[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 59 (Friday, March 26, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15906-15907]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-6848]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Occupational Safety and Health Administration

[Docket No. ICR-1218-0233(2004)]


Construction Records for Rigging Equipment for Material Handling; 
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 comment concerning its proposal to extend OMB 
approval of the information-collection requirements contained in 
paragraphs (b)(1), (b)(6)(i), (b)(6)(ii), (c)(15)(iii), (c)(1)(i), 
(ii), and (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: Comments must be submitted by the following dates: Hard Copy: 
Your comments must be submitted (postmarked or received) by May 25, 
2004.
    Faxcsimile and electronic transmission: Your comments must be 
received by May 25, 2004.

ADDRESSES:

I. Submission of Comments

    Regular mail, express delivery, hand-delivery, and messenger 
service: Submit your comments and attachments to the OSHA Docket 
Office, Docket No. ICR 1218-0233(2004), Room N-2625, U.S. Department of 
Labor, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20210. OSHA Docket 
Office and Department of Labor hours of operation are 8:15 a.m. to 4:45 
p.m., e.s.t.
    Facsimile: If your comments, including any attachments, are 10 
pages or fewer, you may fax them to the OSHA Docket Office at (202) 
693-1648. You must include the docket number, ICR 1218-0233(2004), in 
your comments.
    Electronic: You may submit comments, but not attachments, through 
the Internet at http://ecomments.osha.gov/.

II. Obtaining Copies of the Supporting Statement for the Information 
Collection Request

    The Supporting Statement for the Information Collection Request 
(ICR) is available for downloading from OSHA's Web site at http://www.osha.gov. The complete ICR, containing the OMB 83-I Form, 
Supporting Statement, and attachments is available for inspection and 
copying in the OSHA Docket Office, at the address listed above. A 
printed copy of the supporting statement can be obtained by contacting 
Todd Owen at (202) 693-2222.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Noah Connell, Directorate of 
Construction, OSHA, U.S. Department of Labor, Room N-3467, 200 
Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20210; telephone (202) 693-
2222.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Submission of Comments on This Notice and Internet Access to 
Comments and Submissions

    You may submit comments in response to this document by (1) hard 
copy, (2) FAX transmission (facsimile), or (3) electronically through 
the OSHA webpage. Please note you cannot attach

[[Page 15907]]

materials such as studies or journal articles to electronic comments. 
If you have additional materials, you must submit three copies of them 
to the OSHA Docket Office at the address above. The additional 
materials must clearly identify your electronic comments by name, date, 
subject and docket number so we can attach them to your comments. 
Because of security-related problems there may be a significant delay 
in the receipt of comments by regular mail. Please contact the OSHA 
Docket Office at (202) 693-2350 for information about security 
procedures concerning the delivery of material by express delivery, 
hand delivery and messenger service.

II. 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 and continuing information-
collection requirements in accordance with the Paperwork Reducton 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 costs) is minimized, collection instruments 
are understandable, and OSHA's estimate of the information-collection 
burden is correct.
    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 Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1910 (the 
Act) authorizes information collection by employers as necessary or 
appropriate for enforcement of the Act or for developing information 
regarding the causes and prevention of occupational injuries, 
illnesses, and accidents (29 U.S.C. 657). The Rigging Equipment in 
Construction Standard (i.e., ``the Standard'') specifies the 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 manufactures 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 twice before 
they are put into use. The employer shall maintain a record of the 
dates and results of the tests.

III. 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 to protect workers, including whether the information is 
useful;
     The accuracy of OSHA's estimate of the burden 
(time and costs) 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.

IV. Proposed Actions

    OSHA is proposing to extend the collection-of-information in 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 these information-collection requirements.
    Type of Review: Extension of a currently-approved information-
collection requirement.
    Title: Rigging Equipment for Material handling (29 CFR 
1926.25(b)(1), (b)(6)(i), (b)(6)(ii), (c)(15)(ii), (e)(1)(i), (ii), and 
(iii), and (f)(2).
    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: 1,327,370.
    Frequency of Recordkeeping: On occasion.
    Average Time Per Response: Average 3 minutes (.05 hour) for an 
employer to maintain and disclose a certificate to 30 minutes (.5 hour) 
for employer to acquire information and make a tag for a sling.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 56,335.
    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. 5-2002 (67 FR 65008).

    Signed at Washington, DC, on March 23, 2004.
John L. Henshaw,
Assistant Secretary of Labor.
[FR Doc. 04-6848 Filed 3-25-04; 8:45 am]
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