DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Office of the Secretary

Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

September 26, 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: Mine Safety and Health Administration.

Title: Alternative Mines Rescue Capability for Small and Remote Mines and Mines with Special Mining Conditions.

OMB Number: 1219-0078 (reinstatement with change).

Frequency: On occasion.

Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.

Number of Respondents: 3,138.

Estimated Time Per Respondent: .53 hour.

Total Burden Hours: 29,267.

Total Annualized capital/startup costs: 0.

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

Description: If an underground mine is small and remote or is operating under special mining conditions, the operator may apply for permission to provide alternative mine rescue capability. The intent of the regulation is to establish the best possible rescue response available under the circumstances.

Agency: Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

Title: Bloodborne Pathogens, 29 CFR 1910.1030 and 1915,1030 (29 CFR part 1910 ad 1915).

OMB Number: 1218-0180 (extension).

Frequency: On occasion.

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

Number of Respondents: 511,805.

Estimated Time Per Respondent: .46 hour.

Total Burden Hours: 5,162,397.

Total Annualized capital/startup costs: 0.

Total annual costs (operating/maintaining systems or purchasing services): $17,262,900.

Description: The purpose of the Bloodborne Pathogens Standard and its information collection requirements are to provide protection to employees from adverse health effects associated with occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens. The Standard requires that employers establish and maintain an exposure control plan, develop a housekeeping schedule, provide employees with Hepatitis B vaccinations, post exposure evaluation and medical follow-up, provide employees with information and training, and maintain medical and training records for prescribed periods. HIV and HBV Research Labs must also adopt or develop, and annually review a biosafety manual.

Agency: Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

Title: Lead in Construction.

OMB Number: 1218-0189 (extension).

Frequency: On occasion.

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

Number of Respondents: 147,073.

Estimated Time Per Respondent: 0.286 hour.

Total Burden Hours: 1,814,671.

Total Annualized capital/startup costs: 0.

Total annual costs (operating/maintaining systems or purchasing services): $87,087,005.

Description: The purpose of the Lead in Construction Standard and its information collection requirements are to reduce occupational lead exposure in the construction industry. Lead exposure can result in both acute and chronic effects and can be fatal in severe cases of lead intoxication. Some of the health effects associated with lead exposure include brain disorders which can lead to seizures, coma, and death; anemia; neurological problems; high blood pressure, kidney problems, reproductive problems; and decreased red blood cell production. The Standard requires that employers establish and maintain a training and compliance program, and exposure monitoring and medical surveillance records. These records are used by employers, physicians, employers, and OSHA to determine the effectiveness of the employers' compliance efforts.

Agency: Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

Title: Occupational Noise Exposure (29 CFR 1910.95).

OMB Number: 1218-0048 (extension).

Frequency: On occasion.

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

Number of Respondents: 379,512.

Estimated Time Per Respondent: 0.58 hour.

Total Burden Hours: 5,166,401.

Total Annualized capital/startup costs: 0.

Total annual costs (operating/maintaining systems or purchasing services): $53,891,845.

Description: The purpose of the Occupational Noise Exposure Standard and its information collection requirements are to provide protection for employees from adverse health effects associated with occupational exposure to noise. The standard requires employers to establish and maintain accurate records of employee exposures to noise and audiometric testing performed in compliance with the standard. These records are used by the physician, employer, employee and the Government to determine whether occupation-related hearing loss has occurred, to prevent further deterioration of hearing, and to determine the effectiveness of an employer's hearing conservation program.

Agency: Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

Title: Asbestos in Construction (29 CFR 1926.1101).

OMB Number: 1218-0134 (extension).

Frequency: On occasion.

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

Number of Respondents: 286,821.

Estimated Time Per Respondent: Ranges from 5 minutes to maintain records to 17.3 hours to train qualified persons.

Total Burden Hours: 5,817,388.

Total Annualized capital/startup costs: 0.

Total annual costs (operating/maintaining systems or purchasing services): $42,774,491.

Description: The purpose of this standard and its information collection is designed to provide protection for employees from the adverse health effect associated with occupational exposure to asbestos. The standard requires employers to monitor employee exposure to asbestos, and to monitor employee health and to provide employees with information about their exposures and the health effects of injuries.

Agency: Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

Title: Asbestos in Shipyards (29 CFR 1915.1001).

OMB Number: 1218-0195 (extension).

Frequency: On occasion.

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

Number of Respondents: 89.

Estimated Time Per Respondent: Ranges from 5 minutes to maintain records to 40 hours to train qualified persons.

Total Burden Hours: 1, 093.

Total Annualized capital/startup costs: 0.

Total annual costs (operating/maintaining systems or purchasing services): $34,861.

Description: The purpose of this standard and its information collection is designed to provide protection for employees from the adverse health effects associated with occupational exposure to asbestos. The standard requires employers to monitor employee exposure to asbestos, to monitor employee health and to provide employees with information about their exposures and the health effects of injuries.

Agency: Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

Title: Safety Testing and Certification (29 CFR 1910.7).

OMB Number: 1218-0147 (extension).

Frequency: On occasion.

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

Number of Respondents: 47.

Estimated Time Per Respondent: 53 hours.

Total Burden Hours: 1,160.

Total Annualized capital/startup costs: 0.

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

Description: A number of OSHA's standards require certain equipment to be "tested" (or approved) by a "national recognized testing laboratory" (NRTL). An organization seeking to perform this testing (or approval) must be "recognized" by OSHA and must apply to the OSHA NRTL Recognition Program for recognition. Recognition is granted after OSHA determines that the organization meets certain criteria.

Agency: Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

Title: Mechanical Power Presses (29 CFR 1910.217(e)(1)(I) and 29 CFR 1910.217(e)(1)(ii)) -- Inspection Certifications.

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

Frequency: Weekly.

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

Number of Respondents: 191,750.

Estimated Time Per Respondent: 30 minutes.

Total Burden Hours: 1,372,945.

Total Annualized capital/startup costs: 0.

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

Description: The information collection requirements of this standard are necessary to assure compliance with the requirements for mechanical power presses. The inspection is intended to assure that the mechanical power processes are in safe operating condition, and that the safety devices are working properly. The failure of these safety devices could cause serious injury or death to an employee.

Agency: Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

Title: Restraining Devices for Servicing Large Vehicle MultiPiece and Single Piece Rim Wheels (29 CFR 1910.177(d)(3)(iv)) -- Manufacturer's Certification of Structural or Welding Repairs.

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: 80.

Estimated Time Per Respondent: 0.08 hour.

Total Burden Hours: 6.

Total Annualized capital/startup costs: 0.

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

Description: Pursuant to its statutory authority, OSHA promulgated the standard for the servicing of multi-piece and single piece rim wheels used on large vehicles such as trucks, trailers and buses. The standard requires that when a damaged restraining device needs structural repair such as component replacement or rewelding, the repairs must be certified by either the manufacturer or a registered professional engineer as meeting the strength requirements of paragraph 1910.177(d)(3)(I).

Agency: Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

Title: Portable Fire Extinguishers (29 CFR 1910.157(f)(16) -- Hydrostatic Test Certification Record.

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: 1,275,500.

Estimated Time Per Respondent: 15 minutes.

Total Burden Hours: 318,750.

Total Annualized capital/startup costs: 0.

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

Description: The requirement for the hydrostatic testing of portable fire extinguishers shells according to an established schedule found at 29 CFR 1910.157, Table L-1. OSHA further requires the employer to provide evidence of the test including the date of the test, the identification of the person making the test and the unique identification number of the unit tested. The employer must provide this information to OSHA upon request.

Agency: Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

Title: Shipyard Certification Records (29 CFR 1915.113(b)(1) and 29 CFR 1915.172(d) -- Test Certifications.

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

Frequency: Quarterly, Yearly.

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

Number of Respondents: 900.

Estimated Time Per Respondent: 0.17 hour.

Total Burden Hours: 1,846.

Total Annualized capital/startup costs: 0.

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

Description: The standard for shackles and hooks (29 CFR 1915.113) requires that all hooks for which no applicable manufacturer's recommendations are available shall be tested to twice their intended safe work load before they are initially put into use and that the employer shall maintain a certification record. The standard for portable air receivers (29 CFR 1915.172) requires that portable, unfired pressure vessels, not built into the code requirements of 1915.172(a) shall be examined quarterly by a competent person and that they be subjected yearly to a hydrostatic pressure test of one and one-half times the working pressure of the vessels. A certification record of these examinations and tests shall be maintained.

Agency: Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

Title: Slings (29 CFR 1910.184) -- Certification Records.

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: 975,000.

Estimated Time Per Respondent: 0.58 hours.

Total Burden Hours: 26,775.

Total Annualized capital/startup costs: 0.

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

Description: The standard requires that an employer make and retain a record of the most recent month in which early alloy steel chain sling was thoroughly inspected, that all new alloy steel chain slings be proof tested with certification records, that all new wire rope slings that have welded end attachments be proof tested by the manufacturer and a certificate of the proof test retained by the employer, and that metal mesh slings that are repaired be proof tested and either marked, tagged or a certification record prepared and maintained.

Agency: Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

Title: Overhead and Gantry Cranes (29 CFR 1910.179(j)(2)(iii); (j)(2)(iv), (m)(1), and (m)(2)) -- Inspection Certifications.

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

Frequency: Monthly.

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

Number of Respondents: 35,000.

Estimated Time Per Respondent: 0.30 hour.

Total Burden Hours: 367,528.

Total Annualized capital/startup costs: 0.

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

Description: The inspection certifications required in 29 CFR 1910.179(j)(2)(iii), (j)(2)(iv), (m)(1), and (m)(2) are necessary to assure compliance with the requirements for overhead and gantry cranes. They are intended to assure that these cranes have periodic and recorded maintenance checks.

Agency: Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

Title: Crawler, Locomotive and Truck Cranes (29 CFR 1910.180(d)(6), (g)(1) and (g)(2)(ii)) -- Inspection Certifications.

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

Frequency: Monthly.

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

Number of Respondents: 20,000.

Estimated Time Per Respondent: 1(1/2) hours.

Total Burden Hours: 174.015.

Total Annualized capital/startup costs: 0.

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

Description: The major purpose of these information collection requirements is to provide information which can be used to properly maintain crawler locomotive and truck cranes and to ensure safe operating conditions for employees. Specifically, it is required for the employer to establish certification records which indicate that the cranes have been inspected in accordance with the requirements in the standard.

Agency: Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

Title: Derricks (29 CFR 1910.181(g)(1)) and (g)(3)) -- Inspection Certifications.

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

Frequency: Monthly.

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

Number of Respondents: 10,000.

Estimated Time Per Respondent: 0.58 hour.

Total Burden Hours: 28,508.

Total Annualized capital/startup costs: 0.

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

Description: It is required for the employer to establish a certification record that the equipment has been inspected in accordance with the requirements specified in the standard in order to maintain the derricks in a safe, reliable condition. The collection of information will be used to determine if employers are in compliance with the standard.

Agency: Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

Title: Testing of Materials Used in Roll-Over Protective Structures (ROPS) Certification (29 CFR 1926.1001(e)(3) and 29 CFR 1926.1002(d)(6)).

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

Frequency: On occasion.

Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.

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: In the construction standard for scrapers, loaders, dozers, graders, and tractors OSHA requires that the material used in roll-over protective structures (ROPS) have a one-time test. The tests are intended to minimize the possibility of operator injury resulting from accidents during normal operation or ROPS. Upon reconsideration, the Agency no longer believes that the term "certification" as used in the provision implies a paperwork burden since there is no explicit requirement for information collection regarding that testing.

Agency: Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

Title: Crawler, Truck, and Locomotive Cranes Inspection Certification (29 CFR 1926.550(b)(2)).

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

Frequency: On occasion.

Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.

Number of Respondents: 947,000.

Estimated Time Per Respondent: 30 minutes.

Total Burden Hours: 1,420,500.

Total Annualized capital/startup costs: 0.

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

Description: The construction standard on crawler, truck, and locomotive cranes requires employers to conduct tests, inspections, and maintenance checks and retain records for the cranes of this type that their employees use. The certification records, which attest to the safety of the cranes, are necessary to ensure compliance with the standards.

Agency: Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

Title: Proof Testing of Welded End Wire Rope Attachments (29 CFR 1926.251).

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

Frequency: On occasion.

Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.

Number of Respondents: 947,000.

Estimated Time Per Respondent: 5 minutes.

Total Burden Hours: 1,515.

Total Annualized capital/startup costs: 0.

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

Description: The construction standard on rigging equipment for material handling requires employers to retain a certificate of the proof test performed on welded end wire rope attachments. The certification, prepared by the manufacturer or other equivalent entity, attests to the safety of the attachments after welding by testing them at twice their rated capacity.

Agency: Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

Title: Trucks Used Underground to Transport Explosives (29 CFR 1926.903(e)) -- Inspection Certifications.

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

Frequency: On occasion.

Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.

Number of Respondents: 1.

Estimated Time Per Respondent: 10 minutes every week.

Total Burden Hours: 9.

Total Annualized capital/startup costs: 0.

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

Description: The construction standard on underground transportation of explosives requires certification of a weekly maintenance inspection of trucks used for this purpose. The inspection certification, which attests to the safety of the truck's electrical system, is necessary to ensure compliance with the standard.

Agency: Occupation Safety and Health Administration.

Title: Construction Records for Blasting Operations (29 CFR 1926.900(k)(3)(I).

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

Frequency: On occasion.

Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.

Number of Respondents: 3,000.

Estimated Time Per Respondent: 8 hours, once per 160 work sites.

Total Burden Hours: 1,280.

Total Annualized capital/startup costs: 0.

Total annual costs (operating/maintaining systems or purchasing services): $240.000.

Description: The construction standard on blasting operations requires employers to post warning signs or use other alternative means to prevent premature detonation of electric blasting caps and explosives attached to them by mobile radio transmitters. A written description of the alternative means (measures) to be taken must be prepared.

Theresa M. O'Malley,
Departmental Clearance Officer.

[FR Doc. 97-26302 Filed 10-2-97; 8:45 am]