[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 100 (Wednesday, May 25, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Page 30141]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E5-2638]



[[Page 30141]]

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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: Payment of Compensation 
Without Award (LS-206). 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 July 25, 2005.

ADDRESSES: Ms. Hazel M. Bell, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 
Constitution Ave., NW., Room S-3201, Washington, DC 20210, telephone 
(202) 693-0418, fax (202) 693-1451, e-mail [email protected]. Please 
use only one method of transmission for comments (mail, fax, or e-
mail).

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 employer in loading, unloading, repairing or 
building a vessel. Under Sections 914(b) and (c) of the Longshore 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. Upon making the first payment, the employer or carrier 
shall immediately notify the district director of payment. Form LS-206 
has been designated as the proper form on which report of first payment 
is to be made. The LS-206 is also used by OWCP district offices to 
determine the payment status of a given case. This information 
collection is currently approved for use through March 31, 2006.

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 approval of the extension of this 
information collection 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.
    Type of Review: Extension.
    Agency: Employment Standards Administration.
    Titles: Payment of Compensation Without Award.
    OMB Number: 1215-0022.
    Agency Numbers: LS-206.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
    Total Respondents: 700.
    Total Annual responses: 24,500.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 6,125.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 15 minutes.
    Frequency: On Occasion.
    Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0.
    Total Burden Cost (operating/maintenance): $10,902.50.
    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: May 19, 2005.
Bruce Bohanon,
Chief, Branch of Management Review and Internal Control, Division of 
Financial Management, Office of Management, Administration and 
Planning, Employment Standards Administration.
[FR Doc. E5-2638 Filed 5-24-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-CF-P