[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 227 (Wednesday, November 25, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 65277-65278]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-31480]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Research and Special Programs Administration
[Notice No. 98-10]


Information Collection Activities

AGENCY: Research and Special Programs Administration (RSPA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, RSPA 
invites comments on certain information collections pertaining to 
hazardous materials transportation for which RSPA intends to request 
renewal from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

DATES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before 
January 25, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Address written comments to the Dockets Unit, Room PL 401, 
Research and Special Programs Administration, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 400 Seventh St., SW, Washington, DC 20590-0001. 
Comments may also be submitted by e-mail to: rules @ rspa.dot.gov, or 
faxed to (202) 366-3753. Comments should identify the Notice number 
(98-10) and the appropriate Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 
Control Number(s). Mailed written comments should be submitted in two 
copies. Persons wishing to receive confirmation of receipt of their 
mailed written comments should include a self-addressed, stamped 
postcard showing the Notice number. The Dockets Unit is located on the 
Plaza Level of the Nassif Building at the U.S. Department of 
Transportation at the above address. Public information may be reviewed 
between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal holidays. Internet users may access all comments 
received by the U.S. Department of Transportation by using the 
Universal Resource Locator (URL) at http://dms.dot.gov. An electronic 
copy of the document may be downloaded using a modem and suitable 
communications software from the Government Printing Office's 
Electronic Bulletin Board Service at (202) 512-1661.
    Requests for a copy of an information collection should be directed 
to Deborah Boothe, Office of Hazardous Materials Standards (DHM-10), 
Research and Special Programs Administration, Room 8102, 400 Seventh 
Street, SW, Washington, DC 20590-0001, Telephone (202) 366-8553.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Deborah Boothe, Office of Hazardous 
Materials Standards (DHM-10), Research and Special Programs 
Administration, Room 8102, 400 Seventh Street, SW, Washington, DC 
20590-0001, Telephone (202) 366-8553.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 1320.8(d), Title 5, Code of Federal 
Regulations requires that RSPA provide interested members of the public 
and affected agencies an opportunity to comment on information 
collection and recordkeeping requests. This notice identifies 
information collections that RSPA is submitting to OMB for renewal and 
extension. These collections are contained in 49 CFR part 110, part 
130, and parts 171-180. RSPA has revised burden estimates, where 
appropriate, to reflect current reporting levels or adjustments based 
on changes in proposed or final rules published since the information 
collections were last approved. The following information is provided 
for each information collection: (1) Title of the information 
collection, including former title if a change is being made; (2) OMB 
control number; (3) summary of the information collection activity; (4) 
description of affected public; (5) estimate of total annual reporting 
and recordkeeping burden; and (6) frequency of collection. RSPA will 
request a three-year term of approval for each information collection 
activity and, when approved by OMB, publish notice of the approval in 
the Federal Register.
    RSPA requests comments on the following information collections:
    Title: Inspection and Testing of Portable Tanks and Intermediate 
Bulk Containers.
    OMB Control Number: 2137-0018.
    Summary: This information collection consolidates provisions for 
documenting qualifications, inspections, tests and approvals pertaining 
to the manufacture and use of portable tanks and intermediate bulk 
containers under various provisions of the Hazardous Materials 
Regulations (49 CFR Parts 171-180). It is necessary to ascertain 
whether portable tanks and intermediate bulk containers have been 
qualified, inspected and retested in accordance with the HMR. The 
information is used to verify that certain portable tanks and 
intermediate bulk containers meet required performance standards prior 
to their being authorized for use and to document periodic 
requalification and testing to ensure the packagings have not 
deteriorated due to age or physical abuse to a degree that would render 
them unsafe for the transportation of hazardous materials. Applicable 
sections are as follows: Sec. 173.32--retest, retest marking, and 
record retention for portable tanks; Sec. 173.32a--approval of IM 
portable tanks; Sec. 173.32b--periodic inspections and testing for IM 
portable tanks; Sec. 178.245-6--certification markings for DOT-51 
portable tanks; Sec. 178.245-7--manufacturer's data report for DOT-51 
portable tanks; Sec. 178.255-14--certification markings for DOT-60 
portable tanks; Sec. 178.255-15--manufacturer's data report for DOT-60 
portable tanks; Sec. 178.270-14--certification marking of IM portable 
tanks; Sec. 178.801--testing, retesting and recordkeeping for 
intermediate bulk containers; and Sec. 180.352--periodic retests and 
inspections for intermediate bulk containers.
    Affected Public: Manufacturers and owners of portable tanks and 
intermediate bulk containers.
    Recordkeeping: 
    Number of Respondents: 314.
    Total Annual Responses: 51,220.
    Total Annual Burden Hours: 51,340.
    Frequency of collection: On occasion.

    Title: Testing, Inspection and Marking Requirements for Cylinders.
    OMB Control Number: 2137-0022.
    Summary: Requirements in Sec. 173.34 for qualification, maintenance 
and use of cylinders require that cylinders be periodically inspected 
and retested to ensure continuing compliance with packaging standards. 
Information collection requirements address registration of retesters 
and marking of cylinders by retesters with their identification number 
and retest date following conduct of tests. Records showing the results 
of inspections and retests must be kept by the cylinder owner or 
designated agent until expiration of the retest period or until the 
cylinder is reinspected or retested, whichever occurs first. These 
requirements are intended to ensure that retesters have the 
qualifications to perform tests and to identify to cylinder fillers and 
users that cylinders are qualified for continuing use. Information 
collection requirements in Sec. 173.303 require that fillers of 
acetylene cylinders keep, for at least 30 days, a daily record of the 
representative pressure to which cylinders are filled.
    Affected Public: Fillers, owners, users and retesters of reusable 
cylinders.
    Annual Reporting Burden: 
    Number of Respondents: 139,352.
    Total Annual Responses: 153,287.
    Total Annual Burden Hours: 168,431.
    Frequency: On occasion.


[[Page 65278]]


    Title: Hazardous Materials Incident Reports.
    OMB Control Number: 2137-0039.
    Summary: This collection is applicable upon occurrence of incidents 
as prescribed in Secs. 171.15 and 171.16. Basically, a Hazardous 
Materials Incident Report, DOT Form F5800.1, must be completed by a 
carrier of hazardous materials when a hazardous material transportation 
incident occurs, such as a release of materials, serious accident, 
evacuation or highway shutdown. Serious incidents meeting criteria in 
Sec. 171.15 also require a telephonic report by the carrier. This 
information collection enhances the Department's ability to evaluate 
the effectiveness of its regulatory program, determine the need for 
regulatory changes, and address emerging hazardous materials 
transportation safety issues. The requirements apply to all interstate 
and intrastate carriers engaged in the transportation of hazardous 
materials by rail, air, water, and highway.
    Affected Public: Carriers of hazardous materials.
    Annual Reporting and Recordkeeping: 
    Number of Respondents: 803.
    Total Annual Responses: 22,500.
    Total Annual Burden Hours: 33,811.
    Frequency of collection: On occasion.

    Title: Flammable Cryogenic Liquids.
    OMB Control Number: 2137-0542.
    Summary: Provisions in Sec. 177.818 require the carriage on a motor 
vehicle of written procedures for venting flammable cryogenic liquids 
and for responding to emergencies. Paragraph (h) of Sec. 177.840 
specifies certain safety procedures and documentation requirements for 
drivers of these motor vehicles. These requirements are intended to 
ensure a high level of safety when transporting flammable cryogenics 
due to their extreme flammability and high compression ratio when in a 
liquid state.
    Affected Public: Carriers of cryogenic materials.
    Annual Reporting and Recordkeeping: 
    Total Respondents: 65.
    Total Annual Responses: 18,200.
    Total Annual Burden Hours: 1,213.
    Frequency of collection: On occasion.

    Title: Approvals for Hazardous Materials.
    OMB Control Number: 2137-0557.
    Summary: Without these requirements there is no means to: (1) 
determine whether applicants who apply to become designated approval 
agencies are qualified to evaluate package design, test packages, 
classify hazardous materials, etc.; (2) verify that various containers 
and special loading requirements for vessels meet the requirements of 
the HMR; and (3) assure that regulated hazardous materials pose no 
danger to life and property during transportation.
    Affected Public: Businesses and other entities who must meet the 
approval requirements in the HMR.
    Annual Reporting and Recordkeeping: 
    Total Respondents: 3,503.
    Total Annual Responses: 3,853.
    Total Annual Burden Hours: 18,302.
    Frequency of collection: On occasion.

    Title: Testing Requirements for Non-bulk Packaging (Formerly 
entitled Testing Requirements for Packaging).
    OMB Control Number: 2137-0572.
    Summary: Detailed packaging manufacturing specifications have been 
replaced by a series of performance tests that a non-bulk packaging 
must be capable of passing before it is authorized to be used for 
transporting hazardous materials. The HMR require proof that packagings 
meet these testing requirements. Manufacturers must retain records of 
design qualification tests and periodic retests. Manufacturers must 
notify, in writing, persons to whom packagings are transferred of any 
specification requirements that have not been met at the time of 
transfer. Subsequent distributors, as well as manufacturers must 
provide written notification. Performance-oriented packaging standards 
allow manufacturers and shippers much greater flexibility in selecting 
more economical packagings.
    Affected Public: Each non-bulk packaging manufacturer that tests 
packagings to ensure compliance with the HMR.
    Annual Reporting and Recordkeeping:
    Annual Respondents: 5,000.
    Annual Responses: 15,000.
    Annual Burden Hours: 30,000.
    Frequency of collection: On occasion.

    Title: Container Certification Statement.
    OMB Control Number: 2137-0582.
    Summary: Shippers of explosives, in freight containers or transport 
vehicles by vessel, are required to certify on shipping documentation 
that the freight container or transport vehicle meets minimal 
structural serviceability requirements. This requirement is intended to 
ensure an adequate level of safety for transport of explosives aboard 
vessel and ensure consistency with similar requirements in 
international standards.
    Affected Public: Shippers of explosives in freight containers or 
transport vehicles by vessel.
    Annual Reporting and Recordkeeping:
    Annual Respondents: 630.
    Annual Responses: 835,000 HM Containers & 4400 Explosive 
Containers.
    Annual Burden Hours: 13,989.
    Frequency of collection: On occasion.

    Title: Hazardous Materials Public Sector Training and Planning 
Grants.
    OMB Control Number: 2137-0586.
    Summary: Part 110 of 49 CFR sets for the procedures for 
reimbursable grants for public sector planning and training in support 
of the emergency planning and training efforts of States, Indian tribes 
and local communities to deal with hazardous materials emergencies, 
particularly those involving transportation. Sections in this part 
address information collection and recordkeeping with regard to 
applying for grants, monitoring expenditures, reporting and requesting 
modifications.
    Affected Public: State and local governments, Indian tribes.
    Annual Reporting and Recordkeeping:
    Annual Respondents: 66.
    Annual Responses: 1.
    Annual Burden Hours: 4,082.
    Frequency of collection: On occasion.

    Title: Response Plans for Shipments of Oil.
    OMB Control Number: 2137-0591.
    Summary: In recent years several major oil discharges damaged the 
marine environment of the United States. Under authority of the Federal 
Water Pollution Control Act, as amended by the Oil Pollution Act of 
1990, RSPA issued regulations in 49 CFR Part 130 that require 
preparation of written spill response plans.
    Affected Public: Carriers that transport oil in bulk, by motor 
vehicle or rail.
    Annual Reporting and Recordkeeping:
    Annual Respondents: 8,000.
    Annual Responses: 8,000.
    Annual Burden Hours: 10,560.
    Frequency of collection: On occasion.

    Issued in Washington, DC on November 19, 1998.
Edward T. Mazzullo,
Director, Office of Hazardous Materials Standards.
[FR Doc. 98-31480 Filed 11-24-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-60-P