[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 211 (Tuesday, November 1, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 67481-67482]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-28233]


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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

[[Page 67482]]

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 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 January 3, 2012.

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

    The Office of Workers' Compensation Programs (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.
    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 sixteen days of the final payment of 
compensation with the District Director in the compensation district in 
which the injury occurred. The form requests information regarding the 
beginning and ending dates of compensation payments, compensation 
rates, reason payments were terminated and types and amount of 
compensation payments. Filing of the report is mandatory, and failure 
to do so is subject to a civil penalty. This information collection is 
currently approved for use through January 31, 2012.

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 Final Payment or Suspension of Compensation 
Benefits.
    OMB Number: 1240-0041.
    Agency Number: LS-208.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
    Total Respondents: 600.
    Total Annual Responses: 21,000.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 5,250.
    Estimated Time per Response: 15 minutes.
    Frequency: On occasion.
    Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0.
    Total Burden Cost (operating/maintenance): $16,590.
    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 26, 2011.
Vincent Alvarez,
Agency Clearance Officer, Office of Workers' Compensation Programs, 
U.S. Department of Labor.
[FR Doc. 2011-28233 Filed 10-31-11; 8:45 am]
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