[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 57 (Tuesday, March 24, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16662-16663]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-06146]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Office of the Secretary


Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission for OMB 
Review; Comment Request; Occupational Noise Exposure Standard

ACTION: Notice of availability; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Labor (DOL) is submitting this Occupational 
Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)-sponsored information 
collection request (ICR) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 
for review and approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act 
of 1995 (PRA). Public comments on the ICR are invited.

DATES: The OMB will consider all written comments that agency receives 
on or before April 23, 2020.

ADDRESSES: Written comments and recommendations for the proposed 
information collection should be sent within 30 days of publication of 
this notice to www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain. Find this particular 
information collection by selecting ``Currently under 30-day Review--
Open for Public Comments'' or by using the search function.
    Comments are invited on: (1) Whether the collection of information 
is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the 
Department, including whether the information will have practical 
utility; (2) if the information will be processed and used in a timely 
manner; (3) the accuracy of the agency's estimates of the burden and 
cost of the collection of information, including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions used; (4) ways to enhance the quality, 
utility and clarity of the information collection; and (5) ways to 
minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are 
to respond, including the use of automated collection techniques or 
other forms of information technology.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Frederick Licari by telephone at 202-
693-8073, TTY 202-693-8064, (these are not toll-free numbers) or by 
email at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 
1970 (OSH Act) (29 U.S.C. 651 et seq.) authorizes information 
collection by employers as necessary or appropriate for enforcement of 
the OSH Act or for developing information regarding the causes and 
prevention of occupational injuries, illnesses, and incidents (see 29 
U.S.C. 657). The OSH Act also requires OSHA to obtain such information 
with minimum burden upon employers, especially those operating small 
businesses, and to reduce to the maximum extent feasible unnecessary 
duplication of effort in obtaining said information (see 29 U.S.C. 
657). The collection of information specified in the Noise Standard (29 
CFR 1910.95) protects workers from suffering material hearing 
impairment. The collection of information contained in the Noise 
Standard includes conducting noise monitoring; notifying workers when 
they are exposed at or above an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 
decibels (dBa); providing workers with initial and annual audiograms; 
notifying workers of a loss in hearing based on comparing audiograms; 
maintaining records of workplace noise exposure and workers' 
audiograms; and allowing workers access to materials and records 
required by the Standard. For additional substantive information about 
this ICR, see the related notice published in the Federal Register on 
November 21, 2019 (84 FR 64349).
    This information collection is subject to the PRA. A Federal agency 
generally cannot conduct or sponsor a collection of information, and 
the public is generally not required to respond to an information 
collection, unless the OMB approves it 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 that does not display a valid 
OMB Control Number. See 5 CFR 1320.5(a) and 1320.6.
    DOL seeks PRA authorization for this information collection for 
three (3) years. OMB authorization for an ICR cannot be for more than 
three (3) years without renewal. The DOL notes that information 
collection requirements submitted to the OMB for existing ICRs receive 
a month-to-month extension while they undergo review.
    Agency: DOL-OSHA.
    Title of Collection: Occupational Noise Exposure Standard.
    OMB Control Number: 1218-0048.
    Affected Public: Private Sector: Businesses or other for-profits.
    Total Estimated Number of Respondents: 215,624.
    Total Estimated Number of Responses: 22,630,728.
    Total Estimated Annual Time Burden: 2,240,636 hours.
    Total Estimated Annual Other Costs Burden: $34,812,006.
    Authority: 44 U.S.C. 3507(a)(1)(D).


[[Page 16663]]


    Dated: March 18, 2020.
Frederick Licari,
Departmental Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2020-06146 Filed 3-23-20; 8:45 am]
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