[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 202 (Wednesday, October 19, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 64976-64977]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-26939]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Office of Workers' Compensation Programs


Division of Longshore and Harbor 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 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 Office of Workers' Compensation Programs (OWCP) 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 December 19, 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) 693-2447, Email [email protected]. 
Please use only one method of transmission for comments (mail, fax, or 
Email).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Background

    OWCP 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 employer in loading, unloading, 
repairing, or building a vessel. In addition, several acts extend the 
Longshore Act's coverage to certain other employees. Pursuant to 
section 914(d) of the Longshore 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 has 
been designated 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

[[Page 64977]]

approved for use through December 31, 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 extension of approval of this 
information collection in order to carry out its responsibility to meet 
the statutory requirements to provide compensation or death benefits 
under the Act to workers covered by the Act.
    Agency: Office of Workers' Compensation Programs.
    Type of Review: Extension.
    Title: Notice of Controversion of Right to Compensation.
    OMB Number: 1240-0042.
    Agency Number: LS-207.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
    Total Respondents: 700.
    Total Annual Responses: 17,500.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 4,375.
    Estimated Time per Response: 15 minutes.
    Frequency: On occasion.
    Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0.
    Total Burden Cost (operating/maintenance): $9,012.50.
    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: October 13, 2011.
Vincent Alvarez,
Agency Clearance Officer, Office of Workers' Compensation Programs, 
U.S. Department of Labor.
[FR Doc. 2011-26939 Filed 10-18-11; 8:45 am]
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