[Federal Register: July 2, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 128)]
[Notices]               
[Page 37987]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr02jy08-108]                         

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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: Notice of Controversion of Right to 
Compensation (LS-207). 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 September 2, 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 an adjoining areas 
customarily used by an employer in loading, unloading, repairing or 
building a vessel. In addition, several acts extend Longshore Act 
coverage to certain other employees. Pursuant to section 914(d) of the 
Longshore Act, and 20 CFR 702.251, if an employer controverts the right 
to compensation, he/she shall file with the district director in the 
affected compensation district on or before the fourteenth day after 
he/she has knowledge of the alleged injury or death, a notice, in 
accordance with a form prescribed by the Secretary, stating that the 
right to compensation is controverted. Form LS-207 has been designated 
for this purpose. Form LS-207 is used by insurance carriers and self-
insured employers to controvert claims under the Longshore Act and 
extensions. The information is used by OWCP district offices to 
determine the basis for not paying benefits in a 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;
     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 
for the extension of this currently approved 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: Notice of Controversion of Right to Compensation.
    OMB Number: 1215-0023.
    Agency Numbers: LS-207.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
    Total Respondents: 700.
    Total Annual responses: 17,500.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 4,375.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 15 minutes.
    Frequency: On Occasion.
    Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0.
    Total Burden Cost (operating/maintenance): $8,662.
    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.

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. E8-14979 Filed 7-1-08; 8:45 am]

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