[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 85 (Tuesday, May 3, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 24918-24919]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-10612]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Office of Workers' Compensation Programs


Division of Coal Mine Workers' Compensation Proposed Renewal of 
Existing 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 pre-clearance 
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 Office of Workers' Compensation Programs is soliciting 
comments concerning the proposed collection: Miner's Claim for Benefits 
under the Black Lung Benefits Act (CM-911) and Employment History (CM-
911A). 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 5, 2011.

ADDRESSES: Mr. Vincent Alvarez, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 
Constitution Ave., NW., Room S-3201, Washington, DC 20210, telephone 
(202) 693-0372, fax (202) 693-1447, 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 Coal Mine Workers' Compensation 
administers the Black Lung Benefits Act (30 U.S.C. 901 et seq.), which 
provides benefits to coal miners totally disabled due to pneumoniosis, 
and their surviving dependents. A miner who applies for black lung 
benefits must complete the CM-911 (application form). The completed 
form gives basic identifying information about the applicant and is the 
beginning of the development of the black lung claim. The applicant 
must complete a CM-911a at the same time the black lung application 
form is submitted. This form when completed renders a complete history 
of employment and helps to establish if the miner currently or

[[Page 24919]]

formerly worked in the nation's coal mines. The person filing for 
benefits must have worked in the nation's coal mines or be a survivor 
of a coal miner as described under Title IV of the Federal Mine Safety 
and Health Act of 1977, as amended, in order for benefits to be 
pursued. This information collection is currently approved for use 
through September 30, 2011.
    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 
for the extension of this currently approved information collection in 
order to carry out its responsibility to administer the Black Lung 
Benefits Act.
    Agency: Office of Workers' Compensation Programs.
    Type of Review: Extension.
    Title: Miner's Claim for Benefits under the Black Lung Benefits Act 
(CM-911) and Employment History (CM-911A).
    OMB Number: 1240-0038.
    Agency Number: CM-911 and CM-911A.
    Affected Public: Individuals or households.

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                                                                                                        Number of         Number of
                     Form                       Time to complete        Frequency of response          respondents        responses       Hours  burden
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CM-911........................................                30  once............................             4,000             4,000             3,000
CM-911A.......................................                40  once............................             5,500             5,500             3,667
                                               ------------------
    Totals....................................  ................  ................................             9,500             9,500             6,667
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    Total Respondents: 9,500.
    Total Annual Responses: 9,500.
    Average Time per Response: 42 minutes.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 6,667.
    Frequency: On occasion.
    Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0.
    Total Burden Cost (operating/maintenance): $1,771.
    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: April 27, 2011.
Vincent Alvarez,
Agency Clearance Officer, Office of Workers' Compensation Programs, 
U.S. Department of Labor.
[FR Doc. 2011-10612 Filed 5-2-11; 8:45 am]
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