[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 233 (Tuesday, December 5, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 70581-70583]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-20501]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration


Proposed Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment 
Request

AGENCY: Federal Railroad Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and its 
implementing regulations, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) 
hereby announces that it is seeking renewal of the following currently 
approved information collection activities. Before submitting these 
information collection requirements for clearance by the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB), FRA is soliciting public comment on 
specific aspects of the activities identified below.

DATES: Comments must be received no later than February 5, 2007.

ADDRESSES: Submit written comments on any or all of the following 
proposed activities by mail to either: Mr. Robert Brogan, Office of 
Safety, Planning and Evaluation Division, RRS-21, Federal Railroad 
Administration, 1120 Vermont Ave., NW., Mail Stop 17, Washington, DC 
20590, or Ms. Gina Christodoulou, Office of Support Systems, RAD-43, 
Federal Railroad Administration, 1120 Vermont Ave., NW., Mail Stop 35, 
Washington, DC 20590. Commenters requesting FRA to acknowledge receipt 
of their respective comments must include a self-addressed stamped 
postcard stating, ``Comments on OMB control number 2130-0526.'' 
Alternatively, comments may be transmitted via facsimile to (202) 493-
6230 or (202) 493-6170, or via e-mail to Mr. Brogan at 
[email protected], or to Ms. Christodoulou at 
[email protected]. Please refer to the assigned OMB control 
number in any correspondence submitted. FRA will summarize comments 
received in response to this notice in a subsequent notice and include 
them in its information collection submission to OMB for approval.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Robert Brogan, Office of Planning 
and Evaluation Division, RRS-21, Federal Railroad Administration, 1120 
Vermont Ave., NW., Mail Stop 17, Washington, DC 20590 (telephone: (202) 
493-6292) or Ms. Gina Christodoulou, Office of Support Systems, RAD-43, 
Federal Railroad Administration, 1120 Vermont Ave., NW., Mail Stop 35, 
Washington, DC 20590 (telephone: (202) 493-6139). (These telephone 
numbers are not toll-free.)

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), 
Public Law 104-13, section 2, 109 Stat. 163 (1995) (codified as revised 
at 44 U.S.C. 3501-3520), and its implementing regulations, 5 CFR part 
1320, require Federal agencies to provide 60-days notice to the public 
for comment on information collection activities before seeking 
approval for reinstatement or renewal by OMB. 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A); 
5 CFR 1320.8(d)(1), 1320.10(e)(1), 1320.12(a). Specifically, FRA 
invites interested respondents to comment on the following summary of 
proposed information collection activities regarding (i) whether the 
information collection activities are necessary for FRA to properly 
execute its functions, including whether the activities will have 
practical utility; (ii) the accuracy of FRA's estimates of the burden 
of the information collection activities, including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions used to determine the estimates; (iii) ways 
for FRA to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information 
being collected; and (iv) ways for FRA to minimize the burden of 
information collection activities on the public by automated, 
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or 
other forms of information technology (e.g., permitting electronic 
submission of responses). See 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)(i)-(iv); 5 CFR 
1320.8(d)(1)(i)-(iv). FRA believes that soliciting public comment will 
promote its efforts to reduce the administrative and paperwork burdens 
associated with the collection of information mandated by Federal 
regulations. In summary, FRA reasons that comments received will 
advance three objectives: (i) Reduce reporting burdens; (ii) ensure 
that it organizes information collection requirements in a ``user 
friendly'' format to improve the use of such information; and (iii) 
accurately assess the resources expended to retrieve and produce 
information requested. See 44 U.S.C. 3501.
    Below is a brief summary of the currently approved information 
collection activities that FRA will submit for clearance by OMB as 
required under the PRA:
    Title: Control of Alcohol and Drug Use in Railroad Operations.
    OMB Control Number: 2130-0526.
    Abstract: The information collection requirements contained in pre-
employment and ``for cause'' testing regulations are intended to ensure 
a sense of fairness and accuracy for railroads and their employees. The 
principal information--evidence of unauthorized alcohol or drug use--is 
used to prevent accidents by screening personnel who perform safety-
sensitive service. FRA uses the information to measure the level of 
compliance with regulations governing the use of alcohol or controlled 
substances. Elimination of this problem is necessary to prevent 
accidents, injuries, and fatalities of the nature already experienced 
and further reduce the risk of a truly catastrophic accident. Finally, 
FRA analyzes the data provided in the Management Information System 
annual report to monitor the effectiveness of a railroad's alcohol and 
drug testing program.
    Form Number(s): FRA F 6180.73, 6180.74, 6180.94A, 61880.94B.
    Affected Public: Businesses.
    Reporting Burden:

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                                                                                                                                           Total annual
              CFR section                  Respondent  universe     Total annual  responses       Average time per        Total annual     burden cost
                                                                                                      response            burden hours         ($)
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219.7--Waivers........................  100,000 employees........  2 letters................  2 hours.................                4             $140
219.9(b)(2)--Responsibility for         450 railroads............  2 requests...............  1 hour..................                2               70
 compliance.
219.9(c)(2)--Responsibility for         450 railroads............  10 contracts/docs........  2 hours.................               20              700
 compliance.
219.11(b)(2)--Gen'l conditions for      450 Medical Fac..........  1 document...............  15 minutes..............              .25                4
 chemical tests.
219.11(g) & 219.301(c)(2)(ii)--         5 railroads..............  5 programs...............  3 hours.................               15              525
 Training--Alcohol and Drug.

[[Page 70582]]

 
    --Training........................  50 railroads.............  50 training classes......  3 hours.................              150            5,250
219.23(d)--Notice to Employee           5 railroads..............  5 notices................  1 hour..................                5              175
 Organizations.
219.104/219.107--Removal from Covered   450 railroads............  20 letters...............  1 hour..................               20              700
 Svc..
219.201(c) Good Faith Determination...  450 railroads............  10 reports...............  30 minutes..............                5              175
219.203/207/209--Notifications by       450 railroads............  104 phone calls..........  10 minutes..............               17              595
 Phone to FRA.
219.205--Sample Collection and          450 railroads............  400 forms................  15 minutes..............              100            3,500
 Handling.
    --Form covering accidents/          450 railroads............  100 forms................  10 minutes..............               17              595
     incidents.
219.209(a)--Reports of Tests and        450 railroads............  80 phone rpts............  2 minutes...............                3              105
 Refusals.
219.209(c)--Records--Tests promptly     450 railroads............  40 records...............  30 minutes..............               20              700
 administered.
219.211(b)--Analysis and follow-up--    450 railroads............  8 reports................  15 minutes..............                2              200
 MRO.
219.302(f)--Tests not promptly          450 railroads............  200 records..............  30 minutes..............              100            3,500
 administered.
219.401/403/405--Voluntary referral     5 railroads..............  5 report policies........  20 hours................              100            3,500
 and Co-worker report policies.
219.405(c)(1)--Report by Co-worker....  450 railroads............  450 reports..............  5 minutes...............               38            1,330
219.403/405--SAP Counselor Evaluation.  450 railroads............  700 reports..............  30 minutes..............              350           12,250
219.601(a)--RR Random Drug Testing      5 railroads..............  5 programs...............  1 hour..................                5              175
 Programs.
    --Amendments......................  450 railroads............  20 amendments............  1 hour..................               20              700
219.601(b)(1)--Random Selection Proc.-- 450 railroads............  5,400 documents..........  4 hours.................           21,600          324,000
 Drug.
219.601(b)(4/; 219.601(d)--Notices to   5 railroads..............  100 notices..............  .5 minute...............                1               35
 Employees.
    --New Railroads...................  5 railroads..............  5 notices................  10 hours................               50            1,750
    --Employee Notices--Tests.........  450 railroads............  25,000 notices...........  1 minute................              417           14,595
219.603(a)--Specimen Security--Notice   20,000 employees.........  20 excuse doc............  15 minutes..............                5              145
 By Employee Asking to be Excused from
 Urine Testing.
219.607(a)--RR Random Alcohol Testing   5 railroads..............  5 programs...............  8 hours.................               40            1,400
 Programs.
    --Amendments to Approved Program..  450 railroads............  20 amendments............  1 hour..................               20              700
219.608--Administrator's Determination  53 railroads.............  53 MIS reports...........  2 hours.................              106            3,710
 of Random Alcohol Testing Rate.
219.707 9(c)(d) & 40.33--Review by MRO
 of Urine Drug Testing Results/
 Employee Notification.
    --Positive Drug Test Result.......  450 MROs.................  980 reports..............  2 hours.................            1,960          196,000
    --Copies of Positive Test Results   450 railroads............  980 tests................  15 minutes..............              245            3,675
     to Employees.
219.709--Retests--Written Request by    450 railroads............  10 letters...............  30 minutes..............                5              175
 Employee.
219.711(c) & 40.25(f)(22)(ii)--         100,000 employees........  60 letters...............  5 minutes...............                5              175
 Employee Consent.
219.801--Reporting Alcohol/Drug Misuse
 Prevention Program Results in a
 Management Info. System.
    --Alcohol/Drug Testing Management   53 railroads.............  25 forms.................  4 hours.................              100            3,500
     Info. System Data Collection Form.
    --Easy Data Collection Form--No     53 railroads.............  28 forms.................  2 hours.................               56            1,960
     Alcohol/Drug Misuse.
219.901/903--Retention of Breath        450 railroads............  100,500 records..........  5 minutes...............            8,375          125,625
 Alcohol Testing Records; Retention of
 Urine Drug Testing.
    --Summary Report of Breath Alcohol/ 450 railroads............  200 reports..............  2 hours.................              400            6,000
     Drug Test.
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    Respondent Universe: 450 railroads.
    Frequency of Submission: On occasion.
    Total Responses: 135,603.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden: 34,378 hours.
    Status: Regular Review.
    Pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 3507(a) and 5 CFR 1320.5(b), 
1320.8(b)(3)(vi), FRA

[[Page 70583]]

informs all interested parties that it may not conduct or sponsor, and 
a respondent is not required to respond to, a collection of information 
unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number.

    Authority: 44 U.S.C. 3501-3520.

    Issued in Washington, DC on November 29, 2006.
D.J. Stadtler,
Director, Office of Budget, Federal Railroad Administration.
 [FR Doc. E6-20501 Filed 12-4-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P