DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Occupational Safety and Health Administration

[Docket No. ICR97-31]

Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection, Comment Request; Portable Fire Extinguishers (29 CFR 1910.157(f)(16)) -- Hydrostatic Test Certification Record

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 (PRA 95) (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 impact of collection requirements on respondents can be properly assessed. Currently, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is soliciting comments concerning the proposed extension of the information collection requirement contained in 29 CFR 1910.157(f)(16). The Agency 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 partial 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 equality, 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.

DATES: Written comments regarding this notice must be submitted on or before September 5, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Comments must be submitted to the Docket Office, Docket No. ICR97-31, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, Room N-2625, 200 Constitution Ave., Washington, D.C. 20210. Telephone: (202) 219-7894. Written comments, 10 pages or fewer in length, may also be transmitted by facsimile to (202) 219- 5046.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael B. Moore, Directorate of Safety Standards Programs, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, Room N-3605, 200 Constitution Ave., NW., Washington, D.C. 20210. Telephone: (202) 219-722, ext. 115. Copies of the referenced information collection request are available for inspection and copying in the Docket Office and will be mailed to person who request copies by telephoning Theda Kenney at (202) 219-8061, ext. 100 or Barbara Bielaski at (202) 219-8076, ext. 142. For electronic copies of the information collection request on Portable Fire Extinguishers (29 CFR 1910.157(f)(16)) -- Hydrostatic Test Certification Record, contact OSHA's WebPage on the Internet at http://www.osha.gov/ and click on "standard."

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

OSHA requires that you hydrostatically test portable fire extinguishers every five to 12 years depending upon the type of shell construction. Upon request, evidence must be presented indicating that such tests had been conducted at the time intervals shown in Table L-1 of 29 CFR 1910.157. OSHA requires the employer to provide, as evidence of the test, the date of the test, the signature of the person performing the test, and the serial number or other identifier of the extinguisher that was tested. The employer must retain the evidence of testing for the test interval OSHA requires for the extinguisher (five to 12 years) or until the extinguisher is removed from service.

II. Current Actions

This notice require an extension of the current Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval of the inspection certification requirements contained in Portable Fire Extinguishers (29 CFR 1910.157(f)(16)) -- Hydrostatic Test Certification Record (currently approved under OMB Control No. 1218-0210).

Type of Review: Extension.

Agency: U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

Title: Portable Fire Extinguishers (29 CFR 1910.157(f)(16)) -- Hydrostatic Test Certification Record.

OMB Number: 1218.

Agency Number: Docket Number ICR-97-31.

Affected Public: Business or other for-profit; Federal, state, local or tribal governments.

Number of Respondents: 1,275,500.

Frequency: Varies.

Average Time per Response: 0.25 hours.

Estimated Total Burden Hours: 318,750.

Total Annualized Capital/Startup Costs: $0.

Signed at Washington, D.C., this 26th day of June 1997.

John F. Martonik,
Acting Director, Directorate of Safety Standards Program.

[FR Doc. 97-17632 Filed 7-3-97; 8:45 am)