[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 236 (Thursday, December 8, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 76763-76764]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-31439]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Office of the Secretary


Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission for OMB 
Review; Comment Request; Occupational Safety and Health Act Variance 
Regulations

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Labor (DOL) is submitting the Occupational 
Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) sponsored information 
collection request (ICR) titled, ``Occupational Safety and Health Act 
Variance Regulations,'' to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 
for review and approval for use in accordance with the Paperwork 
Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.).

DATES: Submit comments on or before January 9, 2012.

ADDRESSES: A copy of this ICR with applicable supporting documentation; 
including a description of the likely respondents, proposed frequency 
of response, and estimated total burden may be obtained from the 
RegInfo.gov Web site, http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain, on the 
day following publication of this notice or by contacting Michel Smyth 
by telephone at (202) 693-4129 (this is not a toll-free number) or 
sending an email to [email protected].
    Submit comments about this request to the Office of Information and 
Regulatory Affairs, Attn: OMB Desk Officer for the Department of Labor, 
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Office of 
Management and Budget, Room 10235, Washington, DC 20503, Telephone: 
(202) 395-6929/Fax: (202) 395-6881 (these are not toll-free numbers), 
email: [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michel Smyth by telephone at (202) 
693-4129 (this is not a toll-free number) or by email at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Occupational Safety and Health Act 
allows covered employers to apply for four different types of variances 
from the requirements of OSHA standards. Employers submit variance 
applications that specify alternative means of complying with the 
requirements of applicable OSHA standards to the Agency. The OSHA has 
developed a proposed information collection for four different 
optional-use forms (OSHA Forms 5-30-1, 5-30-2, 5-30-3, and 5-30-4) that 
employers might use as templates in applying for variances. While use 
of the forms would be optional, employers are required to submit an 
application that includes all elements specified in regulations 29 CFR 
part 1905 in order to receive consideration for a variance.
    This information collection is subject to the PRA. A Federal agency 
generally cannot conduct or sponsor a collection of information, and 
the public is

[[Page 76764]]

generally not required to respond to an information collection, unless 
it is approved by the OMB under the PRA and displays a currently valid 
OMB Control Number. In addition, notwithstanding any other provisions 
of law, no person shall generally be subject to penalty for failing to 
comply with a collection of information if the collection of 
information does not display a valid OMB Control Number. See 5 CFR 
1320.5(a) and 1320.6. For additional information, see the related 
notice published in the Federal Register on February 8, 2010 (75 FR 
6220).
    Interested parties are encouraged to send comments to the OMB, 
Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs at the address shown in 
the ADDRESSES section within 30 days of publication of this notice in 
the Federal Register. In order to help ensure appropriate 
consideration, comments should mention OMB ICR Reference Number 201109-
1218-001. The OMB is particularly interested in comments that:
     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 submission of responses.
    Agency: Occupational Safety and Heath Administration (OSHA).
    Title of Collection: Occupational Safety and Health Act Variance 
Regulations.
    ICR Reference Number: 201109-1218-001.
    Affected Public: Private Sector--Businesses or other for-profits.
    Total Estimated Number of Respondents: 12.
    Total Estimated Number of Responses: 12.
    Total Estimated Annual Burden Hours: 366.
    Total Estimated Annual Other Costs Burden: $0.

Michel Smyth,
Departmental Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2011-31439 Filed 12-7-11; 8:45 am]
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