[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 108 (Wednesday, June 5, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 38674-38675]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-14065]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Occupational Safety and Health Administration

[Docket No. ICR-1218-0217]


Blasting Operations; Extension of the Office of Management and 
Budget's (OMB) Approval of Information-Collection (Paperwork) 
Requirements

AGENCY: Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Labor.

ACTION: Request for comment.

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SUMMARY: OSHA solicits public comment concerning its request to extend 
OMB approval of the information-collection requirement specified in 
paragraph (k)(3)(i) of the Blasting Operations Standard for 
Construction (29 CFR 1926.900); this paragraph requires employers to 
post signs warning against the use of mobile radio transmitters near 
blasting operations or to certify and maintain records of alternative 
means developed to prevent the premature detonation of electric 
blasting caps by mobile radio transmitters.

DATES: Submit written comments on or before August 5, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Submit written comments to the Docket Office, Docket No. 
ICR-1218-0217(2002), OSHA, U.S. Department of Labor, Room N-2625, 200 
Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20210; telephone: (202) 693-
2350. Commenters may transmit written comments of 10 pages or less by 
facsimile to: (202) 693-1648.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kathleen M. Martinez, Directorate of 
Policy, Office of Regulatory Analysis, OSHA, U.S. Department of Labor, 
Room N-3627, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20210; 
telephone: (202) 693-1953. A copy of the Agency's Information-
Collection Request (ICR) supporting the need for the information 
collections specified by the Blasting Operation Standard is available 
for inspection and copying in the Docket Office, or by requesting a 
copy from Todd Owen at (202) 693-2444. For electronic copies of the ICR 
contact OSHA on the Internet at 
http://www.osha.gov/comp-links.html and select ``Information Collection 
Requests.''

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    The Department of Labor, as part of its continuing effort to reduce 
paperwork and respondent (i.e., employer) burden, conducts a 
preclearance consultation program to provide the public with an

[[Page 38675]]

opportunity to comment on proposed and continuing information-
collection requirements in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act 
of 1995 (PRA-95) (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)). This program ensures that 
information is in the desired format, reporting burden (time and cost) 
is minimal, collection instruments are clearly understood, and OSHA's 
estimate of the information-collection burden is correct.
    Paragraph (k)(3)(i) of this Standard requires a prominent display 
of adequate warning signs against the use of mobile transmitters. If 
the signs are infeasible, an alternative method needs to be developed 
to prevent premature detonation.

II. Special Issues for Comment

    OSHA has a particular interest in comments on the following issues:
     Whether the proposed information-collection requirements 
are necessary for the proper performance of the Agency's functions, 
including whether the information is useful;
     The accuracy of OSHA's estimate of the burden (time and 
cost) of the information-collection requirements, including the 
validity of the methodology and assumptions used;
     The quality, utility, and clarity of the information 
collected; and
     Ways to minimize the burden on employers who must comply; 
for example, by using automated or other technological information-
collection and -transmission techniques.

III. Proposed Actions

    OSHA proposes to extend OMB's previous approval of the 
recordkeeping (paperwork) requirement specified in paragraphs (k)(3)(i) 
of the Blasting Operation Standard for Construction (29 CFR 1926.900). 
The Agency will summarize the comments submitted in response to this 
notice, and will include this summary in its request to OMB to extend 
the approval of this information-collection requirement.
    Type of Review: Extension of currently approved information-
collection requirements.
    Title: Blasting Operations.
    OMB Number: 1218-0217.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit; not-for-profit 
institutions; Federal government; State, local or tribal governments.
    Number of Respondents: 160.
    Frequency of Response: On Occasion.
    Total Responses: 160.
    Average Time per Response: 8 hours.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 1,280.
    Estimated Cost (Operation and Maintenance): $1,704,000.

IV. Authority and Signature

    John L. Henshaw, Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational 
Safety and Health, directed the preparation of this notice. The 
authority for this notice is the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 
U.S.C. 3506) and Secretary of Labor's Order No. 3-2000 (65 FR 50017).

    Signed at Washington, DC., on May 30, 2002.
John L. Henshaw,
Assistant Secretary of Labor.
[FR Doc. 02-14065 Filed 6-4-02; 8:45 am]
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