[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 207 (Friday, October 25, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 65605-65606]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-27209]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment Standards Administration


Proposed Collection; Comment Request

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 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 (PRA95) [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 the impact of 
collection requirements on respondents can be properly assessed. 
Currently, the Employment Standards Administration is soliciting 
comments concerning two proposed information collections of the Office 
of Workers' Compensation Programs (OWCP), Division of Longshore and 
Harbor Workers' Compensation (DLSHWC): ``Payment of Compensation 
Without Award'' (LS-206); and ``Notice of Controversion of Right to 
Compensation'' (LS-207). Copies of the proposed information collection 
requests can be obtained by contacting the office listed below in the 
addresses section of this Notice.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted to the office listed in the 
addresses section below on or before December 24, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Ms. Patricia A. Forkel, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 
Constitution Ave., NW., Room S-3201, Washington, DC 20210, telephone 
(202) 693-0339, fax (202) 693-1451, e-mail esa.gov">[email protected]esa.gov. 
Please use only one method of transmission for comments (mail, fax, or 
e-mail).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    The Office of Workers' Compensation Programs administers the 
Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act (LHWCA). The Act 
provides benefits to workers injured in maritime employment on the 
navigable waters of the United States or in an adjoining area 
customarily used by an employee in loading, unloading, repairing, or 
building a vessel. Under Sections 14(b) and (c) of the Act, a self-
insured employer or insurance carrier is required to pay compensation 
within 14 days after the employer has knowledge of the injury or death 
of the employee. Upon making the first payment, the employer or carrier 
shall immediately notify the Longshore district director of the 
payment. Form LS-206 has been designated as the proper form on which 
report of first payment is to be made.
    Pursuant to section 14(d) of the Act, if an employer controverts 
the right to compensation, he/she shall file with the Longshore deputy 
commissioner in the affected compensation district on or before the 
fourteenth day after he/she has knowledge of an alleged injury or 
death, a notice, in accordance with a form prescribed by the Secretary 
of Labor, stating that the right to compensation is controverted. The 
LS-207 is used for this purpose. These

[[Page 65606]]

information collections are currently approved for use through February 
28, 2003.

II. Review Focus

    The Department of Labor 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.

III. Current Actions

    The Department of Labor seeks the extension of approval to collect 
this information in order to carry out its responsibility to meet the 
statutory requirements to provide compensation or death benefits under 
the Act to workers covered under the Act. There is no change in the 
substance or method of collection since the last OMB approval.
    Type of Review: Extension.
    Agency: Employment Standards Administration.
    Title: Payment of Compensation Without Award.
    OMB Number: 1215-0022.
    Agency Number: LS-206.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
    Total Respondents: 900.
    Total Responses: 26,100.
    Frequency: On occasion.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 6,525.
    Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0.
    Total Burden Cost (operating/maintenance): $10,440.

    Type of Review: Extension.
    Agency: Employment Standards Administration.
    Title: Notice of Controversion of Right to Compensation.
    OMB Number: 1215-0023.
    Agency Number: LS-207.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
    Total Respondents: 900.
    Total Responses: 18,900.
    Frequency: On occasion.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 4,725.
    Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0.
    Total Burden Cost (operating/maintenance): $7,985.25.
    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized 
and/or included in the request for Office of Management and Budget 
approval of the information collection request; they will also become a 
matter of public record.

    Dated: October 21, 2002.
Margaret J. Sherrill,
Chief, Branch of Management Review and Internal Control, Division of 
Financial Management, Office of Management, Administration and 
Planning, Employment Standards Administration.
[FR Doc. 02-27209 Filed 10-24-02; 8:45 am]
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