[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 96 (Tuesday, May 19, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 27596-27597]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-13256]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Occupational Safety and Health Administration
[Docket No. ICR-98-22]


Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public 
Comment and Recommendations; OSHA Data Collection System (1218-0209)

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 OSHA Data Collection System. A 
copy of the proposed information collection request (ICR) 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 July 20, 1998. 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,

[[Page 27597]]

e.g., permitting electronic submissions of responses.

ADDRESSES: Comments are to be submitted to the Docket Office, Docket 
No. ICR 98-22, U.S. Department of Labor, Room N-2625, 200 Constitution 
Ave. NW, Washington, DC 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:
Dave Schmidt, Office of Statistics, Occupational Safety and Health 
Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, Room N3647, 200 Constitution 
Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20210, telephone: (202) 219-6463. 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 Dave Schmidt at (202) 219-
6463 or Barbara Bielaski at (202) 219-8076. For electronic copies of 
the OSHA Data Collection Initiative Request, contact OSHA's WebPage on 
the Internet at http://www.osha.gov/.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    To meet many of OSHA's program needs, OSHA is proposing to continue 
its data initiative to collect occupational injury and illness data and 
information on number of workers employed and number of hours worked 
from establishments in portions of the private sector. OSHA will 
collect 1998 data from 80,000 employers required to create and maintain 
records pursuant to CFR part 1904. These data will allow OSHA to 
calculate occupational injury and illness rates and to focus its 
efforts on individual workplaces with ongoing serious safety and health 
problems. Successful implementation of the data collection initiative 
is critical to OSHA's reinvention efforts and the data requirements 
tied to the Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA).

II. Current Actions

    This notice requests OMB approval of the paperwork requirements for 
the OSHA Data Collection System. Approval is necessary to ensure that 
the Agency continues to obtain establishment data necessary to carry on 
with the development and expansion of the new OSHA. This will allow the 
Agency to deal with a larger number of employers without massive 
increases in resources, will reduce intrusive interventions in 
workplaces that are relatively safe, and will lead to improved 
workplace safety and health for America's workers. In addition, OSHA 
will to be able to proceed with its GPRA requirements to monitor the 
results of Agency activities, quantify and evaluate the successes and 
failure of its various programs based on program results, identify the 
most efficient and effective program mix, and promote the development 
of programs and policies based on outcome data.
    Type of Review: Extension of currently approved collection.
    Agency: Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
    Title: OSHA Data Collection System.
    OMB Number: 1218-0209.
    Agency Number: ICR-98-22.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit and State, Local or 
Tribal Government.
    Cite/Reference/Form/etc.: OSHA Form 196A and OSHA Form 196B.
    Total Respondents: 80,000.
    Frequency: Annually.
    Average Time per Response: 30 minutes.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 35,000 hours.
    Comments submitted in response to this comment request will be 
summarized and/or included in the request for Office of Management and 
Budget approval of the information collection request; they will also 
become a matter of public record.

    Dated: May 12, 1998.
Charles N. Jeffress,
Assistant Secretary for Occupational Safety and Health.
[FR Doc. 98-13256 Filed 5-18-98; 8:45 am]
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