[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 138 (Thursday, July 18, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 47408-47409]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-18124]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Occupational Safety and Health Administration

[Docket No. ICR-1218-0233 (2002)]


Construction Records for Rigging Equipment; 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.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: OSHA solicits public comment concerning its request to extend 
OMB approval of the information-collection requirements specified in 
paragraphs (b)(1), (b)(6)(i), (c)(15)(iii), (e)(1)(i), (ii), (iii), and 
(f)(2) of the Rigging Equipment for Construction Standard (29 CFR 
1926.251). These paragraphs require affixing identification tags or 
markings on rigging equipment, developing and maintain inspection 
records; and retaining proof-testing certificates.

DATES: Submit written comments on or before September 16, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Submit written comments to the Docket Office, Docket No. 
ICR-1218-0233(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 Rigging Equipment 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/com-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 
opportunity to comment on proposed

[[Page 47409]]

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.
    The Rigging Equipment in Construction Standard (i.e., ``the 
Standard'') specifies the seven paperwork requirements. The following 
section describes who uses the information collected under each 
requirement, as well as how they use it.

 Alloy Steel Chains, Paragraph (b)

    Paragraph (b)(1) requires that alloy steel chains have permanently 
affixed durable identification tags stating size, grade, rated capacity 
and sling manufacturer. Paragraph (b)(6)(i) requires the employer to 
make a thorough periodic inspection of alloy steel chain slings in use 
on a regular basis, but at least once a year. Paragraph (b)(6)(ii) 
requires the employer to make and maintain a record of the most recent 
month in which each alloy steel chain was inspected and make the record 
available for examination.

 End Attachments, Paragraph (c)

    Paragraph (c)(15)(ii) requires that all welded end attachments of 
wire rope slings be proof tested by the manufacturer at twice their 
rated capacity prior to initial use, and that the employer retain a 
certificate of the proof test and make it available for examination.

 Synthetic Webbing (Nylon, Polyester, and Polypropylene), 
Paragraph (e)

    Paragraphs (e)(1)(i), (ii), and (iii) requires that synthetic web 
slings be marked or coded to show the manufacturer's trademark, rated 
capacity for the type of hitch and type of synthetic web material.

 Shackles and Hooks, Paragraph (f)

    Paragraph (f)(2) requires that all hooks for which no applicable 
manufacturer's recommendations are available be tested to twice the 
intended safe working load before they are put into use. The employer 
shall maintain a record of the dates and results of the tests.

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) requirements specified in these paragraphs of 
the Rigging Equipment Standard (29 CFR 1926.251). 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: Rigging Equipment for Material Handling.
    OMB Number: 1218-0233.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit; not-for-profit 
institutions; Federal government; State, local or tribal governments.
    Number of respondents: 132,737.
    Frequency of Response: On occasion.
    Total Responses: 301,618.
    Average Time per Response: Average 3 minutes for an employer to 
maintain and disclose a certificate to 30 minutes for employer to 
acquire information and make a tag for a sling.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 56,235.
    Estimated Cost (Operation and Maintenance): $0.

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 July 12, 2002.
John L. Henshaw,
Assistant Secretary of Labor.
[FR Doc. 02-18124 Filed 7-17-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-26-M