[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 235 (Tuesday, December 8, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 67702-67703]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-32535]
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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
[Docket No. ICR-98-36]
Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection;
Comment Request; Consultation Agreements, 29 CFR Part 1908
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 pre-clearance
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 reinstatement of the information
collection requirement contained in 29 CFR Part 1908. 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 February 8,
1999.
ADDRESSES: Comments are to be submitted to the Docket Office, Docket
No. ICR-98-36, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, U.S.
Department of Labor, Room N-2625, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW,
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:
Francis Yebesi, Directorate of Federal-State Operations, Occupational
Safety and Health Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, Room N-
3700, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. 20210, telephone:
(202) 693-2213. 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 Francis Yebesi
at (202) 693-2233, or Barbara Bielaski at (202) 693-1954.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
Section 7(c)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Act
authorizes the Secretary of Labor to, ``with the consent of any State
or Political subdivision thereof, accept and use the services
facilities, and personnel of any agency of such state or subdivision
with reimbursement.'' Section 21(c) of the Act authorizes the Secretary
of Labor to ``consult with and advise employers and employees . . . as
to effective means of preventing occupational illnesses and injuries.''
To satisfy the intent of these and other sections of the OSH Act, the
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) codified the terms
that govern cooperative agreements between OSHA and State governments
whereby State agencies provide consultation services to private
employers to assist them in complying with the requirements of the
Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Act. The terms were codified as
the Consultation Program regulations (29 CFR part 1908).
The consultation regulations specify services to be provided and
practices and procedures to be followed by the state consultation
programs. Information collection requirements set forth in the
consultation regulations are in two categories: ``State
Responsibilities'' and ``Employer Responsibilities.'' Five regulatory
provisions require information collection activities by the State. The
Federal government provides 90 percent of funds for consultation
services under the terms of the cooperative agreement. Three
requirements apply to employers and specify conditions which the
employer must meet before receiving consultation services.
The Compliance Assistant Authorization Act of 1998 (H.R. 2864),
which amends section 21 of the OSH Act of 1970 by adding a new
paragraph (d), authorizes the Secretary of Labor to enter into
agreements with States to provide consultation services, and to
establish rules under which employers may qualify for inspection
exemption. OSHA plans to propose changes to 29 CFR part 1908 to achieve
the intent of H.R. 2864. Program modification resulting from H.R. 2864
(as implemented through changes to 29 CFR part 1908) entail additional
collection requirements.
II. Current Actions
This notice requests a reinstatement of the Office of Management
and Budget (OMB) approval of the Consultation Agreements (formerly OMB
Number 1218-0110).
[[Page 67703]]
Type of Review: Reinstatement.
Agency: U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health
Administration.
Title: Consultation Agreements.
OMB Number: 1218-0NEW (formerly 1218-0110).
Agency Number: Docket Number ICR-98-36.
Affected Public: State government designees and/or employers who
use State consultation services.
Frequency: On occasion.
Average Time Per Response:
State Government designees:
40 hours to prepare cooperative agreement.
17.5 hours to prepare files for review.
30 minutes to report failure to correct hazards.
5 minutes to prepare list of serious hazards and correction due
dates.
Employers using consultation service:
10 minutes to verify correction of hazards.
5 minutes to post list of serious hazards and correction due dates.
5 minutes to inform Compliance Safety and Health Officer (CSHO) of
consultation visit in progress.
3 minutes to post notice of participation in the Safety and Health
Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP).
Estimated Total Burden hours: 11,935.
Total Annualized Capital/Startup Costs: $0.
Signed at Washington, D.C., this 1st day of December 1998.
Charles N. Jeffress,
Assistant Secretary of Labor.
[FR Doc. 98-32535 Filed 12-7-98; 8:45 am]
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