[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 230 (Monday, December 1, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Page 71130]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-28199]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Office of Workers' Compensation Programs


Proposed Renewal of Existing Collection; Comment Request

AGENCY: Division of Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation, Office 
of Workers' Compensation Programs, Labor.

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: 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 address section of this Notice.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted to the office listed in the 
addresses section below on or before January 30, 2015.

ADDRESSES: Ms. Yoon Ferguson, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 
Constitution Ave. NW., Room S-3323, Washington, DC 20210, telephone 
(202) 693-0701, fax (202) 693-1449, 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. Pursuant to section 914(d) of the 
Longshore Act, and 20CFR702.251, 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 approved for use through February 28, 2015.

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: 600.
    Total Annual Responses: 18,000.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 4,500.
    Estimated Time per Response: 15 minutes.
    Frequency: On occasion.
    Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0.
    Total Burden Cost (operating/maintenance): $9,360.
    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized 
and/[f x xsp0]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: November 25, 2014.
Yoon Ferguson,
Agency Clearance Officer, Office of Workers' Compensation Programs, 
U.S. Department of Labor.
[FR Doc. 2014-28199 Filed 11-28-14; 8:45 am]
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