[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 134 (Monday, July 14, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 37622-37623]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-18396]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Occupational Safety and Health Administration
[Docket No. ICR-97-25]


Construction Records for Blasting Operations

ACTION: Notice; proposed collection of information requests; submitted 
for public comment and recommendations.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Labor, as part of its continuing effort to 
reduce paperwork and respondent burdens is conducting 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 (PRA 95) (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 impact of collection 
requirements on respondents can be properly assessed. Currently, the 
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is soliciting 
comments on several requirements in 29 CFR 1926.900(k)(3)(I) which 
impose a burden on the employer to collect information related to the 
use of warning signs or other alternative means to prevent the 
premature detonation of electric blasting caps by mobile radio 
transmitters during blasting operations. The Agency 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.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before September 12, 
1997.

ADDRESSES: Comments are to be submitted to the Docket Office, Docket 
No. ICR-97-25, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, U.S. 
Department of Labor, Room N-2625, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW, 
Washington, D.C. 20210. Telephone: (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:
Mr. Laurence Davey, Directorate of Construction, Occupational Safety 
and Health Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, Room N-3621, 200 
Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. 20210, telephone: (202) 219-
7207. Copies of the referenced information collection request are 
available for inspection and copying in the Docket

[[Page 37623]]

Office and will be mailed to persons who request copies by telephoning 
Mr. Davey at (202) 219-7207, ext. 132, or Barbara Bielaski at (202) 
219-8076, ext. 142. For electronic copies of the Information Collection 
Request on the provisions of Blasting Operations, contact OSHA's 
WebPage on the Internet at http://www.osha.gov/ and click on standards.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (the Act) authorizes 
the promulgation of such health and safety standards as are necessary 
or appropriate to provide safe or healthful employment and places of 
employment. The statute specifically authorizes information collection 
by employers as necessary or appropriate for the enforcement of the Act 
or for developing information regarding the causes and prevention of 
occupational injuries, illnesses, and accidents.
    In Subpart U--Blasting and the Use of Explosives of OSHA's 
construction standards, employers are required to post a sign warning 
against the use of mobile radio transmitters on all roads within 1000 
feet of blasting operations. When this would create an ``operational 
handicap'' an alternative method must be developed and implemented that 
will prevent the premature detonation of electric blasting caps. The 
alternative method must be written down and a competent person must 
certify its adequacy. OSHA currently has approval from the Office of 
Management and Budget for the requirement that a competent person must 
certify the adequacy of the alternative method, and through this 
preclearance process invites comments on the need to continue this 
requirement and the burden hour estimates for this certification 
requirement. OSHA does not currently have approval for the requirement 
to post the warning sign or the requirement for the employer to 
``write'' down any alternative method of preventing premature 
detonations when the posting of warning signs would present an 
``operational Handicap''. OSHA also seeks comments on the need for 
these requirements and the burden estimates developed.

II. Current Actions

    This notice requests an extension of the current Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) approval of the certification requirements 
for blasting operations contained in 29 CFR 1926.900(k)(3)(i) which is 
currently approved under OMB Control No. 1218-0210). In addition this 
notice requests comment on OSHA's request for OMB approval of the other 
two collections of information in the blasting operation sections--the 
requirement to post a warning sign and the requirement to write down 
the alternative system when warning signs cannot be used.
    Type of Review: Extension and Existing Collection Without OMB 
Approval.
    Agency: U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health 
Administration.
    Title: Blasting Operations (29 CFR 1926.900(k)(3)(i)--Inspection 
Certifications.
    Agency Number: Docket Number ICR-97-25.
    Affected Public: State or local governments; Business or other for-
profit.
    Number of Respondents: 3,000 work sites.
    Frequency: Once per 160 work sites.
    Average Time per Response: 8 hours.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 640.
    Total Annualized Capital/Startup Costs: $240,000.

    Signed at Washington, D.C., this 8th day of July 1997.
Russell B. Swanson,
Director, Directorate of Construction.
[FR Doc. 97-18396 Filed 7-11-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-26-M