[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 210 (Tuesday, October 30, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 54617-54618]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-23674]
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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Office of Workers' Compensation Programs
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 pre-clearance
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). 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: Waiver of Service by Registered or Certified Mail for
Employers and/or Insurance Carriers (LS-801) and Waiver of Service by
Registered or Certified Mail for Claimants and Authorized
Representatives (LS-802). 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 December 31, 2018.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by mail, delivery service, or by
hand to Ms. Yoon Ferguson, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution
Ave. NW, Room S-3323, Washington, DC 20210; by fax (202) 354-9647; or
email to [email protected]. Please use only one method of
transmission for comments (mail/delivery, fax or email). Please note
that comments submitted after the comment period will not be
considered.
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
[[Page 54618]]
employer in loading, unloading, repairing, or building a vessel. In
addition, several acts extend the Longshore Act's coverage to certain
other employees.
The Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act (LHWCA), at 33
U.S.C. 919(e), requires that any order rejecting or making an LHWCA
award (a compensation order) be filed in the appropriate district
director's office of the Office of Workers' Compensation Programs
(OWCP), and that copies be sent by registered or certified mail to the
claimant and the employer. The implementing regulations at 20 CFR
702.349(b) allow parties and their representatives to waive certified
mail service and consent to electronic service instead. The
compensation order notifies Employers/Carriers that payment of LHWCA
compensation is due within 10 days of filing. If compensation is not
paid within that time frame, an additional 20% in compensation must be
paid [see LHWCA Sec. 914(f)].
The information collected will be used by OWCP to more efficiently
serve compensation orders by email instead of by registered or
certified mail. Form LS-801 will be completed by the employer/insurance
carrier and/or an authorized representative and forwarded to the
District Director indicating waiver of service by registered or
certified mail and designation of receipt by email instead. The LS-802
will be completed by the claimants and/or an authorized representative
and forwarded to the District Director indicating waiver of service by
registered or certified mail and designation of receipt by email
instead. This information collection is currently approved for use
through February 28, 2019.
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 and survivors covered by the Act.
Agency: Office of Workers' Compensation Programs.
Type of Review: Extension.
Title: Request for Electronic Service of Orders--Waiver of
Certified Mail Requirements.
OMB Number: 1240-0053.
Agency Number: LS-801 and LS-802.
Affected Public: Claimants, employers, large insurance companies,
and representatives.
Total Respondents: 9,240.
Total Annual Responses: 9,240.
Estimated Total Burden Hours: 770.
Estimated Time per Response: 5 minutes.
Frequency: On occasion.
Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0.
Total Burden Cost (operating/maintenance): $0.
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 25, 2018.
Yoon Ferguson,
Agency Clearance Officer, Office of Workers' Compensation Programs, US
Department of Labor.
[FR Doc. 2018-23674 Filed 10-29-18; 8:45 am]
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