration.
[FR Doc. 02-22019 Filed 8-28-02; 8:45 am]
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