[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 39 (Thursday, February 27, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8994-8995]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-4790]
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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
[[Page 8995]]
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 proposed
extension information collections: (1) the Notice of Final Payment or
Suspension of Compensation Benefits (LS-208) and (2) Request for
Earnings Information (LS-426).
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 April 28, 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: Ms. Margaret Sherrill, U.S. Department of Labor, 200
Constitution Ave., N.W., Room S-3201, Washington, D.C. 20210, telephone
(202) 219-7601. (This is not a toll-free number.), Fax 202-219-6592.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
Under Section 14(g) of the Longshore and Harbor Workers
Compensation Act (LHWCA), the employer or its insurance carrier must
file a report of the compensation paid to a claimant at the time final
payment is made. The Act requires that the form must be filed within
sixteen days of the final payment of compensation with the District
Director in the compensation district in which the injury occurred. The
form requests information regarding the beginning and ending dates of
compensation payments, compensation rates, reason payments were
terminated and types and amount of compensation payments. Filing of the
report is mandatory as failure to do so is subject to a civil penalty.
II. Current Actions
The Department of Labor (DOL) seeks extension of approval to
collect this information in order to carry out its responsibility to
notify Office of Workers' Compensation Programs (OWCP) District Offices
that payment of compensation benefits has been stopped or suspended in
a case. The report is required by law. If the report were not filed,
our offices would have no way to determine whether payments have been
suspended in a case and therefore would not be able to effectively
manage the case file and verify that the injured worker had received
all benefits that he/she is entitled to receive under the Act.
Type of Review: Extension.
Agency: Employment Standards Administration.
Title: Notice of Final Payment or Suspension of Compensation
Benefits.
OMB Number: 1215-0024.
Agency Numbers: LS-208.
Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
Total Respondents: 500.
Frequency: On occasion.
Total Responses: 28,000.
Average Time Per Response for Reporting: 15 minutes.
Estimated Total Burden Hours: 7,000.
Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): 0.
Total Burden Cost (operating/maintenance): $700.
I. Background
Pursuant to Section 8 of the LHWCA, injured employees shall receive
compensation in an amount equal to 66 and two-thirds percent of their
average weekly wage. Form LS-426 is used to verify the average weekly
wage of an injured employee to determine if the correct compensation
rate is being paid. Pursuant to Section 10 of the Act, the average
weekly wage of the injured employee may be determined by using those
wages earned in the occupation which the injury occurred or wages
earned in different occupations. Depending on whether similar or other
employment is involved, the average weekly wage will be determined
under either Section 10 (a), (b), or (c) of the Act.
II. Current Actions
The Department of Labor seeks extension of approval to collect this
information to assure that injured workers are paid at the proper
compensation rate. The form benefits the injured worker. It provides a
simple method for him/her to provide the OWCP with prior earnings
information. If the information were not collected, injured workers
would not be paid the proper compensation rate in all cases.
Type of Review: Extension.
Agency: Employment Standards Administration.
Title: Request for Earnings Information.
OMB Number: 1215-0112.
Affected Public: Individuals or households.
Total Respondents: 1,900.
Frequency: On occasion.
Total Responses: 1,900.
Average Time Per Response for Reporting: 15 minutes.
Estimated Total Burden Hours: 475.
Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0.
Total Burden Cost (operating/maintenance): $665.
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: February 21, 1997.
Cecily A. Rayburn,
Director, Division of Financial Management, Office of Management,
Administration and Planning, Employment Standards Administration.
[FR Doc. 97-4790 Filed 2-26-97; 8:45 am]
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