DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Office of the Secretary

Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

May 20, 1997.

The Department of Labor (DOL) has submitted the following public information collection requests (ICRs) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13, 44 U.S.C. Chapter 35). A copy of each individual ICR, with applicable supporting documentation, may be obtained by calling the Department of Labor, Departmental Clearance Officer, Theresa M. O'Malley (202) 219-5096 ext. 143). Individuals who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TTY/TDD) may call (202) 219-4720 between 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. Eastern time, Monday through Friday.

Comments should be sent to Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Attn: OMB Desk Officer for BLS, DM, ESA, ETA, MSHA, OSHA, PWBA, or VETS, Office of Management and Budget, Room 10235, Washington, DC 20503 (202) 395-7316), within 30 days from the date of this publication in the Federal Register.

The OMB 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 submission of responses.

Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.

Title: Ground Control Plan.

OMB Number: 1219-0026 (reinstatement without change).

Frequency: On occasion.

Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.

Number of Respondents: 159.

Estimated Time Per Respondent: 39 hours.

Total Burden Hours: 6,204.

Total Annualized capital/startup costs: 0.

Total annual costs (operating/maintaining systems or purchasing services): $204.00.

Description: Requires operators of surface coal mines to establish and follow a ground control plan to ensure safe working conditions around highwalls and spoil banks. The plan is used to ensure that highwalls and spoil banks are based on sound engineering design and excavated and maintained with suitable equipment.

Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.

Title: Identification of Independent Contractors.

OMB Number: 1219-0043 (reinstatement without change).

Frequency: On occasion.

Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.

Number of Respondents: 1,207.

Estimated Time Per Respondent: 8 minutes.

Total Burden Hours: 161.

Total Annualized capital/startup costs: 0.

Total annual costs (operating/maintaining systems or purchasing services): $387.00.

Description: Provides that independent contractors may voluntarily obtain a permanent MSHA identification number by submitting to MSHA their trade name and business address, a telephone number, an estimate of the annual hours worked by the contractor on mine property for the previous calendar year, and the address of record for the service of documents upon the contractor.

Agency: Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Title: International Price Program -- U.S. Export Price Indexes.

OMB Number: 1220-0025 (revision).

Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.

Total Burden Hours: 22,039.

Total Annualized capital/startup costs: 0.

Total annual costs (operating/maintaining systems or purchasing services): 0.

Description: The International Price Program Indexes, a primary economic indicator, are used as measures of movement in international prices, indicators of inflationary trends in the economy, and sources of information used to determine U.S. monetary, fiscal, trade, and commercial policies. They are also used to deflate the Gross Domestic Product.

Agency: Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Title: International Price Program -- U.S. Import Price Indexes.

OMB Number: 1220-0026 (revision).

Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.

Total Burden Hours: 23,884.

Total Annualized capital/startup costs: 0.

Total annual costs (operating/maintaining systems or purchasing services): 0

Description: The International Price Program Indexes, a primary economic indicator, are used as measures of movement in international prices, indicators of inflationary trends in the economy, and sources of information used to determine U.S. monetary, fiscal, trade, and commercial policies. They are also used to deflate the Gross Domestic Product.

Agency: Employment and Training Administration.

Title: JTPA Title III Quarterly Status Report.

OMB Number: 1205-0323 (reinstatement with change).

Frequency: Quarterly.

Affected Public: State, Local or Tribal Government.

Number of Respondents: 59.

Estimated Time Per Respondent: 4.5 hours.

Total Burden Hours: 1,062.

Total Annualized capital/startup costs: 0.

Total annual costs (operating/maintaining systems or purchasing services): 0.

Description: The information will be used to assess the Job Training Partnership Act Statewide financial and partnership data. Participant and financial data will be used to respond to congressional oversight, prepare budget requests, and make annual reports to Congress per statute.

Agency: Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

Title: Methylene Chloride 29 CFR 1910.1052.

OMB Number: 1218-0179 (revision).

Frequency: On occasion.

Affected Public: Business or other for-profit, Federal government, State and Local governments.

Number of Respondents: 92,000.

Average Time per Respondent: 5.7 hours.

Total Burden Hours: 524,593.

Total Annualized capital/startup costs: 0.

Total initial annual costs (operating/maintaining systems or purchasing services): $46,187,980.

Description: The Methylene Chloride Standard and its information collection requirements are designed to provide protection for employee from adverse health effects associated with occupational exposure to methylene chloride (MC). The standard requires employers to monitor employee exposure to methylene chloride and inform employees of monitoring results. If monitoring results are above the standard's 8- hour Time Weighted Average permissible exposure limit (PEL) or the short term excursion limit (STEL), then employers must also inform employees of the corrective action that will be taken to reduce employee exposure to or below the 8-hour PEL or STEL. Employers may be required to provide medical surveillance to employees who are or may be exposed to MC. Employers are required to provide information and training to employees on the following: health effects of MC, specifics regarding use of MC in the workplace, the contents of the standard, and means the employee can take to protect themselves from overexposure to MC. Employers are to allow employee access to their exposure monitoring and medical records, and under certain circumstances employers are to transfer monitoring and medical records to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.

Theresa M. O'Malley,
Departmental Clearance Officer.

[FR Doc. 97-13616 Filed 5-22-97; 8:45 am)