[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 15 (Thursday, January 23, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 3531-3532]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-1668]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Employment Standards Administration


Proposed Collection; Comment Request

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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 two (2) information collections: the proposed 
extension of (1) Optional Use Payroll Form Under the Davis-Bacon Act, 
WH-347 and (2) Requests for Medical Reports, LS-158, LS-415, and LS-
525. Copies of the proposed information collection requests can be 
obtained by contacting the office 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 March 25, 1997. 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.

ADDRESSES: For the Davis-Bacon form submission, contact Mr. Rich Elman, 
U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Ave., N.W., Room S-3201, 
Washington, D.C. 20210, telephone (202) 219-6375.
    For the Longshore medical reports submission, contact Ms. Margaret 
J.

[[Page 3532]]

Sherrill at the same office address above, telephone (202) 219-7601. 
(The telephone numbers are not toll-free; FAX 202-219-6592.)

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Background

    The Copeland Act (40 U.S.C. 276c) requires contractors and 
subcontractors performing work on Federally financed or assisted 
construction contracts to ``furnish weekly, statement with respect to 
the wages paid each employee during the preceding week.'' Section 
5.5(a)(3)(ii) of Regulations, 29 CFR Part 5, provides that contractors 
submit weekly a copy of all payrolls to the Federal agency contracting 
for or financing the construction project. Form WH-347, Optional Use 
Payroll Form, was developed for contractor use in meeting these payroll 
requirements. It is a report form requiring basic payroll information 
to be furnished by all covered employers each week that any work 
covered by the Davis-Bacon and Related Acts is performed. The completed 
form is submitted weekly to the contracting agency or copies of the 
contractor's payroll containing all the required information may be 
submitted instead.

II. Current Actions

    The Department of Labor seeks extension of approval to collect this 
information in order to enable contractors and subcontractors (using 
optional form, WH-347) to certify their payrolls, attesting that proper 
wage rates and fringe benefits have been paid to their employees 
performing work on contracts covered by Davis-Bacon and Related Acts. 
If this information was not collected, contracting officials and Wage 
and Hour investigative staff would be unable to verify that legal rates 
have been paid and whether employees have been properly classified for 
the work they perform.
    Type of Review: Extension
    Agency: Employment Standards Administration
    Title: Optional Use Payroll Form Under the Davis-Bacon Act
    OMB Number: 1215-0149
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit; individuals or 
households; Federal government; State, Local or Tribal government
    Total Respondents: 113,022
    Frequency: Weekly
    Total Responses: 10,398,024
    Average Time Per Response for Reporting: 56 minutes
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 9,700,000
    Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0
    Total Burden Cost (operating/maintenance): $363,931

I. Background

    The Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act, as amended 
provides benefits to workers injured in maritime employment. In 
addition, several Acts extend Longshore Act coverage to certain other 
employees. The Secretary of labor is authorized, under the Act, to make 
rules and regulations to administer the Act and its extensions. Section 
7(b) of the Act (20 CFR 702.408) requires supervision of the medical 
care rendered to injured employees, require periodic reports as to the 
medical care being rendered, and provides authority to determine the 
necessity, character, and sufficiency of any medical aid furnished or 
to be furnished to an injured worker.
    Forms LS-158, LS-415, and LS-525 are used to request impartial 
medical examinations pursuant to the provisions of Section 7(a) and 
7(e) of the Act. The LS-158 and LS-415 are used to request an impartial 
physical examination of the employee (LS-158), and for the repair of 
artificial limbs issued to beneficiaries (LS-415). The form LS-525 is 
used for examinations involving audiometric testing otologic 
evaluation, and is forwarded to the physician by the program. Completed 
forms are used to assist in evaluating workers' claims for benefits.

II. Current Actions

    The Department of Labor seeks extension of approval to collect this 
information in order to provide the Office of Workers' Compensation 
Program with detailed medical evaluation to make decisions to award or 
continue compensation payments or benefits to Longshore workers. If the 
information was not collected, claimants would not be able to file for 
and receive Longshore benefits stipulated in the Act and amendments.
    Type of Review: Extension
    Agency: Employment Standards Administration
    Titles: Request for Medical Examination and Report; Request for 
Artificial Limb or Repairs; and, Request for an Examination of 
Employee's Hearing Ability (form letter).
    OMB Number: 1215-0106
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit; individuals or 
households
    Total Respondents: 2,520
    Frequency: On occasion
    Total Responses: 2,520
    Average Time per Response: 30 minutes
    Estimated Burden Hours: 1,260

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Form                                  Respondents      Responses     Burden hours 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LS-158..........................................................           1,000           1,000             500
LS-415..........................................................              20              20              10
LS-525..........................................................           1,500           1,500             750
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
    Total.......................................................           2,520           2,520           1,260
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0
    Total Burden Cost (operating/maintenance): $882.00
    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 requests; they will also become 
a matter of public record.

    Dated: January 17, 1997.
Cecily A. Rayburn,
Director, Division of Financial Management, Office of Management, 
Administration and Planning, Employment Standards Administration.
[FR Doc. 97-1668 Filed 1-22-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-27-M