[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 123 (Friday, June 26, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 34933-34934]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-17102]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Occupational Safety and Health Administration
[Docket No. ICR-98-26]


Walking-Working Surfaces; Information Collection Requirements

ACTION: Notice; Opportunity for Public Comment.

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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 (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 concerning the proposed extension of the information 
collection requirements contained in the standard on Walking-Working 
Surfaces (29 CFR 1910.21-30). 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 August 25, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Comments are to be submitted to the Docket Office, Docket 
No. ICR-98-26, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, U.S. 
Department of Labor, Room N-2625,

[[Page 34934]]

200 Constitution Avenue, N.W., 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:
Theda Kenney, Directorate of Safety Standards Programs, Occupational 
Safety and Health Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, Room N-
3605, 200 Constitution Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20210, telephone: 
(202) 219-8061. A copy of the referenced information collection request 
is available for inspection and copying in the Docket Office and will 
be mailed to persons who request copies by telephoning Theda Kenney at 
(202) 219-8061, extension 100, or Barbara Bielaski at (202) 219-8076, 
extension 142. For electronic copies of the Information Collection 
Request on Walking-Working Surfaces (29 CFR 1910.21-30), contact OSHA's 
WebPage on the Internet at http://www.osha-slc.gov/.

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.
    The information collected is used by employers and employees to be 
aware of load limits of the floors of newly constructed buildings, the 
location of permanent aisles and passageways in these buildings, and 
defective portable metal ladders. Once the floor loading signs are 
posted, there is no need to change them unless structural conditions 
change or if the signs become lost, removed, or defaced. Once a 
portable metal ladder is marked as defective, it must be removed from 
service and either repaired or destroyed. Repaired portable metal 
ladders may be returned to service and the markings removed. The tags 
or signs used to mark the defective ladders may be used over and over 
again.
    Further, a copy of the drawings and specifications of an outrigger 
scaffold not constructed and erected in accordance with table D-16 of 
the standard and designed by a licensed professional engineer must be 
maintained by the employer. The drawings and specifications are used by 
the employer and OSHA compliance officers to show the sizes and spacing 
of members.

II. Current Actions

    This notice requests public comment on OSHA's burden hour estimates 
prior to OSHA seeking Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval of 
the information collection requirements contained in the Walking-
Working Surfaces standards (29 CFR 1910.21-30).
    Type of Review: Extension of a Currently Approved Collection.
    Agency: U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health 
Administration.
    Title: Walking-Working surfaces (29 CFR 1910.21-30).
    OMB Number: 1218-0199.
    Agency Number: Docket Number ICR-98-26.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit; Not-for-profit 
institutions; Federal government; State, local or tribal government.
    Number of Respondents: 60,500.
    Frequency: Initially, On Occasion.
    Average Time per Response: Varies from 0.5 to 2 hours.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 33,837.
    Total Annualized Capital/Startup Costs: 0.
    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized 
and included in the request for Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 
approval of the information collection request. The comments will 
become a matter of public record.

    Signed at Washington, D.C., this 22nd day of June 1998.
Charles N. Jeffress,
Assistant Secretary of Labor.
[FR Doc. 98-17102 Filed 6-25-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-26-M