[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 135 (Tuesday, July 15, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 37937]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-18551]



[[Page 37937]]

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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Occupational Safety and Health Administration
[Docket Number ICR-97-42]


Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request; Occupational Noise Exposure 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 Occupational noise exposure 
Standard 29 CFR 1910.95.
    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-97-42, 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 Barbara Bielaski at (202) 219-8076 or Todd Owen at (202) 
219-7075. For electronic copies of the Information Collection Request 
on Occupational noise exposure contact OSHA's Webpage on Internet at 
Http://www.osha.gov/ and click on standards.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    The purpose of the Occupational noise exposure Standard and its 
information collection requirements are to provide protection for 
employees from adverse health effects associated with occupational 
exposure to noise. The standard requires employers to establish and 
maintain accurate records of employee exposures to noise and 
audiometric testing performed in compliance with the standard. These 
records are used by the physician, employer, employee and the 
Government to determine whether occupation-related hearing loss has 
occurred, to prevent further deterioration of hearing, and to determine 
the effectiveness of the employer's hearing conservation program.

II. Current Actions

    This notice requests an extension of the current OMB approval of 
the paperwork requirements in the Occupational noise exposure Standard. 
Extension is necessary to continue to ensure protection for employees 
from occupational exposure to noise.
    Type of Review: Extension.
    Agency: Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
    Title: Occupational noise exposure 29 CFR 1910.95.
    OMB Number: 1218-0048.
    Agency Number: Docket Number ICR-97-45.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit, Federal government 
and State, Local or Tribal governments.
    Total Respondents: 379,512.
    Frequency: On occasion.
    Total Responses: 8,859,832.
    Average Time per Response: 0.58 hour.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 5,166,401.
    Total Annualized capital/startup costs: 0.
    Total initial annual costs: (operating/maintaining systems or 
purchasing services): $53,891,845.
    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 7, 1997.
Adam M. Finkel,
Director, Directorate of Health Standards Programs.
[FR Doc. 97-18551 Filed 7-14-97; 8:45 am]
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