[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 177 (Wednesday, September 14, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 54409-54410]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-18215]


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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 Final Payment or 
Suspension of Compensation Benefits (LS-208). 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 November 14, 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 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 Section 914(g) of the Longshore Act, the 
employer or its insurance carrier must file a report of the 
compensation paid to a claimant at the time final payment is made. The 
Act requires that the form must be filed within 16 days of the final 
payment of compensation with the District Director in the compensation 
district in which the injury occurred. Form LS-208 requests information 
regarding the beginning and ending dates of compensation payments, 
compensation rates, reason payments were terminated and types and 
amounts of compensation payments. 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:

[[Page 54410]]

     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 
notify OWCP district offices that payment of compensation benefits has 
been stopped or suspended in a case. The report is required by law. The 
report is necessary for OWCP to determine whether benefits have been 
suspended in a case and to effectively manage the case file and verify 
that the injured worker has received all benefits to which he/she is 
entitled to under the Act.
    Type of Review: Extension.
    Agency: Employment Standards Administration.
    Titles: Notice of Final Payment or Suspension of Compensation 
Benefits.
    OMB Number: 1215-0024.
    Agency Numbers: LS-208.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
    Total Respondents: 500.
    Total Annual Responses: 22,722.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 5,681.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 15 minutes.
    Frequency: On Occasion.
    Total Burden Cost (Capital/Startup): $0.
    Total Burden Cost (Operating/Maintenance): $16,353.00.
    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: September 8, 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. 05-18215 Filed 9-13-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-CF-P