DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Office of the Secretary

Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

September 25, 1997.

The Department of Labor (DOL) has submitted the following public information collection requests (ICRs) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13, 44 U.S.C. Chapter 35). A copy of each individual ICR, with applicable supporting documentation, may be obtained by calling the Department of Labor, Departmental Clearance Officer, Theresa M. O'Malley (202 219-5096 ext. 143) or by E-Mail to OMalley-Theresa@dol.gov. Individuals who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TTY/TDD) may call 202 219-4720 between 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. Eastern time, Monday-Friday.

Comments should be sent to Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Attn: OMB Desk Officer for BLS, DM, ESA, ETA, MSHA, OSHA, PWBA, or VETS, Office of Management and Budget, Room 10235, Washington, DC 20503, (202 395-7316), within 30 days from the date of this publication in the Federal Register.

The OMB 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 submission of responses.

Agency: Employment and Training Administration.

Title: Guidelines for the State Employment Security Agency Program and Budget Plan for the Unemployment Insurance Program.

OMB Number: 1205-0132 (revision).

Frequency: Annual.

Affected Public: Federal Government; State, Local or Tribal Government.

Total Burden Hours: 2,109.

Total annualized capital/startup costs: 0.

Total annual costs (operating/maintaining systems or purchasing services): $60,700.

Description: The Program Budget Plan (PBP) is the annual planning and budget instrument for the Unemployment Insurance system nationwide. It facilitates State planning and allows for the development of Corrective Action Plans for deficient performance, as well as, plans for program enhancements made possible by increased funding allocation requests. This is the 14th edition of this document.

Agency: Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Title: Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses.

OMB Number: 1220-0045 (revision).

Frequency: Annual.

Affected Public: Business or other for-profit; Not-for-profit institutions; Farms; State, Local or Tribal Government.

Total Burden Hours: 207,291. Total annualized capital/startup costs: 0.

Total annual costs (operating/maintaining systems or purchasing services): 0.

Description: The Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses is the primary indicator of the Nation's progress in providing every working man and woman safe and healthful working conditions. Survey data are also used to evaluate the effectiveness of the Federal and State programs and to prioritize scarce resources.

Agency: Employment Standards Administration.

Title: Health Insurance Claim form.

OMB Number: 1215-0055 (extension).

Frequency: On occasion.

Affected Public: Individuals or households; Business or other for- profit; Not-for-profit institutions; Federal Government; State, Local or Tribal Government.

Number of Respondents: 763,516.

Estimated Time Per Respondent: 13 minutes.

Total Burden Hours: 167,868.

Total annualized capital/startup costs: 0.

Total annual costs (operating/maintaining systems or purchasing services): $2,800.

Description: This information is collected to ensure payment of appropriate benefits or charges of diagnostic and treatment services under both the Federal Employees' and Black Lung Compensation mandates, and for reporting payment information required by the Internal Revenue Service are made.

Agency: Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

Title: Telecommunications (29 CFR 1910.268(c)) -- Training Certifications.

OMB Number: 1218-0new (formerly 1218-0210) (extension).

Frequency: On occasion.

Affected Public: Business or other for-profit; Federal Government; State, Local or Tribal Government.

Number of Respondents: 213,980.

Estimated Time Per Respondent: 5 minutes.

Total Burden Hours: 17,118.

Total annualized capital/startup costs: 0.

Total annual costs (operating/maintaining systems or purchasing services): 0.

Description: The training certification required in 29 CFR 1910.268<Copyright> is necessary to assure compliance with the requirement that employees have been trained in the various precautions and safe practices in telecommunications.

Agency: Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

Title: Manlifts (29 CFR 1910.68(e)(3) -- Inspection Certifications.

OMB Number: 1218-0new (formerly 1218-0210) (extension).

Frequency: Weekly, Monthly.

Affected Public: Business or other for-profit; Federal Government; State, Local or Tribal Government.

Number of Respondents: 3,000.

Estimated Time Per Respondent: 1.15 hours.

Total Burden Hours: 51,005.

Total annualized capital/startup costs: 0.

Total annual costs (operating/maintaining systems or purchasing services): 0.

Description: The information collection requirement of this standard is necessary to assure compliance with the requirements for manlifts by a competent person. The inspection is intended to assure that the manlifts are in safe operating condition, and all safety devices, such as belt switches, are working properly. The failure of belts of switches could cause serious injury or death to an employee.

Agency: Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

Title: Construction Records for Tests and Inspections for Personnel Hoists (29 CFR 1926.552(c)(15)).

OMB Number: 1218-0new (formerly 1218-0210) (extension).

Frequency: On occasion.

Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.

Number of Respondents: 14,400.

Estimated Time Per Respondent: 15 minutes (every 3 months).

Total Burden Hours: 15,840.

Total annualized capital/startup costs: 0.

Total annual costs (operating/maintaining systems or purchasing services): 0.

Description: The construction standard on personnel hoists requires employers to conduct tests and inspections for hoists that their employees use. The certification records, which attest to the safety of the hoists, are necessary to ensure compliance with the standard.

Agency: Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

Title: Aerial Lifts (29 CFR 1910.67(b) (2) -- Manufacturer's Certification.

OMB Number: 1218-0new (formerly 1218-0120) (extension).

Frequency: On occasion.

Affected Public: Business or other for-profit; Federal Government; State, Local or Tribal Government.

Number of Respondents: 900.

Estimated Time Per Respondent: 5 minutes.

Total Burden Hours: 72.

Total annualized capital/startup costs: 0.

Total annual costs (operating/maintaining systems or purchasing services): 0.

Description: This standard requires that when aerial lifts are "field modified" for uses other than those intended by the manufacturer, the modification must be certified in writing by the manufacturer or by any other equivalent entity, such as a nationally recognized testing laboratory to be in conformity with all applicable provisions of ANSI A92.2-1969 and the OSHA standard, to be at least as safe as the equipment was before modification.

Agency: Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

Title: Recording and Reporting Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (29 CFR 1904).

OMB Number: 1218-0176 (extension).

Frequency: On occasion.

Affected Public: Business or other for-profit; Not-for-profit institutions; Farms; State, Local or Tribal Government.

Number of Respondents: 816,766.

Estimated Time Per Respondent: 1.9 hours.

Total Burden Hours: 1,492,710.

Total annualized capital/startup costs: 0.

Total annual costs (operating/maintaining systems or purchasing services): $31,032,694.

Description: The OSH Act and 29 CFR 1904 prescribe that certain employers maintain records of job related injuries and illnesses. The data are needed by OSHA to carry out intervention and enforcement activities to guarantee workers a safe and healthful workplace. The data are also needed by the Bureau of Labor Statistics to produce national statistics on occupational injuries and illnesses. Approximately 816,000 employers keep these records. Only 65 percent must record a case.

Agency: Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

Title: Access to Employee Exposure and Medical Records (29 CFR 1910.1020).

OMB Number: 1218-0065 (extension).

Frequency: On occasion.

Affected Public: Business or other for-profit; Not-for-profit institutions; State, Local or Tribal Government.

Number of Respondents: 747,874.

Estimated Time Per Respondent: 9 minutes.

Total Burden Hours: 448,886.

Total annualized capital/startup costs: 0.

Total annual costs (operating/maintaining systems or purchasing services): 0.

Description: The purpose of the Access to Employee Exposure and Medical Records Standard and its information collection requirements are to provide employees and their designated representatives the right to access relevant exposure and medical records, and to provide representatives of the Assistant Secretary the right of access to these records in order to fulfill responsibilities under the Occupational Safety and Health Act. Access by employees, their representatives, and the Assistant Secretary is necessary to yield both direct and indirect improvement in the detection, treatment, and prevention of occupational disease. Each employer is responsible for assuring compliance with this standard, but the activities involved in complying with the access to medical provisions can be carried out, on behalf of the employer, by the physician or other health care personnel in charge of employee medical records.

Agency: Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

Title: Formaldehyde Standard (29 CFR 1910.1048).

OMB Number: 1218-0145 (extension).

Frequency: On occasion.

Affected Public: Business or other for-profit; Not-for-profit institutions; State, Local or Tribal Government.

Number of Respondents: 112,066.

Estimated Time Per Respondent: Time ranges from 5 minutes to maintain records to 1 hour for medical exams.

Total Burden Hours: 521,110.

Total annualized capital/startup costs: 0.

Total annual costs (operating/maintaining systems or purchasing services): $54,209,103.

Description: The Formaldehyde Standard and its information collection is designed to provide protection for employees from the adverse effects associated with occupational exposure to formaldehyde.

The standard requires employers to monitor employee exposure to formaldehyde and provide notification to employees of their exposure to formaldehyde. Employers are required to make available medical exams to employees who are or may be exposed to formaldehyde at or above the action level (0.5 parts per million calculated as an eight hour time-weighted average), or exceeding the short term exposure limit (two parts formaldehyde per million parts per air). Exposure monitoring and medical records are to be retained for prescribed amounts of time, and under certain circumstances such records may be transferred to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Employers are also required to communicate the hazards associated with exposure to formaldehyde through signs, labels, material safety data sheets, and training.

Agency: Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

Title: Construction Fall Protection Plans and Records (29 CFR 1926.502 and 1926.503).

OMB Number: 1218-0197 (extension).

Frequency: On occasion.

Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.

Number of Respondents: 6,000 (sites of net installation certification); 100,000 (sites using fall protection plan); and 4 million (workers trained).

Estimated Time Per Respondent: 5 minutes (safety net certification records); 1 hour 5 minutes (fall protection plan); 5 minutes (training certification records).

Total Burden Hours: 767,246.

Total annualized capital/startup costs: 0.

Total annual costs (operating/maintaining systems or purchasing services): 0.

Description: The construction standard for fall protection allows employers to develop alternative procedures to the use of conventional fall protection systems when the systems are infeasible or create a greater hazard. The alternative procedures (plan) must be written. Also, employers who use safety net systems may certify that the installation meets the standard's criteria in lieu of performing a drop-test on the net. In addition, employers are required to prepare training certification records for their employees. The plan and certification records ensure that employers comply with the requirements to protect workers from falls,which account for the largest number of fatalities among construction workers.

Agency: Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

Title: Forging Machines (29 CFR 1910.218(a)(2)(I) and (ii)) -- Inspection Certifications.

OMB Number: 1210-0 new (formerly 1218-1210) (extension).

Frequency: Bi-weekly.

Affected Public: Business or other for-profit; Federal Government; State, Local or Tribal Government.

Number of Respondents: 27,700.

Estimated Time Per Respondent: 10 Minutes.

Total Burden Hours: 244,868.

Total annualized capital/startup costs: 0

Total annual costs (operating/maintaining systems or purchasing services): 0.

Description: The inspection certifications required by 29 CFR 1910.218(a)(2)(I) and (ii) are necessary to assure compliance with the requirements for forging machines They are intended to assure that the forging machines have periodic and regular maintenance checks and that guards and point of operation protection devices have scheduled and record inspections.

Agency: Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

Title: Aboveground Tank Venting Devices (29 CFR 1910.106(b)(v)(I) and 29 CFR 1926.152(I)(2)(v)(I) -- Withdrawal of Paperwork for Manufacturer's Certification of Test.

OMB Number: 1218-0 new (formerly 1218-0210) (withdrawal).

Frequency: On occasion.

Affected Public: Business or other for-profit; Federal Government; State, Local or Tribal Government.

Number of Respondents: 0.

Estimated Time Per Respondent: 0.

Total Burden Hours: 0.

Total annualized capital/startup costs: 0

Total annual costs (operating/maintaining systems or purchasing services): 0.

Description: The requirements for the testing of venting devices on aboveground flammable and combustible liquid tanks are found at 29 CFR 1910.106(b)(2)(v)(I) and 29 CFR 1926.152(I)(2)(v)(I). The requirements are for a one-time test of the flow capacity of each type and size of tank venting devices 12 inches or smaller in nominal pipe size installed on aboveground tanks. 29 CFR 1910.106(b)(2)(v)(I) and 29 CFR 1926.152(I)(2)(v)(I) are two of 33 provisions currently contained in the paperwork package entitled ``Certification Records for Tests, Inspections, Maintenance Checks and Training (OMB Control Number 1218- 0210); however, OSHA has determined that there are no collections of information required by these provisions. These provisions contain no explicit requirements for the collection of information regarding that testing.

Theresa M. O'Malley,
Departmental Clearance Officer.

[FR Doc. 97-25919 Filed 9-29-97; 8:45 am)