[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 245 (Friday, December 20, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Page 78027]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-32099]


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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 the proposed collection: Request for Earnings 
Information (LS-426). A copy of the proposed information collection 
request 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 February 18, 2003.

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, Email esa.gov">[email protected]esa.gov. 
Please use only one method of transmission for comments (mail, fax, or 
Email).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    The Office of Workers' Compensation Programs (OWCP) 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. Pursuant to the LHWCA, injured employees shall 
receive compensation in an amount equal to 66\2/3\ per centum of their 
average weekly wage. Forms LS-426 is used to verify the average weekly 
wage of an injured employee to determine if the correct compensation 
rate is being paid. This information collection is currently approved 
for use through June 30, 2003.

II. Review Focus

    The Department of Labor is particularly interested in comments 
which:
    [sbull] 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;
    [sbull] 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;
    [sbull] Enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information 
to be collected; and
    [sbull] 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 assure 
payment of compensation benefits to injured workers at the proper rate. 
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: Request for Earnings Information.
    OMB Number: 1215-0112.
    Agency Number: LS-426.
    Affected Public: Individuals or households.
    Total Respondents/Responses: 1,600.
    Frequency: On occasion.
    Average Burden per Response: 15 minutes.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 400.
    Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0.
    Total Burden Cost (operating/maintenance): $640. 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: December 16, 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. 02-32099 Filed 12-19-02; 8:45 am]
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