[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 42 (Tuesday, March 4, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Page 12226]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-04703]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Office of Workers' Compensation Programs


Division of Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation; Proposed 
Extension 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 (OWCP) is soliciting 
comments concerning the proposed collection: Pre-Hearing Statement (LS-
18). A copy of the proposed information collection request can be 
obtained by contacting the office listed below in the address section 
of this Notice.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted to the office listed in the 
addresses section below on or before May 5, 2014.

ADDRESSES: Ms. Yoon Ferguson, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 
Constitution Ave. NW., Room S-32331, Washington, DC 20210, telephone 
(202) 693-0701, fax (202) 693-1447, 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. 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.
    Title 20, CFR 702.317 provides for the referral of claims under the 
Longshore Act for formal hearings. This Section provides that before a 
case is transferred to the Office of Administrative Law Judges the 
district director shall furnish each of the parties or their 
representatives with a copy of a pre-hearing statement form. Each party 
shall, within 21 days after receipt of each form, complete it and 
return it to the district director. Upon receipt of the forms, the 
district director, after checking them for completeness and after any 
further conferences that, in his/her opinion, are warranted, shall 
transmit them to the Office of the Chief Administrative Law Judge with 
all available evidence which the parties intend to submit at the 
hearing. This information collection is currently approved for use 
through June 30, 2014.
    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 refer cases for formal hearings.
    Agency: Office of Workers' Compensation Programs.
    Type of Review: Extension.
    Title: Pre-Hearing Statement.
    OMB Number: 1240-0036.
    Agency Number: LS-18.
    Affected Public: Insurance carriers and self-insurers.
    Total Respondents: 3,100.
    Total Annual Responses: 3,100.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 527.
    Estimated Time per Response: 10 minutes.
    Frequency: On occasion.
    Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0.
    Total Burden Cost (operating/maintenance): $1,612.
    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: February 21, 2014.
Yoon Ferguson,
Agency Clearance Officer, Office of Workers' Compensation Programs, 
U.S. Department of Labor.
[FR Doc. 2014-04703 Filed 3-3-14; 8:45 am]
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