[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]
 BILLING CODE 4510-CF-P