[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 135 (Tuesday, July 15, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 37936]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-18550]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Occupational Safety and Health Administration
[Docket No. ICR-97-45]


Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request; Bloodborne Pathogens Standard

AGENCY: Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), 
Department of Labor.

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) [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 Occupational Safety and Health Administration is 
soliciting comments concerning the proposed extension of the 
information collection request for the Bloodborne Pathogen Standard 29 
CFR 1910.1030 and 1915.1030. 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.

DATES: Written comment must be submitted by September 15, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Comments are to be submitted to the Docket Office, Docket 
No. ICR-97-45, U.S. Department of Labor, Room N-2625, 200 Constitution 
Ave. NW., Washington, D.C. 20210, telephone (202) 219-7894. Written 
comments limited to 10 pages or fewer may also be transmitted by 
facsimile to (202) 219-5046.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Todd Owen, Directorate of Health Standard Programs, Occupational Safety 
and Health Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, Room N-3647, 200 
Constitution Ave., NW., Washington, D.C. 20210. Telephone: (202) 219-
7075. Copies of the referenced information collection request are 
available for inspection and copying in the Docket Office and will be 
mailed to persons who request copies by telephoning Todd Owen at (202) 
219-7075 or Barbara Bielaski at (202) 219-8076. For electronic copies 
of the Information Collection Request on Bloodborne Pathogen contact 
OSHA's Webpage on Internet at http://www.osha.gov/ and click on 
standards.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    The purpose of the Bloodborne Pathogen Standard and its information 
collection requirements are to provide protection to employees from 
adverse health effects associated with occupational exposure to 
bloodborne pathogens. The Standard requires that employers establish 
and maintain an exposure control plan, develop a housekeeping schedule, 
provide employees with Hepatitis B vaccinations, post exposure 
evaluation and medical follow-up, provide employees with information 
and training, and maintain medical and training records for prescribed 
periods. HIV and HBV Research Labs must also adopt or develop and 
annually review a biosafety manual.

II. Current Actions

    This notice requests an extension of the current Office of 
Management and Budget approval of the paperwork requirements in the 
Bloodborne Pathogen Standard. Extension is necessary to continue 
protection to employees from occupational exposure to bloodborne 
pathogens.
    Type of Review: Extension.
    Agency: Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
    Title: Bloodborne Pathogens 29 CFR 1910.1030 and 1915.1030.
    OMB Number: 1218-0180.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit, Federal government 
and State, Local or Tribal governments.
    Total Respondents: 511,805.
    Frequency: On occasion.
    Total Responses: 11,345,833.
    Average Time per Response: 0.46 hour.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 5,162,397.
    Total Annualized capital/startup costs: 0.
    Total initial annual costs: (operating/maintaining systems or 
purchasing services): $17,260.491 for Hepatitis B vaccines and post 
exposure follow-up).
    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized 
and included in the request for Office of Management and Budget 
approval of the information collection request. The comments will 
become a matter of public record.

    Dated: July 8, 1997.
Adam M. Finkel,
Director, Directorate of Health Standards Programs.
[FR Doc. 97-18550 Filed 7-14-97; 8:45 am]
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