[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 156 (Thursday, August 13, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 43424-43425]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-21785]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Occupational Safety and Health Administration
[Docket No. ICR-98-32]


Control of Hazardous Energy Sources (Lockout/Tagout) (29 CFR 
1910.147); 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 the Control of 
Hazardous Energy Sources (Lockout/Tagout) (29 CFR 1910.147). The Agency 
is particularly interested in comments that:
     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 October 13, 
1998.

ADDRESSES: Comments are to be submitted to the Docket Office, Docket 
No. ICR-98-32, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, U.S. 
Department of Labor, Room N-2625, 200 Constitution Avenue, 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:
Theda Kenney, Directorate of Safety Standards Programs, Occupational 
Safety and Health Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, Room N-
3605, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 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 the Control of Hazardous Energy (Lockout/Tagout), contact 
OSHA's WebPage on the Internet at http://www.osha.gov and click on 
``Regulations and Compliance.''

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 collections of information contained in the standard on the 
Control of Hazardous Energy Sources (Lockout/Tagout) are needed to 
reduce injuries and deaths in the workplace that occur when employees 
are engaged in maintenance, repair, and other service related 
activities requiring the control of potentially hazardous energy. The 
employer will use the information in the procedures he or she develops 
to provide employees with a clear understanding of uniform and safe 
methods for the application and removal of energy control measures 
involving work on machines or equipment, thereby, reducing accident 
probability. In addition, the information will be used by employers to 
enable them to pinpoint methods and operations currently in use that 
may require additional attention. The failure to provide and maintain 
access to this information will significantly impair OSHA's effort to 
control or reduce injuries and fatalities in the workplace that are 
associated with these activities and conditions.

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 Control of 
Hazardous Energy Sources (Lockout/Tagout) standard.
    Type of Review: Extension of a Currently Approved Collection.
    Agency: U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health 
Administration.
    Title: Control of Hazardous Energy Sources (Lockout/Tagout) (29 CFR 
1910.147).

[[Page 43425]]

    OMB Number: 1218-0150.
    Agency Number: Docket Number ICR-98-32.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit; Not for-profit 
institutions; Federal Government; State, local or tribal Government.
    Number of Respondents: 462,340.
    Frequency: Varies (Initially, Yearly, On Occasion).
    Average Time per Response: Varies from .15 seconds (.004 hr.) to 
2.5 hours.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 818,098.
    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 5th day of August 1998.
Charles N. Jeffress,
Assistant Secretary of Labor.
[FR Doc. 98-21785 Filed 8-12-98; 8:45 am]
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