[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 189 (Friday, September 27, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Page 50878]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-24830]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Submission for OMB Emergency Review; Comment Request

September 23, 1996.
    The Department of Labor has submitted the Hazard Communication 
Information Collection Request (ICR), utilizing emergency review 
procedures, to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and 
clearance in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. 
L. 104-13, 44 U.S.C. Chapter 35). OMB approval has been requested by 
September 30, 1996.
    In accordance with 5 CFR 1320.8(d)(1) the Occupational Safety and 
Health Administration (OSHA) published a 60-day preclearance Federal 
Register notice (61 FR 10384) on March 13, 1996, inviting public 
comment. Due to extensive coordination efforts with the National 
Advisory Committee on Occupational Safety and Health (NACOSH), OSHA is 
now completing the analysis of all public comments received. Following 
final review of all public comments the ICR will be submitted to the 
Office of Management and Budget in accordance with 5 CFR 1320.12.
    A copy of this emergency review ICR, with applicable supporting 
documentation, may be obtained by calling the Department of Labor 
Acting Departmental Clearance Officer, Theresa M. O'Malley ({202} 219-
5095).
    Comments and questions concerning this emergency review Hazard 
Communication ICR should be forwarded to the Office of Information and 
Regulatory Affairs, Attn: OMB Desk Officer for OSHA, Office of 
Management and Budget, Room 10235, Washington, DC 20503 ({202} 395-
7316).
    The Office of Management and Budget 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 clarify 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.
    Agency: Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
    Title: Hazard Communication.
    OMB Number: 1218-0072.
    Frequency: On occasion.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit, Federal government 
and State, Local or Tribal governments.
    Number of Respondents: 5,041,918.
    Estimated Time per Respondent: Time per response ranges from 12 
seconds to affix labels to containers containing hazardous chemicals to 
5 hours to develop a hazard communication program.
    Total Burden Hours: 13,201,863.
    Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): 0.
    Total Burden Cost (operating/maintaining): 0.
    Description: The Hazard Communication Standard and its information 
collection requirements are designed to ensure that the hazards of all 
chemicals produced or imported are evaluated and that information 
concerning their hazards is transmitted to employees and downstream 
employers. The standard requires chemical manufacturers and importers 
to evaluate chemicals they produce or import to determine if they are 
hazardous; for those chemicals determined to be hazardous, material 
safety data sheets and warning labels must be developed. Employers are 
required to establish hazard communication programs, to transmit 
information on the hazards of chemicals to their employees by means of 
labels on containers, material safety data sheets and training 
programs. Implementation of these collection of information 
requirements will ensure all employees have the ``right-to-know'' the 
hazards and identities of the chemicals they work with and will reduce 
the incidence of chemically-related occupational illnesses and 
injuries.
Theresa M. O'Malley,
Acting Departmental Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 96-24830 Filed 9-26-96; 8:45 am]
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