[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 191 (Tuesday, October 1, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51305-51306]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-25091]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Occupational Safety and Health 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) [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 Occupational Safety and Health Administration is 
soliciting comments concerning the proposed extension of the 
information collection request for the Benzene Standard 29 CFR 
1910.1028. A copy of the proposed information collection request (ICR) 
can be obtained by contacting the employee listed below in the 
addressee section of this notice.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted to the office listed in the 
addressee section below on or before December 2, 1996. The Department 
of Labor is particularly interested in comments which:
     Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information 
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 
technique or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting 
electronic submissions of responses.

ADDRESSES: Comments are to be submitted to the Docket Office, Docket 
No. ICR 96-12, U.S. Department of Labor, Room N-2625, 200 Constitution 
Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20210, telephone number (202) 219-7894. 
Written comments limited to 10 pages or less in length may also be 
transmitted by facsimile to (202) 219-5046.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Copies of the referenced information collection request are available 
for inspection and copying in the Docket Office and will be mailed 
immediately to persons who request copies by telephoning Vivian Allen 
at (202) 219-8076.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

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

II. Current Actions

    This notice requests an extension of the current OMB approval of 
the paperwork requirements in the Benzene Standard. Extension is 
necessary to provide continued protection to employees from the health 
hazards associated with occupational exposure to benzene.
    Type of Review: Extension.
    Agency: Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
    Title: Benzene.
    OMB Number: 1218-0129.
    Agency Number: Docket Number ICR 96-12.
    Affected Public: Business and other for-profit, Federal and State 
government, Local or Tribal governments.
    Total Respondents: 13,441.
    Frequency: On Occasion.
    Total Responses: 275,863.
    Average Time per Response: Time per response ranges from 5 minutes 
to maintain records to 4 hours to complete a referral medical 
examination.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 139,367.
    Estimated Capital, Operation/Maintenance Burden Cost: $7,895,301 
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.


[[Page 51306]]


    Dated: September 23, 1996.
John F. Martonik,
Deputy Director, Directorate of Health Standards Programs.
[FR Doc. 96-25091 Filed 9-30-96; 8:45 am]
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