ESA Federal Register Notice

Employment Standards Administration; Proposed Collection; Comment Request [10/09/2001]

Volume 66, Number 195, Page 51477-51478

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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

 
Employment Standards Administration; 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 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 the proposed extension of Notice of Controversion 
of Right to Compensation (LS-207).

DATES: Written comments must be submitted to the office listed in the 
addressee section below within December 10, 2001.

ADDRESSEES: Ms. Patricia A. Forkel, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 
Constitution Ave., NW., Room S-3201, Washington, DC 20210, telephone 
(202) 693-0339 (this is not a toll-free number), fax (202) 693-1451.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    The Office of Workers' Compensation Programs (OWCP) administers the 
Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act (LSWCA). The Act 
provides benefits to workers injured in maritime employment on the 
navigable waters of the United States or in an adjoining area 
customarily used by an employer in loading, unloading, repairing, or 
building a vessel. Pursuant to section 14(d) of the Act, if an employer 
controverts the right to compensation, he shall file with the district 
director in the affected compensation district on or before the 
fourteenth day after he 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. The LS-207 is used for 
this purpose.

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 the extension of this 
information collection in order to carry out its responsibility to meet 
the statutory requirements to ensure payment of compensation or death 
benefits under the Act.
    Type of Review: Extension.
    Agency: Employment Standards Administration.
    Title: Notice of Controversion of Right to Compensation.
    OMB Number: 1215-0023.
    Agency Number: LS-207.
    Affected Public: Businesses or other for-profit.

[[Page 51478]]

    Frequency: On occasion.
    Total Respondents: 900.
    Total Annual responses: 18,900.
    Time per Response: 15 minutes.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 4,725.
    Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0.
    Total Burden Cost (operating/maintenance): $7,418.25.
    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: September 7, 2001.
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. 01-25233 Filed 10-5-01; 8:45 am]
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