[Federal Register: May 3, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 85)]
[Notices]
[Page 26112-26113]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr03my06-104]
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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Bureau of Labor Statistics
Proposed Collection; Comment Request
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 pre-clearance
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. The
Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is soliciting comments concerning the
extension of the ``BLS Occupational Safety and Health Statistics (OSHS)
Cooperative Agreement Application Package.'' A copy of the proposed
information collection request (ICR) can be obtained by contacting the
individual listed below in the ADDRESSES section of this notice.
DATES: Written comments must be submitted to the office listed in the
ADDRESSES section of this notice on or before July 3, 2006.
ADDRESSES: Send comments to Amy A. Hobby, BLS Clearance Officer,
Division of Management Systems, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Room 4080,
2 Massachusetts Avenue, NE., Washington, DC 20212, telephone number
202-691-7628. (This is not a toll free number.)
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Amy A. Hobby, BLS Clearance Officer,
telephone number 202-691-7628. (See ADDRESSES section.)
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
The Secretary of Labor has delegated to the BLS the authority to
collect, compile, and analyze statistical data on work-related injuries
and illnesses, as authorized by the Occupational Safety and Health Act
of 1970 (Pub. L. 91-596). The Cooperative Agreement is designed to
allow the BLS to ensure conformance with program objectives. The BLS
has full authority over the financial operations of the statistical
program. The BLS requires financial reporting that will produce the
information that is needed to monitor the financial activities of the
BLS Occupational Safety and Health Statistics grantees.
II. Current Action
The BLS requests approval for a generic OSHS Cooperative Agreement
from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). This is not a new
collection, but for the first time the BLS is soliciting comments on
the application package--without its program work statements--as a
generic Cooperative Agreement application. The work statements will be
submitted separately to OMB for review of any minor year-to-year
information collection burden changes they may contain. The Cooperative
Agreement provides the basis for effectively managing the
administrative and financial aspects of the program. The application
package being submitted to OMB is representative of the package sent
every year to State agencies and, as such, is considered to be a
generic package. The existing collection of information allows Federal
staff to negotiate the Cooperative Agreement with the State Grant
Agencies (SGAs) and monitor their financial and programmatic
performance and adherence to administrative requirements imposed by
common regulations implementing OMB Circular A-102 and other grant-
related regulations. The information collected also is used for
planning and budgeting at the Federal level and in meeting Federal
reporting requirements.
The burden estimates are based on actual experience of grantees
completing the forms. Public comments on the accuracy of the burden
estimates,
[[Page 26113]]
as well as suggestions for reducing the burden, are encouraged.
Signatures that certify the authenticity of the information will
continue to be required.
III. Desired Focus of Comments
The BLS is particularly interested in comments that:
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.
Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.
Agency: Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Title: BLS Occupational Safety and Health Statistics Cooperative
Agreement Application Package.
OMB Number: 1220-0149.
Affected Public: State Governments.
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Average burden
-------------------------- Estimated
Forms Total Frequency Per total
respondents response Annually burden
(hours) (hours) (hours)
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BLS-OSHS Work Statements....................... 56 1 2 2 112
BLS-OSHS2...................................... 56 4 1 4 224
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Total...................................... 56 5 3 6 336
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Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0.
Total Burden Cost (operating/maintenance): $0.
Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized
and/or included in the request for OMB approval of the information
collection request; they also will become a matter of public record.
Signed at Washington, DC, this 26th day of April 2006.
Cathy Kazanowski,
Chief, Division of Management Systems, Bureau of Labor Statistics.
[FR Doc. E6-6662 Filed 5-2-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-24-P