[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 27 (Friday, February 9, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 6195-6196]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-2194]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Food Safety and Inspection Service

[Docket No. FSIS-2006-0042]


Notice of Request for a New Information Collection (Job Applicant 
Medical Information)

AGENCY: Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations, this notice 
announces the Food Safety and Inspection Service's (FSIS) intention to 
request approval for a new information collection regarding the medical 
history and status of certain job applicants.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received on or before April 10, 
2007.

ADDRESSES: FSIS invites interested persons to submit comments on this 
notice. Comments may be submitted by any of the following methods:
     Mail, including floppy disks or CD-ROM's, and hand- or 
courier-delivered items: Send to Docket Clerk, U.S. Department of 
Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service, 300 12th Street, SW., 
Room 102 Cotton Annex, Washington, DC 20250.
     Electronic mail: [email protected].
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: This Web site provides the 
ability to type short comments directly into the comment field on this 
Web page or attach a file for lengthier comments. Go to http://www.regulation.gov and in the ``Search for Open Regulations'' box,

[[Page 6196]]

select ``Food Safety and Inspection Service'' from the agency drop-down 
menu, then click on ``Submit.'' In the Docket ID column, select FDMS 
Docket Number FSIS-calendar year-docket number to submit or view public 
comments and to view supporting and related materials available 
electronically.
    All submissions received by mail or electronic mail must include 
the Agency name and docket number. All comments submitted in response 
to this document, as well as research and background information used 
by FSIS in developing this document, will be available for public 
inspection in the FSIS Docket Room at the address listed above between 
8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. Comments will also be posted on the Agency's Web site at 
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/regulations_&_policies/regulations_directives_&_notices/index.asp.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Contact John O'Connell, Paperwork 
Reduction Act Coordinator, Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA, 
300 12th Street, SW., Room 112, Washington, DC 20250-3700, (202) 720-
0345.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Job Applicant Medical Information.
    OMB Number: 0583-xxxx.
    Type of Request: New information collection.
    Abstract: FSIS has been delegated the authority to exercise the 
functions of the Secretary as specified in the Federal Meat Inspection 
Act (FMIA) (21 U.S.C. 601, et seq.), the Poultry Products Inspection 
Act (PPIA) (21 U.S.C. 451, et seq.), and the Egg Products Inspection 
Act (EPIA) (21 U.S.C. 1031, et seq.). These statutes provide that FSIS 
is to protect the public by verifying that meat, poultry, and egg 
products are safe, wholesome, unadulterated, and properly labeled and 
packaged.
    FSIS is requesting a new information collection addressing 
paperwork and recordkeeping requirements regarding the medical history 
and status of certain FSIS job applicants. Under 5 CFR 339, FSIS is 
requesting to collect the medical information of applicants to certain 
positions in the Agency to assist FSIS in making a determination of 
their medical fitness for duty. Applicants for certain positions in 
FSIS are to complete, and have their physician/medical examiner 
complete, FSIS Forms Certificate of Medical Examination and Report of 
Medical History.
    FSIS has made the following estimates based upon an information 
collection assessment:
    Estimate of Burden: FSIS estimates that it will take respondents an 
average of 165 minutes to complete and submit both of these forms to 
FSIS.
    Respondents: FSIS job applicants and physicians/medical examiners.
    Estimated No. of Respondents: 2,400.
    Estimated No. of Annual Responses per Respondent: 2 (each form 
once).
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 4,500 hours.
    Copies of this information collection assessment can be obtained 
from John O'Connell, Paperwork Reduction Act Coordinator, Food Safety 
and Inspection Service, USDA, 300 12th Street, SW., Room 112, 
Washington, DC 20250-3700, (202) 720-5627,(202)720-0345.
    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of FSIS' functions, 
including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the 
accuracy of FSIS' estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of 
information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions 
used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and, (d) ways to 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. Comments may be sent to both John O'Connell, 
Paperwork Reduction Act Coordinator, at the address provided above, and 
the Desk Officer for Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory 
Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, Washington, DC 20253.
    All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the 
request for OMB approval. All comments will also become a matter of 
public record.

Additional Public Notification

    Public awareness of all segments of rulemaking and policy 
development is important. Consequently, in an effort to ensure that the 
public and in particular minorities, women, and persons with 
disabilities, are aware of this notice, FSIS will announce it on-line 
through the FSIS Web page located at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/regulations/2007_Notices_Index/index.asp.
    FSIS also will make copies of this Federal Register publication 
available through the FSIS Constituent Update, which is used to provide 
information regarding FSIS policies, procedures, regulations, Federal 
Register notices, FSIS public meetings, recalls, and other types of 
information that could affect or would be of interest to our 
constituents and stakeholders. The update is communicated via Listserv, 
a free e-mail subscription service consisting of industry, trade, and 
farm groups, consumer interest groups, allied health professionals, 
scientific professionals, and other individuals who have requested to 
be included. The update also is available on the FSIS web page. Through 
Listserv and the web page, FSIS is able to provide information to a 
much broader, more diverse audience.
    In addition, FSIS offers an e-mail subscription service which 
provides automatic and customized access to selected food safety news 
and information. This service is available at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/news_and_events/email_subscription/. Options range from recalls to 
export information to regulations, directives and notices. Customers 
can add or delete subscriptions themselves and have the option to 
password protect their account.

    Done at Washington, DC, on: February 6, 2007.
Bryce Quick,
Acting Administrator.
 [FR Doc. E7-2194 Filed 2-8-07; 8:45 am]
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