[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 144 (Thursday, July 28, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 43718-43719]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-14903]


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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: Notice of Controversion of 
Right to Compensation (LS-207). 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 September 26, 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 Division of Longshore and Harbor Workers' 
Compensation administers the Longshore and Harbor Worker's Compensation 
Act. This 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. In addition, several acts extend 
Longshore Act coverage to certain other employees. Pursuant to sections 
914(d) of the Act, and 20 CFR 702.251, if an employer controverts the 
right to compensation he/she shall file with the district director in 
the affected compensation district on or before the fourteenth day 
after he/she has knowledge of the alleged injury or death, a notice, in 
accordance with a form prescribed by the Secretary, stating that the 
right to compensation is controverted. Form LS-207 is used for this 
purpose. Form LS-207 is used by insurance carriers and self-insured 
employers to controvert claims under the Longshore Act and extensions. 
The information is used by OWCP district offices to determine the basis 
for not paying benefits in a case. This information collection is 
currently approved for use through March 31, 2006.

[[Page 43719]]

    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 ensure payment of 
compensation or death benefits under the Act.
    Type of Review: Extension.
    Agency: Employment Standards Administration.
    Titles: Notice of Controversion of Right to Compensation.
    OMB Number: 1215-0023.
    Agency Numbers: LS-207.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
    Total Respondents: 750.
    Total Annual Responses: 15,750.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 3,938.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 15 minutes.
    Frequency: On occasion.
    Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0.
    Total Burden Cost (operating/maintenance): $7,011.00.
    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: July 21, 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. 05-14903 Filed 7-27-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-CF-P